The Ashes.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19118, 10 July 1930, Page 8

The Ashes.

By T. \V. Reese. QNE of the most interesting mementoes in the large room of the Lord’s pavilion, is the urn containing the “Ashes,” presented to Ivo Bligh (afterwards 'the Earl of Darnley) when the Englishmen, of whom he was the leader, defeated the Australians on their own soil in 1883. The Earl o f Darnley, who was President of the M.C.C. in 1900, died in 1927, bequeathing the urn to the M.C.C. So the mythical “Ashes” are not a myth, and in a practical sense are not lifted) for they remain at Lord’s. But they are merely an incident as compared to the “Ashes” as representing ' the final result of the tests. Whence the phrase, “the Ashes”? In the 1882 game on the Oval, the Australians obtained their first win over England on English soil. Spofforth had demoralised the cream of England’s batsmen, and, according to C. W. Alcock, Surrey’s secretary, “Men who were noted for their coolness at critical times were shaking like a leaf and some even fainted. At times there was an awful silence.” In addition, one man died from the heart strain. A few days after the six runs defeat, a London paper came out with the following obituary notice : IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE of ENGLISH CRICKET, Which died at the Oval on August 29, 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. RIP. N. 8.: The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia. The idea so tickled the minds of the Australians that when Ivo Bligh and his merry men won the rubber in the following 3 r ear, a bevy of young ladies were deputised to wait upon Bligh and present the urn with some ashes therein to him. There was a romantic sequel to this event. In a later match on the tour, at Melbourne, Ivo Bligh \vas injured on the hand, and one of the party of young ladies referred to, a Miss Morphy, gave first aid treatment. Soon afterwards they were married, and today she is the widowed Countess of Darnley, noted for her hospitality and keen interest in Kentish cricket.