I know absolutely nothing about cricket (sorry!), so could some kind soul explain this ?newspaper headline? painted on the side of the Oval cricket ground? TVM.

by ThorsBodyDouble

12 comments

  1. A satirical obituary for English cricket.

    It refers to the 1882 match between England and Australia at the Oval, which Australia won.

    It’s the origin of ‘the Ashes’, a cricket series played between England and Australia every two years.

  2. England got thrashed by Australia, so a newspaper printed a mock obituary for English cricket.

    The bails used were burnt and put in an urn, which was then competed for by England and Australia, typically every two years. Hence ‘The Ashes’.

  3. It was the first victory for Australia on British soil which gave rise to the Ashes series. The term Ashes was coined by The Sporting Times in a satirical obit claiming that English cricket was dead and  that “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”

  4. Brings to mind a letter sent to England captain Mike Denness, after another humiliating defeat.

    It was addressed simply to “Mike Denness, cricketer”.

    It did find its way to the intended recipient. On opening, the letter reads “Dear Mr Denness. Should this reach you, the post office clearly thinks more of your ability than I do.”

  5. WOW, i had no idea that cricket championships were that old.

  7. Just to explain what the nails are which were burnt and put in an urn- two pieces of wood which sit across three upright lengths of wood which are stuck in the ground – these are called stumps. When the ball hits them when a ball is bowled to the batsmen they come off the stumps and the batsman is out(his wicket taken)

  9. even before reading the other posts I would have guessed it referred to a sound drubbing by Australia.

    Some things change, some stay the same.

  10. Just as a little side note to this, if you’ve ever thought about watching some cricket on a warm evening, it’s free to cone into The Oval after tea (usually about 4.30pm) during County Championship, and one day matches.

    Just rock up to the entrance at the Micky Finn Pavillion end (nearest Oval tube station), come in and then find a seat. I’d recommend stand 26 or 10 for a good view). Play usually continues until about 6.30pm

    Check the Surrey web site for home fixtures.
    https://www.kiaoval.com/

Comments are closed.