Why is England vs Australia called The Ashes? History behind one of the biggest rivalries in cricket
Joe Root will captain his nation Down Under as they look to retain the urn
ENGLAND have arrived in Australia as they look to compete for the urn in the 2017/2018 Ashes series.
One of the longest-running rivalries in sport; the competition is currently drawn on 32 series wins each but Australia have not lost whilst hosting the tournament since 2010-11.
Why is is called the Ashes?
DESPITE England and Australia meeting numerous times before, the 1882-1883 Series is considered the first official Ashes.
The two countries first met in 1861 and the sides continued to meet on a regular basis but up to this series England had never lost to their rivals on home soil.
On August 29 1882, England not only were beaten by Australia for the first time in their own country but also lost their first Test Match in England.
After the surprise result, journalist Reginald Shirley wrote a mock obituary about the death of English cricket saying: "In affectionate remembrance of English cricket which died at The Oval, 29th August, 1882.
He added: "The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia."
The Ashes was born on the back of these comments and England travelled out to Australia in December to "recover their Ashes."
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What ashes is the urn made out of?
THE urn is believed to be the smallest trophy for an international event and was created during the 1882-83 trip.
It is highly debated as to what the Ashes in the urn actually is.
It was originally thought to be a bail used in the third Test but there are also stories which state it could be the ashes of a stump or a ball.
The granddaughter of Lord Darnley, the England captain in 1882, believes they are the ashes of her mother-in-laws veil.
What does the text on the urn say?
ENGLAND regained the Ashes winning two of the timeless tests (teams kept going until both were all-out twice).
The text is cut out from Melbourne Punch magazine from February 1 1883 and predicts the England win.
It reads:
"When Ivo goes back with the urn, the urn;
Studds, Steel, Read and Tylecote return, return;
The welkin will read loud,
The great crowd will feel proud,
Seeing Barlow and Bates with the urn, the urn;
And the rest coming home with the urn."
Who currently holds the trophy?
ENGLAND are travelling to Australia looking to keep hold of The Ashes.
The last Series took place in 2015 in England where the hosts overcame their whitewash defeat in Australia during the 2013-14 Series to beat their rivals 3-2.
Australia have won more Ashes Tests, winning 130 matches compared to the 106 of England but the Series is currently drawn.
England did not lose an Ashes Series until 1891-92 but England did not hold the trophy between the Series in 1989 and 2003 - a total of eight Series.