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
See full dictionary entry for Ashes
Examples of 'the Ashes' in a sentence
the Ashes
England lost the Ashes because Australia were a better team.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Nobody expected England to win the Ashes last summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Clearly getting ready for the return leg of the Ashes by England this winter.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It will be quite a group of players that sets out to retain the Ashes in Australia this year.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The man who handed over the Ashes to England for the first time in a generation stood on the threshold of another ignominious defeat yesterday.