Some years ago, a well-known mystery novelist published a book called "Playing For the Ashes." What did this title mean, who was the author, and who has most recently won the ashes?

peasypod

Wondering if you mean Elizabeth George and the never-ending gloating of the English and their cricket antics? Sep 25 05, 8:58 PM

picqero

Hardly 'never- ending' peasy. The recent Ashes win made the news for a few days, since when it's been consigned to history. Great credit was also given to the Aussies, by the British media, for their sportsmanship. Sep 26 05, 5:58 AM

lanfranco

How nice of the British media. And yay, peasy! However, being the cricket ignoramus that I am, I wonder whether someone could explain the meaning of the term "ashes" in this context? Sep 26 05, 8:36 AM

minch

The author is Elizabeth George. Playing for the Ashes is a cricket competition between England and Australia. In 1882 England was leading, when the Australians made a terrific comeback and won the match. The next day an obituary for English cricket was place in a newspaper. It read: In Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket Which Died At The Oval on 29th August 1882 Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances R.I.P NB: The body will be cremated, and the ashes taken to Australia. Sep 26 05, 3:36 PM

lanfranco

Ah ha! Thank you, minch! According to a British friend,there is an actual urn with some symbolic value. Is this true? Sep 26 05, 4:22 PM

ssannkovic

As an Aussie we dont care about the Ashes. Ur... That is till we win them back. Congratulation to England on a great recent series. Sep 26 05, 4:49 PM

NatalieW

Yes, there is a tiny little urn (looking rather the worse for wear now!) that is kept at Lord's, in London. Sep 26 05, 9:55 PM