A fire that was never started, instead it was burning since the world was turning.
Introduction to The Ashesh
Cricket is a game that is followed by a huge number of people around the globe. Cricket with its interesting nature attracts viewers around the globe. Cricket is not only about bat and ball or runs and wicket, instead it is about the spirit that lies in the competition and serves us with the joy of playing the sport with our close ones. Many rivalries take place like Border Gavaskar Trophy, Pataudi Trophy, Freedom Trophy etc, but when the talks of friendly but the cutthroat competition takes place, nothing comes close to the oldest rivalry of two nations in the sports in the name of ” The Ashesh”.
The Ashesh, one of the Greatest rivalries in sports. It’s unparalleled, it’s Agony, It’s Ecstasy. Over 140 years of uncompromising struggle.
Held after every two year the competition sees the nail biting finishes, big cheers and many exciting moments between England and Australia.
History of The Ashesh
The test series played between England and Australia is termed as “The Ashesh”. The First and foremost edition was played way back in 1882-83.
The Big deal about the archrivals goes way back in 1882 where it all started.
In a game Featuring England and Australia at The Oval London in 1882, the English side had to face defeat. This was the very first instance where England had to face defeat in a test match on home soil. Prior to this game England had never lost a single game on their home track. English media called it ” the death of English Cricket”.
Back in 1882 English print media named after “The sporting Times” published an article after England’s defeat against Australia. Few lines that caught the Attention of that article states ” English cricket has died, and that dead body will be cremated and the Ashesh is being taken to Australia”.
England were scheduled to Tour Australia in 1883. Before leaving for the tour The English Captain Ivo Bling stated that he along with his team are heading to Australia to bring The Ashesh back home. English Media called it “Regain the Ashesh”.
Australia and England played a total of three test matches in the series. England came out on Top beating Australia by 2 – 1 in the series.
It is believed that after England defeated Australia in the first two test matches few women from the Melbourne burnt the bails that were used to play the second test match of that particular test series.
After burning the bails women collected those Ashesh of the bails burnt and locked the same into a small trophy. The same trophy was presented to the English captain before the commencement of the third test.
The Ashesh began from here. Since then, Australia and England take on each other to battle it out onto the field. The trophy means pride to both the teams contesting and holds a beautiful part of history with it. It’s not any other trophy, it’s a friendly battle between two teams to outsmart the opposition to earn pride.
The original trophy which was gifted by Melbourne women’s to the English captain Ivo Bling is kept in MCC Museum of Lord’s. Every time England and Australia take on each other a replica of that particular trophy is presented for every new series being held.
Clash of The Ashesh
A total of seventy-three Ashesh series have taken place till date. Australia being the dominant side have been able to win Thirty-four times out of seventy-three times. England, felling just short by two trophies, are able to win the title for thirty-two times.
In the recently concluded Ashesh series held in England, England were the dominant side with rain coming down to save the Aussies and help them regain the Ashesh.
Ashesh over the year have served its viewers with many exciting moments in the form of great catches, world class batting displays, unplayable deliveries, intense bowling spells and thrilling moments.
Ashesh cricket never fells short of thrills. Watching an Ashesh game is like watching a web series that gets exciting with its every upcoming episode. The game gets exciting with its every passing day. The result of an Ashesh game cannot be determined based on two or three days , it always goes down to wire which keeps fans and cricketing pundits on the edge of their seats.
Games of The Ashesh
One of the best games of the Ashes history has to be the Headingly that took place in 2019 under ICC World Test Championship. England on the verge of losing the game with wickets tumbling in the middle. But the man Ben Stokes had other plans. With the least number of wickets remaining Stokes started taking the attack back to the opposition.
Stokes, with his unbeaten 135 off 219 Deliveries snatched victory from the mouth of the Aussies. The inning Stokes played was unbelievable. Watching him bat in that particular inning was like watching a master who knows how to get the job done for his side.
The Ashesh promises to serve us with the best moments that will have its own moments making its way towards the pages of history. With every series coming our way Ashesh assures its viewers to script the chapters of history with its iconic moments.
Taking fans into consideration who are such an important part of this beautiful game. Irrespective of where the series is held the fans come out and cheer their teams with their whole heart. Their passion towards the game is unmatchable. It would be not false to call them the heart and soul of the sport.
Conclusion
To conclude Ashesh cricket is not just a sporting event that takes place between two nations infact its about its a celebration of everything that makes us fall in love with this beautiful game. The twenty two players taking field they dont just represent their particular nation.
Infact they put their best foot forward for the each and every person involved in the sport in any form. Ashesh with its tradition is a series that holds everything that a cricket loving human being can ask for.
