The Ashes 2009

Dating to 1882, The Ashes is one of sport's oldest rivalries. Contested biennially by England and Australia, the Test cricket series began this year back on July 8 in Cardiff, Wales and finished yesterday in London. What are "The Ashes"? Nobody can say for certain what's inside the little urn, but it seems large enough to hold the national pride of two countries. ( 27 photos total)

Andrew Flintoff holds the Ashes trophy after England defeated Australia on the fourth day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket Test match at the Brit Oval in London August 23. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

England's captain Andrew Strauss takes to the pitch as his team prepares to attempt to save the match on the fifth day of the first Test match between England and Australia in Cardiff July 12. (AP Photo/Jon Super) #

Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of England's captain Andrew Strauss (bottom right) caught by Brad Haddin for 17 on the fifth day of the first Test match between England and Australia in Cardiff July 12. (AP Photo/Jon Super) #

England's Stuart Broad (right) celebrates the wicket of Australia's Michael Hussey on the fifth day of the third Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham August 3. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) #

Fans watch from trees outside the ground on the third day of the first Test match between England and Australia in Cardiff July 10. (AP Photo/Jon Super) #

Australia's Ricky Ponting (below) stops a ball hit by England's Andrew Strauss during the second Test match at Lord's cricket ground in London July 16. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi) #

Australia's Ben Hilfenhaus reflects after failing to stop a drive from England's Stuart Broad during the second Test match at Lord's cricket ground in London July 16. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi) #

England's Kevin Pietersen plays a shot off the bowling of Australia's Ben Hilfenhaus on the first day of the second Test match between England and Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London July 16. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) #

Australian and English fans are seen during a rain break on the third day of the first Test match between England and Australia in Cardiff July 10. (AP Photo/Jon Super) #

England's Paul Collingwood appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Australia's Brad Haddin during their first Test match at Cardiff July 11. (REUTERS/Philip Brown) #

Fans queue for beer as rain delays the third day of the third Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham August 1. (REUTERS/Darren Staples) #

The Australian team applauds from their balcony after they reached a partnership of 185 runs at the close of play during the Australian second innings on the fourth day of the second Test match at Lord's cricket ground in London July 19. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) #

Australian spin bowler Nathan Hauritz (left) holds his hand after dislocating his finger as captain Ricky Ponting consols him during the second Test match against England at the Lord's Cricket ground in London July 16. (REUTERS/Kieran Doherty) #

Fans wait in the rain for play to resume during the third day of the first Test match between England and Australia in Cardiff July 10. (ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) #

England's Alastair Cook unsuccessfully attempts to stop a ball going for 4 runs off the batting of Australia's Mitchell Johnson during the Australian second innings on the final day of the second Test match at Lords cricket ground in London July 20. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) #

Australia's Michael Clarke (right) is hit by a delivery during the Australian second innings on the final day of the second Test match at Lord's cricket ground in London July 20. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) #

Australian batsman Michael Clarke pads a ball away from the England bowling on the fourth day of the second Test match at Lords July 19 in London. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) #

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with players as she meets the England and Australian teams during the lunch break on the second day of the second Test match at Lords in London July 17. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) #

Australian Ben Hilfenhaus (left) sends down a delivery to England batsman Matt Prior on the third day of the fourth Test match between England and Australia at Headingley in Leeds August 9. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) #

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior (center) watches Paul Collingwood field a deflection from Australian batsman Marcus North (left) on the final day of the third Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham August 3. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) #

Fans arrive dressed as Elvis Presley as rain delays the start of the third day of the third Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham August 1. (PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) #

England's Graham Onions (right) hits the ball for 4 runs avoiding the attempted catch by Australia's Michael Hussey (center) during the second day of the second Test match at Lord's cricket ground in London July 17. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) #

Spectators watch England play Australia on the fourth day of the first Test match in Cardiff July 11. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) #

Promotional girls hand out leaflets as fans arrive for the first day of the fifth and final Test match at the Oval in London August 20. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) #

England's Jonathan Trott is run out during the fifth Test match at the Oval in London August 20. (AP Photo/Gareth Copley/PA) #

England's Paul Collingwood attempts to catch out Australia's Captain Ricky Ponting but is unsuccessful during the Australian 2nd Innings on the fourth day of the fifth and final Test match August 23. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) #

Graeme Swann kisses the Ashes trophy as (left to right) captain Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott and Andrew Flintoff enjoy the moment as England defeats Australia on the fourth day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket Test match at the Brit Oval in London August 23. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) #

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The Ashes 2009