Playing for the Ashes [antikvár]

AUTHOR'S NOTE In England the term "the Ashes" signifies victory in test cricket (cricket played at the national level) against Australia. This expression arises from the following bit of cricket history: Wien the Australian national team defeated the English national team in a test series in August of 1882, it was the first time England had been defeated on her own soil. In reaction to the loss, the Sporting Times ran a mock obituary in which the paper declared that English cricket had "died at the Oval on 29th August 1882." The obituary was followed by a note informing readers that "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." After that fatal match, the English team left for Australia for another series of matches. Captained by Ivo Bligh, the team was said to be on a pilgrimage to recover the Ashes. After the second defeat of the Australian team, some women from Melbourne took one of the bails [the pieces of wood that lie across three vertical stumps and with them comprise the wicket that the batsman is defending against the bowler), burned the bail, and presented the ashes to Bligh. These ashes now reside at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, the Mecca of Enghsh cricket.