10 most emotional moments in Ashes history

The Ashes, perceived as the pinnacle of Test cricket for both England and Australia, will be played for the 70th time this year, starting November 23rd at the Gabba.

With almost 135 years of history behind them, the sport's oldest rivals will pit their wits against each other for the urn.

This year, Joe Root and Steve Smith's men will lock horns at five separate venues with the five-match Test series concluding on January 8th at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.

Hosted in turn by England and Australia at least once every four years, both the teams have won 32 series each and five series have been drawn.

Having won three of the five Tests in the 2015 series, England are the current holders of the Ashes.

Sparks fly and emotions run high when players from both the countries take the field and fight it out to win a cricketing contest like no other.

Hence, since its inception in 1882-83, the Ashes has produced innumerable emotional moments. Let's have a look at the 10 best:

#10 On the occasion of a cremation, 'The Ashes' was born

Cremations are emotional.

One gets engulfed in feelings of denial, anger and depression.

England's seven-run defeat against Australia in the one-off Test of 1882 stirred Reginald Shirley Brooks' dark emotions.

A journalist by profession, Brooks echoed the emotions of hundreds of thousands of English fans, in a mock obituary that was carried in the Sporting Times.

The text read, "In affectionate remembrance of English cricket which died at The Oval, 29th August 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances, R.I.P.

N.B. The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia."

Following England's victory in a Test in Australia the following year, a cricket bail was burned in memory of the Ashes and put in an 11-inch terracotta urn.

A few Melbourne ladies then gave the urn to Ivo Bligh, the legendary England captain.

This is how, in the game's finest tale, the very concept of 'The Ashes' was spawned.

#9 Triumph of will

Steve Smith celebrates his double century

Australia might have lost the 2015 Ashes series, but, on the hostile English land, one of their own became a legend to be celebrated.

Steve Smith's gritty innings of 215 at Lord's validated his position as the world's top-ranked batsman.

Smith, who hit his maiden double century, became the third Australian to reach 200 at Lord's after Donald Bradman and Bill Brown.

The then 26-year-old's promotion to number three in Australia's batting order was being questioned by many but Smith's batting curve continued its upward trajectory as he scored his sixth ton in eight first innings.

#8 Ball of the century

The birth of a legend

The 23-year-old Shane Warne was coronated as the 'King of Spin' with his first ball in Test cricket in England.

The man who went on to become the leading wicket-taker in the Ashes started with his very first delivery in the tournament.

During the 1993 edition, Warne bowled an astonishing delivery to dismiss Mike Gatting at Old Trafford in Manchester.

The champion leg-spinner's reign that began with clipping Gatting's off bail lasted 14 years and took 708 victims.

The bleached blond, who came to England as a fluke spinner from Victoria, left as a virtuoso.

#7 So close but yet so far

One of the most touching moments in Ashes history

The 2005 Ashes encounter at Edgbaston was a heartbreaker, but it is considered one of the greatest ever matches.

Steve Harmison's delivery to dismiss Michael Kasprowicz changed Ashes history forever.

After three and a half days of compelling drama, England completed a dramatic two-run victory.

Brett Lee and Kasprowicz came so close to producing an unlikely win for Australia but they missed by a whisker.

A distraught Lee slumped to the turf, Andrew Flintoff crouched and placed one hand on his shoulder and said, "Unlucky, Brett, see you next week."

The iconic moment captured the 'Spirit of Cricket' in the most beautiful way possible and depicted the true essence of the gentleman's game.

#6 Bradman begins

The first of many

When a 21-year-old Donald Bradman arrived in England to represent Australia in the 1930 Ashes, he had only four Test matches under his belt.

The greatest ever batsman to have graced the game of cricket announced his arrival with a phenomenal knock of 334 at Headingley.

Bradman fell for 334 off 448 balls with 46 delightful fours. The match was drawn, but Bradman’s knock was one to be remembered for ages.

This was Sir Donald Bradman's first triple hundred and remained Australia’s highest individual Test score until Mark Taylor equalled it in the late 90s and then Matthew Hayden overtook in 2003.

#5 Fortune favours the brave

Pietersen put Australia to the sword with his stunning innings

Just like the end of his international cricket career, Kevin Pietersen's beginning was a bumpy ride too.

Born in South Africa, KP made his ODI debut for England in 2005 and scored three tons to earn himself a Test cap for the Ashes.

The 25-year-old was drafted into the team ahead of experienced Graham Thorpe and the right-hander ended up scoring three consecutive fifties.

On the final day of the fifth Test at the Oval, England needed a draw to win the Ashes for the first time since 1986-87.

A cracking 158 at a strike rate of 84, KP's maiden Test ton secured a draw for the hosts and made him an epitome of strong will and class.

#4 The marathon man

Len Hutton batted for three days straight

Afer the advent of Australia's Sir Donald Bradman in 1930, England's Sir Leonard Hutton arrived on the scene in 1938 in what was one of the most one-sided Ashes Tests ever.

England batted for three days and Hutton made history by scoring 364 in the fifth and final Test of the series at the Oval.

The Yorkshireman, playing in just his sixth match, batted for three straight days and piled misery on Australia.

He faced 847 deliveries and struck 35 fours to set a new record for the highest Test score.

Hutton's record was broken by West Indies' Garfield Sobers when he scored 365 in 1958.

As for the game, England declared on 903/7 and defeated Australia by an innings and 579 runs.

#3 Last goodbye

The end of an era

The 2006-07 edition of the Ashes was arguably its greatest ever.

From Steve Harmison's first-ball wide, Ricky Ponting's 196 in Brisbane to Adam Gilchrist's fastest ever Ashes century, off just 57 balls, the on-field action never failed to live up to the hype associated with the tournament.

The hosts completely dominated and wrapped up the series 5-0. It was the first Ashes whitewash in 81 years.

However, it was a bittersweet feeling for the Australian cricket fans as they got the urn back but lost two legends of the game - Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne in one go.

Damien Martyn and Justin Langer also retired with McGrath and Warne at the SCG.

#2 Super sub

Pratt ran out Ponting with a sensational piece of fielding

England's substitute fielder, Gary Pratt became an overnight sensation during the 2005 Ashes series, when his dazzling direct hit ran out Australia skipper Ricky Ponting in the decisive fourth Test at Trent Bridge.

Clearly disgusted, Ponting stomped off to the pavilion, firing a few expletives towards England coach Duncan Fletcher, who was sitting up on the balcony.

Ponting, batting on 48, was boiled over by the hosts' canny use of substitute fielders while giving their bowlers a rest.

Ponting ended up being fined 75 percent of his match fee and the 23-year-old Pratt, who replaced Simon Jones, became a cult figure.

#1 Nerves of steel

Steve Waugh holds aloft a replica of the Ashes trophy

Australia's Test skipper Steve Waugh was going through his leanest patch during the 2002-03 Ashes series.

In 16 Tests since the 2001 Ashes, Waugh had scored just 645 runs at an average of 29.31.

Before heading to Sydney, Australia had already secured the series with a 4-0 lead but an illustrious career was dying a slow death.

Facing the last ball of the match, the 37-year-old Waugh displayed nerves of steel and brought up a career-saving ton.

The whole SCG erupted as the crowd went berserk, lauding Waugh.

Australia lost the match but won the series and the urn.

Waugh captained the Test side for another year before retiring in January 2004.