ashes

¹

/ ˈæʃɪz /

plural noun

1. ruins or remains, as after destruction or burning

   the city was left in ashes

2. the remains of a human body after cremation

Ashes

²

/ ˈæʃɪz /

plural noun

1. the Ashes
   a cremated cricket stump in a pottery urn now preserved at Lord's. Victory or defeat in test matches between England and Australia is referred to as winning, losing, or retaining the Ashes

Word History and Origins

Origin of ashes¹

from the mock obituary of English cricket in The Times in 1882 after a great Australian victory at the Oval, in which it was said that the body would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia

Example Sentences

If England are building to the Ashes, it is worth remembering their only series win in Australia in the past 30-plus years was built on a stack of runs.

From BBC

Not everything is about the Ashes but, for this area of the team, that plane journey to Perth in November next year is paramount.

From BBC

It is true that Ashes series can make or break the careers of English cricketers, but Test matches are played all over the world and in all sorts of conditions.

From BBC

He is viewed as a player who could perform well in Australia, where England travel for the next Ashes series in the winter of 2025-26.

From BBC

Carse looks a real find, potentially a huge asset for an Ashes in Australia.

From BBC