The Ashes 2009

Who could forget that great day in 2005, when England reclaimed the Ashes after a dire period of eighteen years, during which Australia reigned supreme as the world best cricket team.

Yes, it's almost exactly four years since the Ashes were last played for in England, and it was then that the home nation proudly did their duty.

Yes, England expected, and England got. It was enough to make Nelson proud.

The country which invented the worlds greatest game had won the world's greatest tournament with a 2-1 victory.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long, because in January 2007 Australia got them back again in Sidney. In fact, it was a 5-0 whitewash. Oh woe, oh woe!

Still, the time for crying in our beer is over. The Aussies are back, and revenge will be sweet!

"Come on England!!" Show the lionhearts!

Both the Lords and Oval Tests are sold out, with limited availability at Headingley for £20 adults and £5 for juniors (excellent value) and at Edgebaston for £125. Tickets are still available at Cardiff from £25 for adults and £15 for juniors.

Ensure bone fide tickets are purchased by going through this official site.

Have a great week whichever venue you manage to attend. Enjoy your cricket!

Congratulations England! Ashes Regained - and one special hat saved!

This lens was a joy to create, and a joy to follow over the past few weeks. Thanks to all the fantastic and entertaining contributions.

Looking back at that first week in Cardiff, things were not boding well, but the last few days at the Oval have shown the true mettle of our boys, and proud they should be indeed. Commiserations to the tourists - worthy opponents - good fellows all!

Raise those glasses folks - Cheers!

It's all because of this little pot. Inside this urn is the cremated remains of a set of bails (or possibly other cricket related items like stumps or a ball).

On 29th August 1882, at the Oval, England lost to Australia for the first time on home soil. The next day the Sporting Times carried an obituary rueing the day that English cricket died and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia".
It reads: In Affectionate Remembrance of English cricket, which died at the Oval
on 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.

A few weeks later, an English team, captained by Ivo Bligh (later Lord Darnley), set off to tour Australia, vowing to return with "the ashes". As a result he was presented with this small urn reportedly holding his quest.

The 1882 defeat had a profound effect (perhaps too seriously) on English cricket, but it was a very exciting game.

The Australians were all out for only 63 runs in their first innings. But their ace bowler Fred Spofforth ensured an English collapse when he took 14 English wickets for only 90 runs.

Their equally ace wicketkeeper, Jack Blackham, kept the ball as a souvenir and it is now on show at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (pic left).

The Ashes urn is only four inches tall, and made out of terracotta. It is normally held at the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum at lords. Replicas are held aloft by the winning sides.

Since 1999 a Waterfords Crystal representation of the urn has been presented to the winners.

Whoever wins the Ashes, the rivalry and sportsmanship is to be savoured. It is a wonderful showcase of tradition, skill and sportsmanship which brings pleasure to millions around the world.

Andrew Strauss (capt - pictured),
Alastair Cook,
Ravi Bopara,
Kevin Pietersen,
Paul Collingwood,
Ian Bell,
Matt Prior (wk),
Andrew Flintoff,
Stuart Broad,
Graeme Swann,
James Anderson,
Graham Onions,
Monty Panesar.