The Ashes, or the Women's Ashes, is the Women's Test Cricket Series between England and Australia. The Series was first played in 1934 and was the first ever Women's Test Series. It only became officially known as the Ashes in 1998 when the Series was drawn.
A ceremony took place in the Harrison Gardens at Lord's Cricket Ground on Monday the 20th July 1998 when a miniature bat, signed by the English and Australian Women's Cricket Squads, together with a copy of the WCA Constitution and Rules Book, were burnt and some of the ashes were subsequently sealed in this Trophy, from then to be known as "The Ashes".
The Trophy and the replica were designed and made by Brian Hodges of Twigfolly Trophies of Littlehampton, Sussex, from a 300 year old English Yew Tree which had been blown down in the 1987 gales.
The Trophy was presented by Mrs. Norma Izard OBE, the last President of the Women's Cricket Association (1994-1998), in commemoration of the dissolution of the Association which had been formed in 1926.
The Trophy will remain at Lord's Cricket Ground whilst the replica will be held by the winning Country.
Under the auspices of the WCA (Women's Cricket Association) a total of 11 Series have been played. There is no set length of the Series with it varying between 1 and 5 Tests.