Eng should hand over the Ashes': McGrath

Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has renewed calls for England to hand over the Ashes trophy, dismissing claims the sport's most famous trophy is too fragile to be moved.

McGrath, writing in his weekly newspaper column in the Sunday Telegraph, said Australia deserved the right to take possession of the Ashes urn despite English claims the trophy would be damaged if it was ever moved from London.

"The time has come for the historic Ashes urn to leave England and return to Australia where it belongs," McGrath wrote.

"Provided we beat England this summer, I believe we should finally get our hands on the real thing."

Australia have won their last seven series with England are already on course to make it eight in a row this summer after winning last week's first Test in Brisbane by 384 runs.

Despite their domination, English cricket authorities insist the original Ashes, a tiny urn containing the burnt bail from the 1882-83 series, must remain in England, while the Australians can keep a replica.

But McGrath, who has played the last five Ashes series, taking 106 wickets in 19 matches, has rejected the English argument the original urn cannot be moved.

"Surely we can find a way to transport it here and keep it in a safe place for our fans to see, just like English fans have been able to for the past century at Lord's," McGrath wrote.

"To win the Ashes seven times in a row -- eight if we win again this summer -- and still not get the trophy isn't right.

"It's a good way to keep it in your country by saying it's too delicate to move. It means you can hang on to it as long as you like."

The concept of the Ashes began in 1882 when a London newspaper published a mock obituary on the death of English cricket after they were beaten by the Australians.

When England won in Australia in 1882-83, their captain Ivo Bligh was presented with an urn containing the Ashes of a burnt bail from one of the Tests, which the team took back to London.

Although the two countries have been competing for the right to "hold" the Ashes ever since, the 10 centimetre urn has remained in a glass case at the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum at Lord's.

The only time it was taken back to Australia was in 1988 as part of the country's bicentennial celebrations despite a long and ongoing campaign to let the winners keep it.

"It belongs in Australia," McGrath wrote.

"We've won it quite a few times in a row, so it would be nice to have it back here."

First Test: Australia crush England in Ashes opener

Mail Cricket Editor