The 2009 Ashes series between England and Australia will mark the latest chapter in an age old rivalry between the two oldest Test nations in Cricket.
Arguably the most important, and captivating Test series on the Cricketing calendar, the Ashes began in 1882 thanks to an obituary published in English paper, 'The Sporting times' stating that English cricket had died following England's loss to Australia in the 1882 series at the Oval.
From then on, the British made it their duty to get back the Ashes from the clutches of an Australian side that would later build itself as the best Cricketing country on the planet.
Names like Mark Taylor, Merv Hughes, Shane Warne, David Boon, Ian Healy, Alan Border, Glenn McGrath and Steve Waugh would see Australia dominate the Ashes from 1989 to 2003.
England eventually regained the Ashes in 2005 in front of the English faithful, with many labelling that particular test series as one of the most exciting in living memory.
Despite the surge in confidence from the British , they were brought solid in fantastic fashion by the Australians in the 2006-07 series, losing all 5 Test matches to once more surrender the Urn.
Since that meek surrender, England has since struggled to repeat their 2005 Ashes form, plunging to 6th in the ICC Test rankings.
After regaining the Ashes in 2006/07 however, Australia went on to win a record equalling sixteen consecutive Test matches, a sequence ended by a loss to India in Perth in the 2007/08 summer.
Since then, the supremacy held by Australia in Test Cricket has been severely challenged, after they suffered a home series loss to SA early this year.
With criticism aplenty, many requested Shane Warne to come out of retirement and lead Australia's failing charge to the 2009 Ashes series.
Although England's form guide at the moment is far from convincing, the 2009 Ashes represents a huge opportunity for the team to produce their best Cricket when it truly counts, and add to what should be another memorable series. - 16887
Arguably the most important, and captivating Test series on the Cricketing calendar, the Ashes began in 1882 thanks to an obituary published in English paper, 'The Sporting times' stating that English cricket had died following England's loss to Australia in the 1882 series at the Oval.
From then on, the British made it their duty to get back the Ashes from the clutches of an Australian side that would later build itself as the best Cricketing country on the planet.
Names like Mark Taylor, Merv Hughes, Shane Warne, David Boon, Ian Healy, Alan Border, Glenn McGrath and Steve Waugh would see Australia dominate the Ashes from 1989 to 2003.
England eventually regained the Ashes in 2005 in front of the English faithful, with many labelling that particular test series as one of the most exciting in living memory.
Despite the surge in confidence from the British , they were brought solid in fantastic fashion by the Australians in the 2006-07 series, losing all 5 Test matches to once more surrender the Urn.
Since that meek surrender, England has since struggled to repeat their 2005 Ashes form, plunging to 6th in the ICC Test rankings.
After regaining the Ashes in 2006/07 however, Australia went on to win a record equalling sixteen consecutive Test matches, a sequence ended by a loss to India in Perth in the 2007/08 summer.
Since then, the supremacy held by Australia in Test Cricket has been severely challenged, after they suffered a home series loss to SA early this year.
With criticism aplenty, many requested Shane Warne to come out of retirement and lead Australia's failing charge to the 2009 Ashes series.
Although England's form guide at the moment is far from convincing, the 2009 Ashes represents a huge opportunity for the team to produce their best Cricket when it truly counts, and add to what should be another memorable series. - 16887
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To find out when the ashes are on, check out The Ashes fixtures on www.theroar.com.au
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