National humiliation inspired one of the world's great sporting events

As the 2025/26 series begins, the curious origins of the Ashes and why cricket is baked into our Anglo-Australian cultural heritage despite the odd bust-up

The tension in the packed crowd of 20,000 people at the Oval cricket ground that afternoon in August 1882 was almost unbearable. As England inched with agonising slowness towards the modest target set by Australia, the pressure became too much for some spectators. One man reportedly died of a heart attack, while another chewed right through the handle of his umbrella.

The strain also told on the England batsmen, who kept losing wickets at regular intervals, most of them to Frederick Spofforth, the Australian bowler known as “The Demon” for his unrelenting hostility. “Spofforth was no bowler; he was a hypnotist,” said England player Bi