THE ASHES OF CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16365, 2 March 1921, Page 3

THE ASHES OF CRICKET.

There arc really three sets of ashes of cricket- (says the " Australasian ”>. 1. The original “Ashes" are svmbolical, and are the “ real ’’ ashes. It was in 3 882. after the famous victor'- of V. L. Murdoch's team at the Oval bv seven runs, that tho “Sporting Times” first used th» term, which has now become historic. Tn that paper appeared tlie following epitaph.— In Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket. "Which Died at Ihe Oval on 29th August, 1882, Deeply lamented by * a large circle of Sorrowing Friends and > Acquaintances. Jv.l.P. N.B.—The body will be cremated and the Ashes fallen to Australia. the Hon Ivo Bligb now Lord Darn ley. on leading the next team, to Australia, said “he had come to recover the 2. The second set are those contained :n an urn presented bv the late Mr Henry Skinner to the lat-e Mr Frank Laver, when manager of the Australian Eleven of 1909. When the Australian Eleven left for England. Mr Skinner said to Mr Laver. “If you win the ashes I will give you an urn to put them in.” Australia won the rubber, and Mr Laver brought tho stumps used in the final match 1o Australia. These were burned, and thc ashes are enclosed in the urn which Mr Skinner gave to Mr Laver. 3 The third set are Enclosed in a. gold ball presented by Mr V. M'Bean, the oldest member of tho M.C.C. committee, to Mr T. PRwley, manager of the last English team, on winning the fourth Test match in Melbourne, in February, 3912. This match decided the rubber in England's favour, and E. Smith, the wicketkeeper, took one of the stumps used' in tlie game and burned •t. The ashes were enclosed in the ball.