On this day in 1883: The Ashes return to England in form of a burnt bail
The Ashes has grown significantly in recent years, experiencing unmatched growth in terms of ticket sales, and crowd participation. Ivo Bligh, the English captain, gave Lady Janet Clarke the Ashes Bail for the first time in 1883.
The following inscription is written on the ivory blade of the exquisitely carved bail. It was transformed into a letter opener before being presented:
ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA JANUARY 26, 1883 ENGLAND WON BY 69 RUNS THIS BAIL was knocked off by the last ball bowled IN THE MATCH.
The letter was created using a bail from England’s successful 1882–1883 Ashes Test. The legend has it that the other bail was set ablaze, and Ivo Bligh received the ashes in an urn. According to a different story, Bligh received the urn following a friendly game at Sir William Clarke’s house in Victoria.
Spofforth blows England away
After the Australian eleven won the first game by nine wickets and the Englishmen won the second game by an innings and 27 runs. The third game was played in an atmosphere of astounding enthusiasm in Sydney. England posted 247 runs in the first innings, thanks to contributions from Walter Read and wicketkeeper-batter Edmund Tylecote. Australia’s Frederick Spofforth was at his best as he picked up four wickets.
Alec Bannerman did a great job for Australia as he notched up 94 runs with good support from George Giffen. But a four-wicket haul by Fred Morley and Allan Steel picking up three wickets put a closure to Australia’s innings as they were dismissed for 218. The English batters could not do much in the second innings as Spofforth continued his form with the ball. He picked up a seven-wicket haul and put an end to the opposition’s innings at 123.
Though it looked like an easy win for the Australians, England opener Dick Barlow took seven wickets while conceding 40 runs which led to the hosts being bundled out for 83 runs. Ivo Bligh, who had made a promise to “recover the Ashes” after a defeat in the previous year, stood by his words as England won the second Test, and eventually won the 1883 Ashes by 2-1.
