It’s one of the oldest rivalries in the world of sport – England vs Australia. The Ashes. Captivating cricket fans for the summer, five days at a time. There really is nothing else like it.
The Ashes 2023 promises to be one of the most competitive for a long time – with both teams playing bringing their own style. Australia with a traditional, solid brand of test cricket, and England with a new, exciting and risky style – Bazball. It’s going to be an enthralling series, with the Women’s Ashes running concurrently.
We thought we would take some time to look at the history of this unique sporting battle, before looking at how you can be there to witness one of the matches this summer. Getting international tickets for cricket is rarely easy, given the incredible demand.
The Ashes - History
The name ‘The Ashes’ dates back to 1882, when Australia defeated England in a test match at The Oval. The English press didn’t take the loss particularly well, and a satirical obituary was printed in The Sporting Times, which was headed “In Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket, Which Died At The Oval”. It finished with the line “The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”.
Later that year, when England prepared for a tour of Australia, captain Ivo Bligh (later Lord Darnley) promised to “recover those ashes”, and the Australian press latched onto the term. It’s thought that during this tour the first ever Ashes urn was presented to Bligh, with a burnt bail providing the ashes. At least, that’s how the story goes.
Regardless of how it came into being, the urn was donated to the MCC by Darnley’s family when he died, and it has remained in the museum at Lord’s ever since. It is so delicate and small (just 4 inches tall) that it has only been allowed out to Australia twice. A replica was commissioned in 1998, called the Ashes Trophy, which is now awarded to the winning team.
Classic Ashes Moments
There have been some unforgettable moments in the history of The Ashes – Ian Botham’s incredible innings at Headingley when the match seemed lost in 1981, only for Ben Stokes to replicate it in 2019. What about Shane Warne’s first ball in an Ashes test, which clean bowled a perplexed Mike Gatting, later dubbed the Ball of the Century? The entire 2005 series when England finally regained the Ashes after so long – Glenn McGrath injuring himself by treading on a ball in the warm up, and Flintoff consoling Brett Lee after an epic battle at Edgbaston.
How to get Men's Ashes tickets - 2023
The 2023 Ashes will be held at five grounds around the country – Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord’s (London), Headingley (Leeds), Emirates Old Trafford (Manchester) and The Kia Oval (London). If you want to buy tickets for any of these matches to cheer on the England men, you may struggle as the ballots for these games have already closed. But don’t despair as we may be able to help you.
The Barmy Army, the England supporters group, sell tickets from their website, as well as offering early access tickets for future matches. They also provide the incredible atmosphere at England matches, so it’s well worth signing up with them and becoming a member if you’re a cricket fan!
Ashes Tickets via a Hospitality Package
We can provide hospitality ticket packages for the games at Emirates Old Trafford and The Kia Oval – a great way to guarantee your seat:
Emirates Old Trafford
Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of The Sportsbreaks.com Terrace – an incredible view at the boundary edge, as well as a picnic hamper to provide you with lunch and tea, as well as two complimentary drinks at the dedicated bar – from which you can see all of the action! You don’t have to miss a second of the day’s play.
The Kia Oval
This ‘Back Of The Bowl’ hospitality package includes fantastic seats at the back of the JM Finn Stand, with a private terrace area directly behind your seats. You’ll also enjoy complimentary premium drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) as well as breakfast pastries on arrival and lunch and tea hampers. It’s a wonderful way to watch cricket and create an unforgettable day.
There is limited availability for these packages, call us now on 0333 2309115 or contact us to secure your seats for some of the best sporting action in the UK this summer.
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