Paragraph on “What are The Ashes?” complete paragraph for Class 9, Class 10, Class 11 and Class 12
What are The Ashes?
The Ashes are the remains of a cricket stump, kept in a wooden urn, that was symbolically `cremated’ when the English cricket team lost the Test Match of 1882 to the visiting Australian team, at Kennington Oval. It is one of the most highly prized trophies in Cricket.
At this match in 1882 Australia scored 63 in its first innings and England countered with 101. The Australians were all out for 122 in the second innings, and when England went in to bat the second time, needing only 85 runs for victory, it seemed that the hosts would be triumphant. But the English failed against the brilliant bowling of Frederick R. Spofforth and scored only 77 runs, giving Australia the victory by a seven-run margin.
The following day, an epitaph, with a black-edged border, appeared in The Sporting Times of London. It read: ‘In Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket Which Died at the Oval on 29th of 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 ashes were placed in an urn and duly taken. They have been going backwards and forwards following Test Matches between the two countries, ever since.