BDW39T The Australian XI of 1882, the cricket team toured England and won the only test at the Oval, the start of the Ashes legend. Image shot 1882. Exact date unknown.
The Australian XI of 1882, the cricket team who toured England and won the only test at the Oval, the start of the Ashes legend. (Image by Getty Images)

An 'obituary' in The Sporting Times on the 'death' of English cricket, which appeared after England lost the 1882 Test Match against Australia. The bales were burnt and the ashes placed in an urn to become 'The Ashes', for which the Australia and England cricket teams compete.

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An obituary declares the death of English cricket
(Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The England team for the second Test of the 1899 Ashes series against Australia. The Australians won the match by 10 wickets. All the other four matches of the series were drawn. A print from The Book of Cricket, a Gallery of Famous Players, edited by CB Fry, George Newnes Ltd, London, c1899.

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(Credit: The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Tibby Cotter of Australia bowling to Wilfred Rhodes of England in the second Ashes Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, 30 December 1911 to 3 January 1912. England won the match by eight wickets. (Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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(Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The English cricket team during a team photo at the start of their Ashes campaign, 1928. SMH SPORT Picture by HH FISHWICK. (Credit: Fairfax Media/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)

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(Credit: Fairfax Media/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)

Don Bradman of Australia in bat while wicketkeeper Godfrey Evans and Bill Edrich field for England during the first Ashes Test match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England, 1948. Australia won by eight wickets. (Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive)

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(Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive)

'The Ashes', a funeral trophy for which English and Australian cricket teams compete. It is kept in the Long Room of the pavilion at Lord's cricket ground in London. Picture dated 1951. (Credit: Central Press/Getty Images)

The Ashes urn
(Credit: Central Press/Getty Images)

Mr and Mrs O’Neill, Mr and Mrs Williams and Mr Deane wait for day two of the third test to commence at the SCG, 5 January 1951. SMH Picture by Frank Burke.

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A victorious England team carries their captain Ray Illingworth off the field after clinching the Ashes by a 62 run win in the 7th Test Match in Sydney.

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(Credit: Central Press/Getty Images)

Two captains, Australia's Ian Chappell, left, and England's Ray Illingworth, toast the end of The Ashes Series at the Fifth Test at The Oval, during Australia's 1972 tour of England, 10 -16 August 1972.

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(Credit: Fairfax Media/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)

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Ian Chappell of Australia drops the ball from Derek Pringle of England during First Ashes Test match in Perth, Australia, 1982. The match ended in a draw. (Credit: Adrian Murrell/Allsport/Getty Images)

(Credit: Adrian Murrell/Allsport/Getty Images)
(Credit: Adrian Murrell/Allsport/Getty Images)
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