The Ashes - whose / what are they?

[srebbe64]

I was in Sweden this week, meeting one of my agents over there. He asked me what the ashes were. I said I didn't have a clue, because I don't like Cricket, but that I'd find out and let him know.

So, someone out there must know - could you enlighten me? Following which, I'll email him. (He's a fellow petrolhead, into fast and powerful cars! In fact, I've persuaded him to come to Le Mans next year!)

[pmanson]

They burnt the stumps (or was it the bails) from the first England v Australia match hence it being called the ashes.


(I could be very wrong though)

[srebbe64]

How peculiarly British! You'd never get such weird eccentricities in, say, France or Germany. There are times when the UK is absolutely brilliant!

[srebbe64]

satch said:

sreb, how come we have been memebers for the same amount of time and you have 4 times the posts as me ? what have I been doing ? 5 hours in the sin bin can't make up for that level of difference. I must have been busy... ramble on...

Easy answer! Generally speaking, I don't actually do anything! I'm a business owner, whose main activity in life is "pretending to be busy". PH is a very useful tool for helping to while away the hours!

[andy mac]

Weren't the Ashes from when England first lost to Australia? It was a symbolic 'death of Ebglish cricket' moment, and the ashes were born.. I think. They spoke about it today in the match.

[nonegreen]

I think the ashes were made from one bail that was taken by a woman, burned and presented to the MCC. It was not the first time England played Australia at all it was I believe 1888 but that might be wrong. A splendid trophy.

[mybrainhurts]

Burning balls..? burning balls...?

What's going on here, then....?

[nonegreen]

mybrainhurts said:

Burning balls..? burning balls...? What's going on here, then....?

You would not understand stick to your sheep

[mybrainhurts]

Baaaaaa

[ZR1cliff]

Here is an interesting story of the 'ashes',also includes an interesting bit about a bounder called Ollie Cromwell who banned the game of Krickett or any game involving sticks and balls,anyone caught playing would have these burnt by the common hangman and turned into ashes,this preceded what we now know to be the 'Ashes'.

www.334notout.com/ashes/ashbegin.htm

[voyds9]

andy mac said:

Weren't the Ashes from when England first lost to Australia? It was a symbolic 'death of Ebglish cricket' moment, and the ashes were born.. I think. They spoke about it today in the match.