The Ashes: From Cricket's Symbolic Funeral to the Resurrection of Football Rivalry

 The Ashes: From Cricket's Symbolic Funeral to the Resurrection of Football Rivalry

The Ashes From Cricket's Symbolic Funeral to Football Rivalry (Image-Getty)

In 1882, after a devastating loss to Australia in the Oval, a British newspaper wrote a mournful elegy referring to the "death" of English cricket. The symbolic funeral of English cricket involved the cremation of a cricket bail. It is from those ashes that the intense rivalry between England and Australia in Test cricket, known as "The Ashes," emerged.

The Ashes has captivated cricket lovers around the world. The Test matches between Australia and England are considered one of the greatest rivalries in cricket history and the pinnacle of Test cricket.

However, at one time, the term "The Ashes" didn't only signify cricket matches. It was also used in football. There was a series called "The Ashes" in football, but it was played between Australia's neighboring rival, New Zealand, rather than England. The lost football Ashes are being resurrected on the field. It has been announced that the football Ashes will be contested in October this year. The venue for this battle between Australia and New Zealand will be the iconic Wembley Stadium in London.

"The Ashes" is the name given to the lost football rivalry. The ashes of this historic rivalry, which had been lost for 70 years, were discovered in April. Australian football officials found a small brass case inside a decorated wooden box. Inside the case, there were the burnt remains of two cigarette butts from the first football match between Australia and New Zealand played on Australian soil in 1923. This case is similar to a razor case owned by a soldier in the Gallipoli battlefield during the First World War. It is also associated with the lost "Anzac Soccer Trophy" of football in 1954.

On April 25th, Australia announced the discovery of the "Ashes of Football." The date holds significant historical importance. The soldiers of Australia and New Zealand fought in Gallipoli during the First World War. In their memory, April 25th is observed as "ANZAC Day." Trevor Thompson, an Australian football historian, considered the 70-year-old discovered ashes as the greatest treasure of Australian football.

Andrew Pragnell, the head of New Zealand Football, said, "This can be an epic battle. It will be held this year. I hope it will be organized in the coming days as well. It will be the first of its kind since 1954."

James Johnson, the CEO of Football Australia, stated, "This trophy is a fantastic part of football history. It represents the sporting camaraderie between the two countries."