The Ashes - Bringing Back Test Cricket to The T20 Era

On the eve of The Ashes series, here’s a look at just what makes this rivalry one of cricket’s greatest.

An obsessed sports fan writes on the Australia-England Ashes test series starting tomorrow with the first match in Cardiff.

Last month, Sky Sports UK launched the Sky Sports Ashes channel – a 24-hour platform dedicated to the history, lead-up, coverage and analysis of the upcoming five test series between England & Australia.

While being a standard broadcasting call taken by the producers, the significance of the decision lies in the fact that roughly a decade ago, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), under advisement from their marketing team, invented the T20 format of the game in an attempt to revive the sport in the region.

Fast-forward to 2015, and England remains the only test-playing nation to consistently register packed houses for home tests, with no sign of fading.

2005: The Rebirth

T20 may have played its part in getting people back into the stadiums in England, but what has kept them sitting is the rediscovery and reinvention of the longer format. The 2005 Ashes, arguably the greatest test series to have ever been played, not only silenced the cynics emphatically, but also captured the imagination of the entire cricketing world. The crowds were back in full voice, the broadcasters were lining up and the sponsors were writing the cheques – test cricket was cool again!

The Best of Enemies

For several decades, from the time when teams travelled by ship, an England – Australia test was the only international match of any relevance. It has provided us with the legendary eras of Bradman and Grace, the dark days of Bodyline, all the way through to bar brawls in 2013. One would imagine that repetitive bilateral series between the same countries would eventually lead to easing of hostilities on the field; the Ashes have time and again defied that logic. The rivalry between the nations doesn’t have the geographical or political roots of an India - Pakistan, nor was it ever a contest between 2 nations competing for power; but for decades, the Ashes have symbolized the epitome of cricketing rivalry and competition.

The Big Stage

The Ashes are as close as cricket comes to a grand slam and are considered the true test for any young cricketer trying to make his mark. For every legend born, there are several flashes in the pan; heroes are made overnight and legacies halted prematurely. It is the series the entire cricketing world awaits, with stories and memories unmatched, the magic of the Ashes is unique.

You may have a hard time remembering the last T20 match you watched, but ask any cricket lover his favorite Ashes moment and he’ll tell you where he was sitting when Warne bowled Gatting around his legs. The raw emotion of seeing Andrew Flintoff crouch down to console a distraught Brett Lee at Edgbaston not only makes it one of the most iconic moments in test cricket, but is also testament to the heart and soul of the Ashes.

The game has changed since the Ashes began well over a century ago, and Sir W.G. might not be too pleased about them being named after a banking group today; but the tiny, unassuming urn has stood the test of time, and despite all the bright lights and shiny toys of the modern day game, is still symbolic of everything we know about cricket.

This lot didn’t start the fire, but no one has ever missed a chance to add some fuel for good measure!

(Saurabh Mehta is a sports lawyer by qualification. In his spare time, he tries to catch up on as much sport as possible and plan his next holiday around a major sporting event.)