50 Fun Facts About The Ashes

Which two countries contest the Ashes?

England and Australia play for an urn that a group of local women first gave to England's captain during the 1882–83 tour in Australia.

In which newspaper did the 1882 mock obituary for English cricket appear?

The Sporting Times ran the notice saying the body of English cricket would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia, and that line named the series.

Which England cricket supporters' group was formed during the 1994–95 Ashes tour of Australia?

The Barmy Army began as a small group of about 30 backpackers staying in hostels, and it later became a company running tours for fans.

Which Australian fast bowler took 14 wickets in the 1882 Oval Test?

Fred Spofforth is said to have told his team 'This thing can be done' as England chased just 85, and Australia won by seven runs.

Which England player famously crouched to console Brett Lee at the end of the 2005 Edgbaston Test?

Andrew Flintoff's gesture, caught in a famous photograph, came to stand for the respect between the two sides during that series.

Which England captain vowed to 'regain those ashes' on the 1882–83 tour of Australia?

Ivo Bligh's side won two of the three Tests, and he went home with the urn and a new wife, Florence Morphy, whom he met on that tour.

The Ashes urn's contents are most likely the ashes of what?

A wooden bail: in one telling, a bail was burnt after a Christmas match at Rupertswood, a Victorian estate hosting England's players, and kept in a perfume bottle.

Which cricket club owns the original Ashes urn?

Marylebone Cricket Club received the urn as a private gift from a captain's widow, so it has never been the series' official trophy.

The Ashes Trophy presented since 1998-99 is made of what?

Waterford Crystal: a silver replica was first planned, but the glassmaker offered a crystal one free of charge, as the original urn was too fragile to travel.

Roughly how tall is the original urn?

About 10 centimetres: the little urn seldom leaves Lord's, yet it was flown to Australia to accompany the 2006–07 series.

What happens to the Ashes if a series is drawn?

The holders retain them, which is how Australia kept the urn in 2023: rain washed out the fourth Test's final day with Australia 2–1 up and one Test left.

Which Australian captain regained the Ashes on the 1989 tour of England?

Allan Border's 1989 side began a long reign in which Australia held the urn until England finally won it back in 2005.

In which city was the first-ever Test match played, in 1877?

Melbourne: Australia won that first Test by 45 runs, and when the sides met on the same ground for the 1977 Centenary Test, they won by exactly 45 runs again.

Which fast bowler was named Australia's Test captain shortly before the 2021–22 Ashes?

Pat Cummins took charge after Tim Paine resigned the captaincy just weeks before the series began.

Which England captain adopted the Bodyline tactic in 1932-33?

Douglas Jardine believed Don Bradman struggled against balls rising into his chest, so he built England's attack around fast bowling at the body.

Which England all-rounder came out of Test retirement for the 2023 Ashes after Jack Leach was injured?

Moeen Ali, who had quit Tests in 2021, came back after England's captain sent him a one-word message: 'Ashes?'

Which Nottinghamshire fast bowler was England's main Bodyline weapon in 1932–33?

Harold Larwood refused to apologise for bowling as his captain had told him, never played for England again, and in 1950 emigrated to Australia.

In which city did Australia's Bert Oldfield suffer a fractured skull during the 1932–33 Bodyline series?

Adelaide: as the crowd's booing turned to a howl, England's players looked for escape routes in case spectators invaded the field.

Bradman needed how many runs in his final innings to average exactly 100?

Four: Eric Hollies bowled him second ball for a duck, so his career Test average finished at 99.94.

Which Australian fast bowler bowled Rory Burns with the very first ball of the 2021–22 Ashes?

Mitchell Starc's delivery set the tone as England were bowled out for 147 on the first day at the Gabba.

What nickname was given to Bradman's unbeaten 1948 touring side?

Bradman turned 40 during the tour, his last of England.

Which England batter made a then world-record Test score of 364 at The Oval in 1938?

Len Hutton batted for more than 13 hours as England made 903 for 7 declared and won by an innings and 579 runs.

Which England off-spinner took a record 19 wickets in the 1956 Old Trafford Test?

Jim Laker took nothing until he switched to the Stretford End, from where he took all 19, while Tony Lock managed one wicket.

Who replaced Ian Botham as England captain before the 1981 Headingley Test?

Mike Brearley was recalled after Botham's 12 Tests as captain brought no wins, and he was credited with transforming Botham's fortunes.

At Headingley in 1981, what were England doing when Ian Botham came in and made 149 not out?

Following on: England were five down and still 122 behind when Botham came in, yet they went on to win by 18 runs.

Who took 8 for 43 to win the 1981 Headingley Test for England?

Bob Willis took eight of the last nine wickets as Australia, chasing 130, slumped from 56 for 1 to 111 all out.

Which Australian off-spinner tore a calf at Lord's in 2023, during his 100th consecutive Test?

Nathan Lyon still hobbled out to bat in the second innings, but the injury ended his series and Todd Murphy took over.

In which room at Lord's were Australia's players confronted by spectators during the 2023 Ashes Test?

The Long Room: the clash came as Australia walked through to lunch on the final day, and three of those involved were later suspended.

Who was bowled by Shane Warne's 'Ball of the Century' in 1993?

Mike Gatting stood staring at the pitch for several seconds before accepting he had been bowled and walking off.

Warne's only Test hat-trick came in an Ashes Test at which ground?

The MCG hosted the 1994 Boxing Day Test, where David Boon completed Warne's hat-trick by catching Devon Malcolm.

Which Australian fast bowler missed the 2005 Edgbaston Test after treading on a stray ball in the warm-up?

Glenn McGrath had suggested Australia could win 5–0, but without him England made 407 on the first day and won by two runs.

Who captained England to the 2005 Ashes, their first series win over Australia since 1986–87?

Michael Vaughan was made an OBE in the next New Year Honours, and the rest of his side were appointed MBEs.

Whose maiden Test century of 158 at The Oval secured the 2005 Ashes?

Kevin Pietersen's innings sealed the draw that won back the urn, and Royal Mail marked the win with stamps, including a 68p one for letters to Australia.

Who captained Australia to a 5–0 Ashes whitewash of England in 2006–07?

Ricky Ponting's side won back the urn, and the final Test in Sydney marked the retirements of Shane Warne and Justin Langer.

The 2009 Ashes series opened with a tense draw at a ground in which city?

Cardiff was hosting its first Test, and England's last pair, James Anderson and Monty Panesar, held out for 40 minutes to save the draw.

Which England batter scored 766 runs in the 2010–11 Ashes series in Australia?

Alastair Cook's series began with 235 not out at the Gabba, where England, 221 behind on first innings, batted out a draw.

Which fast bowler took 37 wickets as Australia whitewashed England in 2013-14?

Mitchell Johnson took the wicket that regained the urn at Perth, having James Anderson caught at short leg as Australia went 3–0 up.

Whose unbeaten 135 won the 2019 Headingley Test by one wicket, after England were bowled out for 67 earlier?

Ben Stokes batted on with last man Jack Leach and survived a huge lbw appeal with two needed, which the umpire turned down.

Who became Test cricket's first concussion substitute during the 2019 Lord's Test?

Marnus Labuschagne could bat and bowl in full because the ICC had recently introduced concussion substitutes.

Which Australian batter scored 774 runs in the 2019 Ashes series?

Steve Smith made 774 runs even though concussion from a blow at Lord's kept him out of the Headingley Test.

Which wicketkeeper controversially stumped Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023?

Alex Carey threw down the stumps as Bairstow walked out of his crease believing the over had ended, but the ball was ruled still live.

Who took a wicket with his final delivery in Test cricket to seal the 2023 Ashes series draw?

Stuart Broad had announced his retirement two evenings earlier, saying he wanted his last bat and bowl to be in Ashes cricket.

England's aggressive approach in the 2023 Ashes series was nicknamed what?

Bazball is named after England coach Brendon 'Baz' McCullum, who has said he dislikes the term.

Which Australian city hosted its first Ashes Test in January 2022?

Hobart got the fifth Test when Western Australia's COVID-19 quarantine rules forced the match away from Perth.

Which English city hosted a single Ashes Test at Bramall Lane in 1902?

Sheffield: cricket at Bramall Lane ended in 1973, when Sheffield United turned the ground into a four-sided football stadium.

Which Australian became the first batter to score a Test century before lunch on a first day, in 1902?

Victor Trumper did it at Old Trafford, where Australia won by three runs after England's Fred Tate dropped a vital catch.

Which Australian debutant took 6 for 7 as England were bowled out for 68 in the 2021–22 Ashes?

Scott Boland's burst finished England off inside 81 minutes on the third morning, giving Australia an unassailable 3–0 series lead.

Which Australian hit an 85-ball century on day two of the 2021–22 Ashes opener at the Gabba?

Travis Head's hundred punished an England side that had given David Warner three lives, and put Australia in total control.

Who captained England to their 3–1 Ashes series win in Australia in 2010–11?

Andrew Strauss lasted just three balls in the opening Test, yet England saved that match by reaching 517 for 1 in their second innings.

Which England fast bowler made his Test debut at Lord's during the 2019 Ashes?

Jofra Archer came in after James Anderson injured a calf early in the first Test.