The Ashes (Historical)

The legendary Ashes rivalry officially began in 1882 after Australia defeated England on English soil at The Oval. A mock obituary was published in a British newspaper stating that English cricket had died and 'the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia,' sparking the historic tradition.

The physical Ashes urn is surprisingly small, standing only about 15 centimeters (6 inches) tall, and is made of terracotta. It is believed to contain the ashes of a burnt cricket bail, though some historians argue it might be the ashes of a burnt cricket ball or protective covering.

Despite being the trophy for the fierce rivalry between England and Australia, the delicate original urn is permanently housed at the MCC Museum at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. The winning team is awarded a crystal replica, as the original is deemed too fragile to travel or be lifted by players.

The legendary Australian batsman Donald Bradman holds the record for the most runs in Ashes history, amassing an astonishing 5,028 runs over his career. His batting average in Ashes matches remains a statistical anomaly in the sport of cricket that has never been matched since.