What is the story behind ashes test series?

Answer 1

England lost a series against Australia back in the 1800s and a death notice ad appeared in a london newspaper signifying the death of English cricket and the ashes would be brought back to Australia. The writer of this notice had a small urn that contained a bail (small wooden piece above wickets) burned to ashes signifying the death of English cricket. Therefore the ashes was born and Australia has won the majority of the contests since- so English cricket really did die. Someone remind them to stop inventing sports they can't win!!