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Cricket and the Ashes

Twelve questions on cricket and the ashes. Look closely: the most familiar answer is not always the right one.

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Question sheet

1. At which ground did Australia's 1882 victory inspire the mock obituary behind the Ashes name?
- A. Old Trafford
- B. The Oval
- C. Trent Bridge
- D. Lord's
2. Which newspaper published the mock obituary declaring that English cricket's ashes would be taken to Australia?
- A. The Sporting Life
- B. The Sportsman
- C. The Times
- D. The Sporting Times
3. Which England captain received the small urn during the 1882/83 tour of Australia?
- A. Lord Harris
- B. Ivo Bligh
- C. W. G. Grace
- D. A. N. Hornby
4. Where was Ivo Bligh presented with the original Ashes urn?
- A. Adelaide Oval
- B. The Rupertswood Estate near Melbourne
- C. The Sydney Cricket Ground
- D. Government House in Hobart
5. What material is the original Ashes urn made from?
- A. Silver
- B. Terracotta
- C. Ivory
- D. Bronze
6. Which institution houses the original Ashes urn?
- A. The British Museum
- B. The Australian Museum in Sydney
- C. The National Sports Museum in Melbourne
- D. The MCC Museum at Lord's
7. Who captained England during the 1932/33 Bodyline series?
- A. Douglas Jardine
- B. Arthur Carr
- C. Percy Chapman
- D. Wally Hammond
8. Which fast bowler was central to England's Bodyline tactics in 1932/33?
- A. Alec Bedser
- B. Harold Larwood
- C. Maurice Tate
- D. Fred Trueman
9. What were Jim Laker's match bowling figures against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956?
- A. 20 wickets for 100 runs
- B. 19 wickets for 90 runs
- C. 17 wickets for 83 runs
- D. 18 wickets for 99 runs
10. What type of bowler was Jim Laker?
- A. Off-spinner
- B. Left-arm orthodox spinner
- C. Right-arm fast bowler
- D. Leg-spinner
11. Under MCC Law 14, what first-innings lead allows the follow-on in a five-day match when play starts on day one?
- A. 250 runs
- B. 150 runs
- C. 200 runs
- D. 175 runs
12. Under the MCC law change effective from October 2022, who normally faces the next delivery after a catch, if the over has not ended?
- A. The non-striker whenever the previous pair crossed
- B. The batter chosen by the fielding captain
- C. Whichever batter crossed the midpoint last
- D. The incoming batter, regardless of crossing

Answer sheet (for the quizmaster)

1. B - The Oval
Australia's victory at The Oval on 29 August 1882 was their first Test win on English soil.
2. D - The Sporting Times
The Sporting Times obituary supplied the metaphor that became the rivalry's name.
3. B - Ivo Bligh
Bligh received the urn as a personal gift after a social match at Rupertswood.
4. B - The Rupertswood Estate near Melbourne
The presentation took place at Rupertswood on Christmas Eve 1882.
5. B - Terracotta
The fragile terracotta urn was a personal keepsake rather than a trophy commissioned for the series.
6. D - The MCC Museum at Lord's
Bligh's widow Florence bequeathed the urn to MCC after his death.
7. A - Douglas Jardine
Jardine used fast leg-theory bowling to restrict Australia's batters, particularly Don Bradman.
8. B - Harold Larwood
Larwood bowled fast, short-pitched deliveries towards the body with close leg-side fielders waiting.
9. B - 19 wickets for 90 runs
Laker took 9 for 37 and 10 for 53, leaving only one Australian wicket to another bowler.
10. A - Off-spinner
Laker's right-arm off-spin brought him 193 Test wickets at an average of 21.24.
11. C - 200 runs
In a match of five days or more, a lead of at least 200 gives the team batting first the option.
12. D - The incoming batter, regardless of crossing
The 2022 change placed the incoming batter at the striker's end after a catch, removing the old effect of crossing.