The biggest event on the cricket calendar, the Ashes series is a five match contest played between England and Australia. Over the years the Ashes has been billed as one of the fiercest and most competitive sporting events across all sports played between two of the games proudest nations. The Ashes Odds for the 2013 series in England are in favour of England after their recent good form.

The first ever Ashes test dates back to 1882 and is played every two years alternating in each country. The Ashes are held by the winning nation and to regain them the other nation has to win more test matches than the other when the Ashes come around.

The winning team is presented with the Ashes urn, which is alleged to contain a burnt item of cricket equipment (bat, bail, ball). Although they might then get to keep a replica, the original urn is always kept at Lords in the MCC Museum because of its frailty.

England won the last series in Australia 3-1 to retain the Ashes with a devastating display of cricket.

Now the Ashes 2013 series is upon us, when the Australia will head to England and try to regain the urn.