5 iconic cricketing series and the reasons for their names

1 The Ashes

The Ashes Urn

The Ashes is the most historic Test series in cricket, having been played for a span of 132 years and counting. After Australia shot out England for a paltry score while defending a low score at The Oval back in 1882, an English sports publication named The Sporting Times wrote "English cricket is dead," and that the body was to be cremated.

The Ashes of the 'body' were then to be taken to Australia.

Since then, the series had been about 'regaining the Ashes' and has turned into one of the most storied rivalries in world cricket. Till 2015, 69 series have been played between the two sides and each side have won 32 Ashes series in their history, with 5 other being drawn. At present, England are the holders of the Ashes, after having beaten Australia in 2015.

The teams will square off later on this month Down Under and the onus will be on hosts Australia to regain the Ashes.