The Ashes 

The 1882 Australia tour of England consisted of a one-off 3-day match at The Oval. The pitch was damaged due to rain to such an extent that it saw a string of low scores resulting in Australia get bowled out for 63 and in reply England just scored 101. Australia had a reached a comfortable position with Hugh Massie scoring a half century and Billy Murdoch with a supporting innings. Murdoch was batting with Sammy Jones when he struck a ball to a fielder as he managed to take a single. Jones went to attend a divot on the pitch to which WG Grace took an advantage and knocked off the bails and appealed for run-out. Umpire gave the to this verdict as out. Although it was within the rules but a little against the spirit of the game and hence, the Australians were furious about it. England needed 85 runs to win in their 2nd innings. But, Australian pacer Fred Spofforth was confident of Australia winning this one. In a well placed situation at 53/3, England lost their plot and wickets just fell in bulk. England eventually got bowled out for 77 losing the match by 7 runs. Spofforth took 7/44. This lead to a spectator burning the bail of a stump and a Cricket ball and it's ashes were kept in a 10-cm long urn. An  English newspaper publishing an obituary in a satirical manner. It read as, 

"In Affectionate Remembrance of ENGLISH CRICKET, which died at the Oval on 29 August 1882, Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances R.I.P.

N.B. – The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia."

This gave birth to an iconic rivalry called, "The Ashes". Every Test Series now played between Australia and England is known as "The Ashes" and at the end of the series the replica of that 10 cm urn is taken by the winner of the series or the previous series in case the series ends as a draw.