Cricket is a game that is wildly popular around the whole world with many people. It is thought to have over 2 billion global followers and there are many top tournaments where the best players compete. From domestic ones like the Indian Premier League to international World Cup’s, cricket is a game with a rich history of thrilling action.
If you’ve ever wondered what makes cricket more than just a game, you’re in for an engaging revelation. We’re about to journey into one of cricket’s most legendary competitions: The Ashes. Originating in 1882, this series of Test matches between England and Australia holds a history rich in rivalry and remarkable achievements. Moments in Ashes history have shocked and entertained fans worldwide.
The Ashes was born from defeat, as England faced an unexpected loss to Australia on their own soil. The media was aghast. A mock obituary in The Sporting Times stated that English cricket had died, and “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.” Later, a small urn was presented to England’s captain Ivo Bligh, symbolic of the “ashes” of English cricket. This urn, a mere 4 inches high, is what teams have metaphorically fought for, for nearly 140 years.
In essence, the Ashes goes beyond the cricket ball and wicket. It’s about pride, legacy, and the glory of proving oneself superior in this esteemed about cricket game.
One top international cricketing series which always delivers plenty of excitement is the Ashes. Held every few years, it sees England and Australia battle it out over 5 Tests to see who takes home the trophy until the next time. Over the years, there has been lots of drama and intrigue for fans to enjoy. But what are the ten most shocking moments in Ashes history?
10 – Lillee’s Aluminium Bat
Fast bowler Dennis Lillee was a hero in Perth. And all eyes were on him as he wandered out to bat in the 1979 Ashes Test there. What shocked many though was the metal bat he strode out with, which was made from Aluminium. This was highly experimental at the time and caused a stir, not least with English players. Lillee had taken advantage of the fact that there were no actual rules during that time around what bats could be made of. After letting him play for a few overs with this metal bat, a heated exchange erupted when the state of the ball was seen. Lillee eventually agreed to switch to a wooden bat but not before hurling his Aluminium one towards the Aussie dressing room.
09 – Botham vs Chappell – twice!
The Ashes has been full of fiercely patriotic players and tough competitors but some stand out more than others. For England, Sir Ian Botham is one and for Australia it is Ian Chappell. To say these two do not get along is a real understatement! The first bust-up Botham and Chappell had was in 1977 after verbal insults in a Melbourne pub turned physical. This has not been forgotten by either player since and the feud has rumbled on. While this has mostly been in the form of insults and a refusal to speak to one another, it all kicked off again in the 2011 Ashes series. Passing each other by chance in an Adelaide car park, words were exchanged between the two and it got physical again. When you consider they were 55 and 67 years old at this time, it is savage.
08 – Harmison Wide of the Mark
After their 2005 defeat, the Australian team were seriously looking forward to taking revenge in the 2006/07 series. With stars like Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath to call on, this looked likely. It got even more promising for them when you saw an England side in poor form and with key players missing. England needed to start well to stand any chance but this did not happen. Tall fast bowler Steve Harmison steamed in for his first over and sent down a ball so wide that it made its way to skipper Andrew Flintoff at second slip! It was such a shockingly bad delivery that everyone in the whole ground broke out into laughter.
07 – Pitch Invaders Beware
The 1982/83 Ashes was held in Australis with the first Test being at Perth. In truth, it was pretty dull and this saw one fan invade the pitch to lighten things up a bit. After running on the field, the fan gave Aussie fielder Terry Alderman’s hat a clip before running back towards the stands. Alderman did not take kindly to this though and set off in hot pursuit. Alderman eventually got his man with a wild NFL style tackle and the fan was then ejected from the ground. The incident was not only shocking but also bad for Alderman as he dislocated his shoulder in bringing his man down.
06 – Boon Takes Drinking To Another Level
The Aussie cricket team in the 1980’s and 1990’s was full of big characters like Allan Border and Merv Hughes. One other larger than life personality for the Aussie’s in this time was batsman David Boon. Known for his colourful language, moustache and boisterous character, Boon also liked to drink. A lot. This led to a shocking moment when he was travelling to England for the 1989 Ashes series. During the 23-hour flight, he drank a massive 52 cans of beer! Even more amazingly, he walked off the plane perfectly fine the other end and went on to perform brilliantly in all Ashes games, with a batting average of 55!
05 – Controversy in 2005
The 2005 Ashes series was a classic which all fans will recall. The game at Trent Bridge though will be remembered for the shocking rant Aussie star Ricky Ponting went on after being run out. But what had got his goat so much? It all stemmed from a quick single he tried to take which did not work as the English fielder threw his stumps down before he made ground. The issue he had was that it was an English sub fielder who did this and appeared to be an expert at runout’s who England brought on specifically for this. Upon leaving the field, Ponting exploded into an expletive laden rant with the fans and TV cameras watching.
04 – Bradman’s Final Duck
When news broke that the 1948 Ashes Series would be Sir Don Bradman’s last, all of Australia was in despair. ‘The Don’ was an exceptional player and leader who had been behind much of their success up until then. Striding out in his last game at The Oval, Bradman got a standing ovation from all present. What added extra spice to the mix was that Bradman needed to score only 4 runs to take his Test batting average of over 100 with him into retirement. While many thought this was a foregone conclusion, it did not pan out that way. Bradman was bowled for a score of 0 on his second ball to finish with an annoying 99.94 average!
03 – Ball of the Century
Shocking moment in Ashes history can leave their mark for bad or good reasons. This entry in our list is certainly there for good reasons. It was just shocking because the ball Shane Warne bowled was so amazing. Cut to the 1993 Ashes series and Warne was lining up to deliver his first ever Ashes ball in his debut Ashes Test against Mike Gatting. What happened next left everyone stunned! Warne floated a ball well to the outside of Gatting’s leg sump which the English player left well alone. Little did he know that it would turn almost square after pitching to bowl him clean out. We all know that Warne went on to have a fabulous career but this ball in his debut Ashes Test is still his crowning glory.
02 – Shady Dealings At Botham’s Test?
The 1981 Ashes series is most famous for a Test at Headingly known in England as ‘Botham’s Test’. This is widely seen as one of the greatest Ashes games ever due to how it all unfolded. England looked dead and buried in the game until a sterling all-round performance from Sir Ian Botham delivered a win. This also changed the course of the whole Ashes series in the remaining games. A shocking revelation came out after the game though that two of the Aussies star players (Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh) had placed bets during play for England to win at 500/1. Although this was denied at the time, it has been admitted since which has left fans wondering if some Aussie players let this match slide so they could profit from their loss?
01 – Bodyline
Most cricket fans will agree that this is the most shocking Ashes moment in history still. It saw England travel to Australia in 1932/33 with the might of Sir Don Bradman to stop. With this in mind, they came up with a controversial bowling strategy which is still much debated today. It saw English captain Douglas Jardine instruct his bowlers to bowl at the Aussie batsman’s head and bodies, rather than at the wicket. The idea was to physically intimidate them so much that they would be unable to play properly and end up getting out. Harold Larwood led the charge over the whole 5 Tests for England in days where batsmen did not wear helmets for protection from short balls. Although England did in this Ashes series 4-1, many did not accept the victory due to how it was gained
As you can see, there have been plenty of shocking and dramatic moments in the history of the Ashes. When you bring together such proud nation’s as England and Australia, you sort of expect it after all! With the Ashes still going strong as a competition, it is highly likely we will see more action added to this list over time.
A Chronicle of Wicket Legends
One of the most captivating discussions surrounding the Ashes concerns the bowlers who’ve made a name for themselves in this historic series. The most wickets in Ashes history is a revered list, showcasing the epitome of talent in cricket ashes.
Shane Warne, the Australian legend, tops the list. His incredible skill and charisma on the field made him a nightmare for English batsmen. Then there’s England’s Ian Botham, whose wicket-taking abilities and fiery spirit electrified the Ashes series during his time. His name is often mentioned when discussing legendary players who have stamped their mark on this prestigious tournament.
The wicket records offer an intriguing insight into the strategies and gameplay that have evolved over the years. From spin to seam, the variety in bowling styles and tactics shows the ever-changing nature of this enduring rivalry.
Unveiling the Quirks: Little-Known Facts About the Ashes
When it comes to the Ashes, there’s always more than meets the eye. Sure, we all know about the iconic urn and the legendary players, but what about the other lesser-known aspects of this esteemed competition? If you’re intrigued, you’re in the right place. We’re going to dig into some fascinating facts that will make you see the Ashes in a new light.
Firstly, did you know that the Ashes series wasn’t initially considered a Test match series? Indeed, it gained its Test status retrospectively, adding another layer to its rich history.
Moving on, let’s talk about rain, which has its own chapter in the Ashes folklore. Not just any rain, but rain so heavy it can stop play. In the 1968 Ashes at The Oval, the game seemed like a sure win for England. That was until a torrential downpour made the pitch unplayable, sealing a draw. So yes, even Mother Nature has a stake in the Ashes results.
Now, have you ever wondered about the most runs scored in a single Ashes series? The title goes to Don Bradman, an Australian cricket legend, who scored 974 runs during the 1930 series. Talk about setting the bar high!
Next, let’s spotlight the women. Yes, there’s a Women’s Ashes series, which started in 1934. While not as old as the men’s series, it carries its own sense of prestige and has contributed its share of shocking moments to the Ashes chronicle.
Lastly, the Ashes series has its share of superstitions. Some players never step onto the field without their lucky charms, be it a special pair of socks or a cherished bat. It’s a testament to the psychological elements at play in this intense rivalry.
So there you have it—some intriguing, lesser-known facts that only add to the grandeur of the Ashes. It’s not just about the urn or the legendary players; it’s a complex tapestry of history, emotion, and yes, even superstition.