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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Ashes
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The mythical prize competed for in *Test matches between England and Australia. It derives from a mock obituary of English cricket which appeared in the Sporting Times after Australia had defeated England at the Oval in 1882. The obituary ended: 'The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia.' A year later an English team won a Test series in Australia and a bail was cremated, the ashes of which are kept in a famous urn at *Lord's. But the Ashes which are won, lost or retained in each Test series between the two countries remain a disembodied concept. The term is also now used in the same sense for *rugby football matches against Australia.
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