Ashes series

Regular international cricket contest between England and Australia, so called because the trophy consists of the burnt bails from an 1882 game between the countries at [The Oval]?. The custom arose when, after this game, The Sporting Times printed the following "obituary" to English cricket:

"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."