It seems quite fitting that the birth of the Ashes was inspired by one of the original England batting collapses, and one as equally as spectacular as Adelaide in 2006...and countless others down the years. I guess some things never change.
In 1882 Australia came to England to play one test, at the Oval. In a low scoring match, England had to chase 85 to win in its second innings. This proved 8 too many as it crumbled to 77 all out. Fair to say that the good folk in the crowd were far more shocked than the Barmy Army would be today.
The shock defeat prompted the famous obituary in the Sporting Times, written by Reginald Brooks. And so the Ashes were born...
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.
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