Little book of the Ashes - Ralph Dellor

From the first appearance of the tiny urn more than 120 years ago, the Ashes remain the most coveted prize in Anglo-Australian cricket. The kangaroo has held sway over the lion over much of the recent past, barring the 2005 series in Englandregarded by many as the finest contest in living memory.  

Although the Australians took the fullest possible revenge at the earliest opportunity, they return to English shores without some of their legendary performers of recent years, including Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist. The Little Book of the Ashestraces the history of Anglo-Australian rivalry back to the days of Grace and Spofforth, and the great Test match of 1882 in which both men took part. It was the match that induced the famous mock obituary mourning the death of English cricket. It concluded with the idea that the body would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia. That was when the story began. The greatest players are featured, from Jack Hobbs to Ian Botham, from Don Bradman to Shane Warne. Who will be the modern day heroes as the Ashes hopes of millions are reignited once more?