The Ashes, the legendary cricket series between England and Australia, began in 1877 with the first-ever Test match played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The rivalry quickly grew after England lost to Australia on home soil in 1882, prompting a satirical obituary in The Sporting Times declaring that “English cricket had died, and the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.” 

2013 Ashes

The 2013 Ashes series featured an experienced England squad and an under-pressure Australia. The matches were played at the five top tier English grounds at Lord's, Old Trafford, Trent Bridge, the Riverside Ground and The Oval with the First Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on 10th July 2013. The ultra-modern Riverside ground (Durham) was hosting an Ashes test for the first time.

The 2013 series was the first of two back-to-back Ashes series. The Ashes have being brought forward in the schedule by one year, starting with the 2013/14 series in Australia, due to the clash with the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup that was to be held in Australia in 2015.

The current holders of the Ashes, England, were led by Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke led the touring Australian's for the first time in an Ashes series.

England retained the Ashes after a thumping 3-0 series win. 

Top Performers:

  • Player of the Series (England):
    • Ian Bell – 562 runs, including 3 centuries
  • Top Run-Scorers:
    • Ian Bell (Eng): 562
    • Michael Clarke (Aus): 381
    • Chris Rogers (Aus): 367
  • Top Wicket-Takers:
    • Graeme Swann (Eng): 26 wickets
    • Ryan Harris (Aus): 24 wickets
    • James Anderson (Eng): 22 wickets

Legacy:

  • England’s third consecutive Ashes series win (2009, 2010–11, 2013).
  • Ian Bell was England’s standout batsman in a series where others struggled.
  • Australia’s top order was unstable, leading to a rebuilding phase.
  • The series was controversial: DRS disputes, umpiring errors, and questions around sportsmanship (e.g., the Stuart Broad non-walk incident).

 

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