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.”
The first Test match between England and Australia was played at the MCG on March 15,16, 17 and 19 in 1877.
Australia defeated England in what became subsequently known as the first 'Test' match. Opening batsman, Charles Bannerman, scored the first ever century having retired hurt on 165 (including the first “five” in Test cricket for a hit over the fence). Bannerman only played three Tests, and retired in 1879/1880 to become coach of the Melbourne Cricket Club.
Australia won the first Test by 45 runs. Australian captain, Dave Gregory, was given a gold medal by the Victorian Cricket Association whilst his team-mates received silver medals. English skipper James Lillywhite stated after the loss "The win," he said, "was [...] a feather in their cap and a distinction that no Englishman will begrudge them"
The Ashes legend started 5 years later, after the ninth Test, played in 1882.
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