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.” 

1934 Ashes

Bill Woodfull led Australia on the 1934 Ashes series with a quest to repair the damage done by the prior Bodyline series and win back the Ashes. He was successful; winning two of the matches and losing one, with the other two tests drawn. Bob Wyatt led England, with Cyril Walters standing in for Wyatt in the first Test.

England levelled the series at Lord's. This 2nd Test is known as Verity's Match after left-arm spinner Hedley Verity took 15 wickets in the match on a sticky wicket. After draws in the third and fourth Tests, a win in the decisive final Test at the Oval returned the Ashes to Australian control.

The last two Tests of the series were notable for the batting of Bill Ponsford and Don Bradman, who shared partnerships of 388 at Headingley (scoring 181 and 304 respectively) and 451 at the Oval (scoring 266 and 244 respectively).

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