The Ashes

cricket · England vs Australia · sports history · rivalry

A funny obituary. In 1882, after Australia beat England at cricket for the first time in England, a British newspaper published a fake obituary saying English cricket had died and its ashes would be taken to Australia. It was meant as a joke, but it stuck!

The ashes nickname. Even though no real ashes were ever burned or sent anywhere, the name caught on. People started calling this rivalry 'The Ashes' because of that silly newspaper article.

England's comeback mission. After reading the obituary, England's cricket captain Ivo Bligh promised to get those ashes back. He led a tour to Australia the very next year, and the quest became famous around the world.

Still playing today. The Ashes matches between England and Australia happen every two years and are considered the most important Test cricket series ever. Players treat winning the Ashes as the greatest honor in the sport.

Born from a joke. Unlike most famous sports rivalries that start from real competition, the Ashes rivalry actually started because of a humorous newspaper article. That makes it totally unique in sports history.