This week saw the Ashes 2009 series kick off with the first test match out of five being held in Cardiff, the fact that the Welsh were hosting it was not greeted with the best response by all fans but there is still an incredible following as England aim to repeat their home soil performances from 2005 when England last won the Ashes from arch rivals Australia.

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The Ashes is only contested between two countries, as previously mentioned those countries are England and Australia, the history of the Ashes in an incredibly interesting one. Starting back in the 19th century (1882) and has been played every two years as the two countries take turns in who hosts the competition.

The Ashes history is that back in 1882 an obituary was published in an English newspaper claiming that English cricket had died after losing a match against the Australians on home soil for the very first time and the obituary also stated that “the body would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”, when England were due to travel back to Australia to play them again, it was dubbed again in the media that England were going to regain the Ashes. When England arrived in Australia, they were given a small urn by some local women and it is rumoured that the ashes are to be something cricket related, such as a ball, a bail or a stump.

The urn that you see when the victorious team loft it above their head is only a replica of the original urn which is kept away. The current holders are Australia after demolishing England 5-0 back in 2007. Australia are also comfortable the most successful team in the Ashes.

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Posted on July 22nd, 2009 by Trix
Filed under: Test Match