Short History Of… The Ashes

Podcast: Short History Of…
Host: John Hopkins (Noiser)
Episode: The Ashes
Date: December 1, 2025

Overview

This episode explores the legendary cricket rivalry between England and Australia known as "The Ashes." It covers the origins of cricket, how a satirical joke birthed the Ashes trophy and rivalry, and highlights memorable moments, scandals, and the enduring cultural impact of this contest. From the first Test matches through world wars, the "Bodyline" scandal, women's cricket, and recent efforts at gender parity, the episode reveals why the Ashes remains an iconic fixture in global sport.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Birth of The Ashes (00:00–06:51)

• Setting: August 29, 1882, The Oval, London — Australia defeats England for the first time on English soil by just 7 runs, a national shock for England.
• The Satirical Obituary: Sporting Times reporter Reginald Shirley Brooks pens a mock obituary for English cricket, ending with:

  "NB: the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." (03:49)

• Lasting Impact: This joke triggers a tradition that evolves into an official, enduring rivalry.

2. Early Cricket: Origins and Growth (06:52–11:55)

• Origins: Cricket develops in rural England in the 16th century, documented as early as 1598.
• Social Inclusivity: Unlike other sports, cricket is played across class divisions.

  "One of cricket's great attributes was that it was played by people from all classes..."
  – Simon Wilde, Cricket Expert (06:51)

• Codification: The first written laws (1744); MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) becomes the standard-setter.
• Expansion: Cricket is exported across the British Empire, including to Australia.

3. Beginnings of International Rivalry (11:56–15:37)

• First International Tours: English cricketers journey to North America and, later, Australia (1861, 1877).
• Birth of the Test Match: England and Australia face off in Melbourne in 1877 — considered the first official Test match.

4. The Ashes Legend and Physical Trophy (15:38–17:57)

• The 1882 Upset: Australia’s win at The Oval cements the rivalry.
• The Ashes Urn: The next year, Melbourne women present England captain Ivo Bly with a tiny urn, supposedly holding "the ashes of English cricket."

  "The ladies, the Melbourne ladies, were said to have either burned a bail or a cricket ball... it was said at the time to be a piece of cricket equipment."
  – Cricket Expert (16:45)

• Symbolism: The urn later becomes the centerpiece of the rivalry, housed at Lord’s Museum.

5. Formalizing the Contest (17:58–20:45)

• Serial Showdowns: Regular tours between England and Australia begin, evolving into four-year cycles.
• Class vs. Merit: England’s teams are divided by amateur/gentleman and professional/player lines, unlike Australia, which selects on merit.

  "The Australians didn't have that problem. They were sort of classless, and I think they had a better team spirit."
  – Cricket Expert (20:45)

6. The Ashes and the World Wars (21:34–22:57)

• War’s Toll: Many players don uniforms instead of cricket whites, with significant loss of life.
• Post-War Recovery: Australia dominates as England struggles to rebuild.

7. The Bradman Era and National Identity (23:17–25:27)

• Sir Donald Bradman: Australia’s batting prodigy, averages nearly 100 runs, terrifies English bowlers.

  "He made huge scores. He broke every record going."
  – Cricket Expert (23:17)

• Class Clashes: Bradman (working class) vs. England’s Douglas Jardine (upper class) personify national identities.

8. The Bodyline Scandal (25:28–31:32)

• Controversial Tactics: In 1932-33, England, led by Jardine, targets batsmen’s bodies to neutralize Bradman.

  "There are two teams up there... one is playing cricket and the other is not."
  – Bill Woodfull, Australian Captain (27:06)

• Diplomatic Spat: The “Bodyline” series sparks public outrage and near-riots, fuels anti-English sentiment in Australia, and prompts new cricket laws banning such tactics.

9. The Women's Ashes (31:33–35:55)

• Trailblazing Women: Women’s national teams contest their own Ashes from 1934 onward, facing both logistical and social challenges.

  "Do not forget... that these women are, after all, women, and it does not seem quite nice to think that they are future mothers charged with... gentleness, refinement and restraint..."
  – The Times Newspaper (early 1930s; Narrator at 33:50)

• On-Field Drama: Hard-fought matches and injuries, but played in good spirits.

10. Post-War to Modern Era (36:21–42:13)

• Global Expansion: Other nations join Test cricket; games reflect the push for independence across the former empire.
• Bradman’s Final Tour: The “Invincibles” tour of 1948 — Australia unbeaten in 32 matches.

  Bradman’s poignant last at-bat: "Out for a duck," retires with an average of 99.94.

• Modernization: Introduction of One Day Internationals (ODIs); televised matches boost the sport’s popularity.

11. Iconic Moments and Rivalry Reborn (42:14–48:34)

• Decades of Dominance: Australia controls the 1990s, but rivalry suffers when contests become unbalanced.

  "If one team kept winning, it would fizzle out, really. It would stop being a spectacle.”
  – Cricket Expert (42:14)

• England’s Miracle at Headingley (1981): Ian Botham’s heroics help snatch an improbable victory, raising national spirits.
• The 2005 Revival: England narrowly reclaims the Ashes after 18 years, with Andrew Flintoff’s performances galvanizing the fans and generating street celebrations.
• Women’s Milestone: The 2005 Ashes also marks a breakthrough for England’s women’s team.

12. The Enduring Appeal (48:34–49:27)

• Why the Ashes Endure: Despite cricket’s shifting landscape (T20, instant gratification), the Ashes’ prestige and tradition continue to captivate.

  "England and Australia won't give up on the Ashes because there's too much history at stake. And it's what defines us... we measure ourselves by how we're doing against the other lot."
  – Cricket Expert (48:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the origins of the rivalry:

  “It is more than a loss. It is a humiliation. When he arrives at the Sporting Times office, he drafts a satirical obituary... With that line, history is made.”
  – Narrator (04:13)

• On the significance of the Ashes urn:

  “The gesture is retold, embellished, and repeated until the urn itself becomes the physical emblem of the rivalry.”
  – Narrator (17:03)

• On Bodyline’s fallout:

  “What began as a cricket series is now a full blown diplomatic crisis.”
  – Narrator (31:32)

• On the rivalry’s unique place in sporting culture:

  “It's just too integral to our ideas of ourselves... the fact that other people are giving up on Test cricket... only adds to the appeal.”
  – Cricket Expert (48:34)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–06:51: The 1882 upset and creation of the Ashes legend
• 11:56–15:37: The birth of the England-Australia Test match rivalry
• 15:38–17:57: The symbolic Ashes urn and its mythology
• 25:28–31:32: The dramatic and divisive Bodyline series
• 31:33–35:55: Women’s cricket enters the Ashes stage
• 42:14–48:34: Iconic Ashes moments, from Botham to Flintoff & the 2005 revival
• 48:34–49:27: Reflections on the lasting magic of the Ashes

Conclusion

This immersive episode vividly details how a single cricket match in 1882 sparked one of sport’s greatest rivalries—driven by class, national identity, scandal, and unforgettable heroics. The Ashes encapsulates both the spirit and the shadows of cricket, enduring through generations thanks to its drama, balance, and the deep pride it inspires in England and Australia. As the sport evolves, the Ashes continues to define cricketing legacy—for both men and women—and remains an essential spectacle on the global sports calendar.