The Ashes, 2013-14 Photos

A legend born of an obituary

November 19, 2013 15:45

Reginald Shirley Brooks, a journalist with The Sporting Times, would have never thought that his mock obituary for English cricket would lay the foundation for one of the most legendary cricketing rivalries. (AFP Photo)

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Reginald Shirley Brooks, a journalist with The Sporting Times, would have never thought that his mock obituary for English cricket would lay the foundation for one of the most legendary cricketing rivalries. It read: In affectionate remembrance of English cricket which died at The Oval, 29th August 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. R.I.P. N.B. The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia. (AFP Photo)
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Ivo Bligh, later known as Lord Darnley, captained England to a 2-1 victory in the subsequent series in Australia and, according to many cricket histories, he was presented with an urn containing the Ashes of a bail used in the third Test by a group of Melbourne women. And from here started the oldest cricket contest. (AFP Photo)
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So far 65 Ashes series have been played. Earlier, it was played every year but from 1890 onwards, the Ashes was played every alternate year. However the two World Wars had disrupted the format but it soon got back on track after they were over. So far Australia have won it 32 times while England have taken it back 28 times. Clearly, the Aussies have been the dominant side in Ashes history, winning 131 Tests to England's 97 with 88 draws. (AFP Photo)
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Sir Donald Bradman, who made his Test debut during the 1928-29 Ashes, still tops the list of highest scorers with 5028 runs in 37 Tests. His domineering batting compelled England captain Douglas Jardine to devise a strategy of short-pitched fast bowling directed at batsmen's bodies. Bradman played his final innings in the 1948 Ashes where he was out for a duck. (AFP Photo)
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In the bowling department, Australia's leg-spin legend Shane Warne tops the list with 195 wickets in 36 Tests followed by Dennis Lillee's 167 wickets and Glenn McGrath's 157 wickets. Both Warne and McGrath bowed out of the Test cricket after they avenged the humiliating 2005 Ashes defeat in 2007. However, one bowler deserves a special mention. English off-spinner Jim Laker became the first bowler to pick ten wickets in an innings when he bundled the Australians in the second innings of the 4th Test in 1956 at Manchester. (AFP Photo)
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The world saw some great contests between the two countries in the following years before Australia began the dominant side in the Ashes. They retained the trophy for 16 years. This was the time when Australia were on top of their game with players like Steve Waugh, McGrath, Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne in their wing. However, things changed in 2005. (AFP Photo)
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The 2005 Ashes is said to be the best cricketing contest of the recent times. England, under the leadership of Michael Vaughan, pushed their performance and luck by a few notches and won the series 2-1. An all-round show by Andrew Flintoff and reverse swing by pacer Simon Jones played a crucial role in England's victory. (AFP Photo)
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But it was a short-lived success with a hurt, and consequently, ruthless Australia crushing a lacklustre England 5-0 in 2006/07. It was Flintoff who was leading the English side. (AFP Photo)

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