Test matches in the period 1877 to 1883 were organised somewhat differently from international cricket matches today. All were between Australian and English sides, the teams were rarely representativ
The legendary W. G. Grace, who played Test cricket until he was aged 50.
The Australian team of 1878
Australian cricket eleven, 1880
The 1882 Australian cricket team
The Ashes
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The Ashes is a Test cricket series played biennially between England and Australia. The term originated in a satirical obituary published in a British newspaper, The Sporting Times, immediately after
History of Test cricket from 1877 to 1883
…won four, and two matches were drawn. By 1883, the tradition of England-Australia tours was well established, that year having concluded the first Ashes series. When England lost at home for the first time in 1882, The Sporting Times lamented the death of cricket in the mother country and declared that…
The Ashes urn, made of terracotta and about 10.5 cm (4") tall, is reputed to contain the ashes of a burnt cricket bail.
Fred Spofforth, "The Demon Bowler", was instrumental in Australia's 1882 victory over England with 14 wickets for 90.
The death notice that appeared in The Sporting Times
The earliest published photo of the Ashes urn, from The Illustrated London News, 1921