‘THE ASHES’ ON DISPLAY AT QUEENSLAND MUSEUM SOUTH BANK

Published Friday, 10 November, 2006 at 12:55 PM

Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford

Queensland cricket fans will have a rare opportunity to see a piece of cricketing history when the Ashes Urn goes on display in Brisbane from Sunday (12 November).

Arts Minister Rod Welford and Queensland cricketer Michael Kasprowicz were at Queensland Museum South Bank today to see the Urn put on display as part of the The Ashes Exhibition.

“The Urn will be the main attraction of the exhibition, which will be a great opportunity for cricket fans to get an up-close view of one of the world’s most famous and celebrated sporting icons,” Mr Welford said.

“The exhibition from 12-22 November will herald the start of the Ashes Test Series between Australia and England, which gets underway in Brisbane on 23 November.

“It is rare for the Ashes Urn to travel from its home at the hallowed Lord’s Cricket Ground in England and this will be its inaugural tour of Australia.

“I expect this exhibition will be very popular with families and it is another fine example of the popular and interesting exhibitions our Museum is able to attract.”

As well as the famous ‘Ashes’, fans will also be able to see other cricket memorabilia such as:

  • the original scorebook from the 1882 match where England lost to Australia for the first time on home soil
  • the official Ashes Trophy, commissioned by MCC from Waterford Crystal, first presented to Australia's captain, Mark Taylor, at the end of the 1998-99 series
  • a facsimile of the Sporting Times article which first gave rise to the expression, “the Ashes”.

Lord’s Curator of Collections, Adam Chadwick, and Archivist and Historian, Glenys Williams will be at the exhibition from 10.30am to 2.30pm daily to share their knowledge with fans and answer questions about the Ashes memorabilia.

The Ashes Exhibition has been organised by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in association with Travelex.

Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, an Ambassador for Travelex, is encouraging thousands of cricket fans to take up the opportunity to see the Ashes Urn up close.

“The Urn has come to represent the fierce battle between Australia and the England on the cricket field,” he said.

“This is a once in a lifetime chance for all cricket tragics to see for themselves this priceless symbol of one of sport’s greatest rivalries.”

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985