The Ashes is a biennial event between the cricketing sides of England and Australia. England are the current holders having won the 2005 Ashes held in England.

The 2006/2007 Ashes will be held in Australia.

The Ashes is names after the 1882 series as an article was published in The Sporting Times after Australia won the ashes stating that 'English cricket had died and the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia'. The following England tour to Australia was dubbed 'the quest to regain The Ashes'.

A small urn made of terracotta was presented to the England captain - Ivo Bligh by a group of women from Melbourne after England won the test series.

It is reported that the urn contains a set of burnt bails.

The urn is no longer used as the trophy it is permanently located at the MCC museum at Lords. Currently the winners of each Ashes series is presented a Waterford Crystal trophy.