The History of The Ashes: How a Cricket Rivalry Gave Birth to an Iconic Urn
Few rivalries in world sport carry the prestige, history, and emotional weight of The Ashes. Contested between England and Australia since 1882, the series is not just about winning cricket matches, it is about pride, tradition, and over a century of unforgettable moments. But behind the rivalry lies an even more fascinating story: the origin of the legendary Ashes urn, one of cricket’s most symbolic and mysterious artifacts.
What Are The Ashes? A Rivalry Born in 1882
The Ashes began with a shock, one that sent English cricket into national mourning.
On 29 August 1882, Australia defeated England at The Oval. Until that point, Australia had never beaten England on English soil. The loss triggered widespread disbelief, but it was a satirical obituary printed in The Sporting Times that changed cricket history forever.
The mock obituary read:
"In Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket… The body will be cremated, and the ashes taken to Australia."
This humorous jab captured the public imagination. Soon, the English press declared that England would travel to Australia to "regain the Ashes", and thus the name of cricket’s greatest rivalry was born.
The Origin of the Ashes Urn
While the idea of "The Ashes" started with a newspaper joke, the physical urn came shortly afterward, and its exact history has always been wrapped in mystery.
A Gift Born From a Tour Friendship
During the 1882–83 England tour of Australia, captain Ivo Bligh was determined to "recover the Ashes" as promised. During his stay in Melbourne, he developed a close friendship with Florence Morphy, daughter of the Melbourne Club’s president.
Legend says that after England won the series, a group of Melbourne women, including Florence, presented Bligh with a tiny terracotta urn as a light-hearted symbol of England’s victory. Inside it was said to be the ashes of a burnt item.
The urn became a personal keepsake for Bligh and went back to England with him.
What’s Inside the Ashes Urn?
The contents have been debated for well over a century. The most common theories include:
Burnt bails from a friendly match
A burnt cricket ball or ball fragments
Burnt veil or ribbon belonging to one of the Melbourne women
A combination of symbolic ashes rather than a single object
The MCC Museum, where the urn is displayed, has never officially confirmed the contents. This ambiguity has only added to the mystique.
Key Facts About the Creation of the Ashes Urn
1. The Urn Is Only 11 cm Tall
Despite being one of sport’s most iconic trophies, the Ashes urn is surprisingly small, little more than the size of a perfume bottle.
2. The Series Trophy Is NOT the Urn
Teams do not play for the original urn. Instead, they compete for a replica crystal trophy. The original urn never leaves the MCC Museum at Lord’s.
3. A Love Story Is Part of the Origin
Ivo Bligh later married Florence Morphy, one of the women believed to have presented the urn. Their connection is often viewed as part of the urn’s folklore.
4. The Urn Was Not Originally Meant to Be a Trophy
It was a personal, humorous keepsake. Bligh kept it in his home for decades, not imagining it would become a global symbol.
5. The Inscription Is a Poem
A small handwritten label on the urn includes a verse:
"When Ivo goes back with the urn, the urn;
Studds, Steel, Read and Tylecote return, return;
The welkin will ring loud,
The great crowd will feel proud,
Seeing Barlow and Bates with the urn, the urn."
This poem playfully commemorated England’s 1882–83 tour and their mission to reclaim The Ashes.
How The Ashes Became a Permanent Fixture
Though the rivalry began in 1882, The Ashes did not become an official, continuous contest until years later.
Step-by-Step Evolution
1882 – Australia beats England; the Sporting Times publishes its obituary.
1882–83 – Bligh receives the famous urn in Melbourne.
1890s–1930s – The term "The Ashes" slowly becomes cemented in cricket culture.
1927 – After Bligh’s death, his widow donates the urn to the MCC.
1950s onward – The Ashes becomes one of cricket’s most followed contests.
Today, the series is held roughly every two years, alternating between host nations.
Modern Ashes Traditions
The rivalry has evolved, but many traditions remain deeply rooted:
The Players Compete for a Trophy, Not the Real Urn
The current winners receive a Waterford Crystal trophy, introduced in 1998.
The Urn Stays at Lord’s
The original urn is too fragile to travel and is displayed at the MCC Museum.
Alternating Host Nations
England hosts during their summer (June–August)
Australia hosts during their summer (November–January)
Commentary & Culture
Ashes commentary is passionate and often humorous, echoing the rivalry’s long history.
5 Fascinating Ashes Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
1. Australia’s First Win Sparked a National Sensation
Australian fans lit bonfires and paraded through Melbourne after the 1882 victory.
2. The Urn Might Contain a Woman’s Veil
One theory suggests the ashes were made by burning a piece of a woman’s black veil, possibly Florence Morphy’s.
3. Ivo Bligh’s Title Changed the Urn’s Path
When Bligh became the 8th Earl of Darnley, the urn became part of his noble estate.
4. The Original Urn Was Nearly Forgotten
It only gained prominence again when the MCC displayed it after Bligh’s death.
5. Replicas Are Used in Exhibitions Worldwide
Because the original is fragile, most museums display carefully crafted replicas.
Why The Ashes Still Matter Today
The Ashes endure because they are more than cricket matches. They represent:
Historical pride between two nations
Generational storytelling passed down from fans
Sportsmanship mixed with fierce competition
Timeless cricketing moments, from legendary innings to unforgettable spells
Every series writes a new chapter in a rivalry that began with a joke but became one of cricket’s greatest traditions.
A True Symbol of Cricket’s Soul
From a newspaper mock obituary to a tiny terracotta urn delivered as a playful gift, The Ashes have evolved into a cultural phenomenon. The urn itself, fragile, mysterious, and steeped in folklore, remains one of the most recognisable symbols in world sport.
The rivalry continues to captivate millions, proving that while players change and eras shift, the spirit of The Ashes is eternal.
If you are passionate about cricket history, iconic sports artifacts, or the deeper meaning behind the world’s greatest rivalries, the story of The Ashes is one that never stops giving.
