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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.” 

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1997 Ashes

The 1997 Ashes series in England was a closely contested battle, ultimately won 3–2 by the Mark Taylor -led Australian team, who retained the urn for the fifth consecutive time. Michael Atherton was the English skipper.

Top Performers: 

  • Top Run-Scorers:
    • Steve Waugh (Aus): 454 runs
    • Matthew Elliott (Aus): 451 runs
    • Alec Stewart (Eng): 452 runs
  • Top Wicket-Takers:
    • Glenn McGrath (Aus): 36 wickets
    • Shane Warne (Aus): 24 wickets
    • Andy Caddick (Eng): 24 wickets 

Legacy: 

  • Australia retained the Ashes for the fifth consecutive time (since 1989).
  • McGrath’s 8/38 at Lord’s remains one of the greatest Ashes bowling performances.
  • Steve Waugh’s twin centuries at Headingley solidified his reputation as a world-class middle-order rock.
  • England showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency and struggled under pressure.
  • This series was part of Australia’s long era of Ashes dominance, which would continue until 2005.

 

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