Australia's seven-run Oval victory in 1882 gave birth to the Ashes

On August 29, 1882, Australia beat England by seven runs at The Oval and ended a 20-year unbeaten home record. The next day The Sporting Times ran a mock obituary that declared English cricket dead and said the ashes would be taken to Australia.

That line stuck. It became the permanent name for the Test series between the two sides, and the teams have now played 73 Ashes contests. England lead 32-30.