Australia have retained The Ashes, with the visitors escaping with a draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford and putting any chance of an England series win to bed.
After getting over the line in dramatic fashion at Edgbaston and Lord’s, a disappointing loss at Headingley cast some doubt over Australia’s chance, but the rain-affected clash in Manchester was enough to hold a 2-1 series lead ahead of the final Test at The Oval.
Australia have now been in possession of the Ashes ‘trophy’ since 2017, coming away with two series wins and two drawn series during that time period.
Pat Cummins and his side will remain the holders of the urn until the 2024/25 summer, with England scheduled to travel to Australia for another five-match series.
What is The Ashes urn? Australia vs England trophy explained
The history of The Ashes urn dates back to August 1882, when the Aussies defeated England for the first time in a Test match at Kensington Oval in London.
Following the defeat, the English press and public were left disappointed by the result and branded it ‘the death of cricket’ in the country it was first created.
In a mock obituary notice in the Sporting Times, the term ‘Ashes’ was mentioned for the first time, beginning the history of the long-standing rivalry.
“In Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket which died at the Oval on 29th August, 1882, Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. R.I.P. N.B.—The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.”
The urn would first be made when England toured Australia later that year for a Test series and it has remained the official trophy for The Ashes ever since.
Made from red terracotta and standing at approximately 10.5cm high, the long-standing belief is that the de-facto cricket trophy contains the ashes of a burnt cricket bail.
Who won The Ashes?
At this stage, neither Australia or England have ‘won’ The Ashes. However, due to their previous series wins, the Aussies will retain the urn once again due to earning a 2-1 series lead, with the worst possible result now a 2-2 draw.
Australia have now been in possession of the urn since 2017.