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.”
To mark 200 years since European settlement in Australia, a one-off Bicentennial Test was held between Australia and England at the SCG in early 1988.
Although not part of an Ashes series, the match was granted official Test status and featured full-strength sides.
Played on a placid pitch with soaring temperatures, the game ended in a high-scoring draw, but it provided valuable experience ahead of the 1989 Ashes and celebrated cricket’s deep historical ties between the two nations.
Key Performances
Australia:
England:
1965 2nd Test: Cowdrey guides win over New Zealand (Lords)
Bairstow and Bell rescue England: 3rd Test, Day 2 (Lords)
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