The Ashes Test series ended on Sunday in a draw. England won the fifth and final Test match by 135 runs on Sunday, squaring the series 2-2. Australia, however, retained the Ashes. Post-match the English cricket team shared a picture and a video on Twitter, which showed players and the staff members of both the teams interacting with each other at the end of the match. The team shared the picture with a caption, 'This is what Ashes cricket is all about!'.

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History of aggressive interactions

The Ashes is known to be one of the most competitive, fierce, and aggressive tournaments not only in cricket but in world sport. Over the years, fans have witnessed multiple clashes and innumerable instances of sledging between players of the two teams which have carried on off the field in press conferences and other interactions as well.

The recently concluded series saw some of it as well, with Ben Stokes calling David Warner a few harsh words. Tim Paine, the Australian Captain stepping in and calling Stokes 'Bristol' - in reference to the infamous brawl involving the English cricketer outside a nightclub in 2017. Matthew Wade was involved in multiple incidents with Jofra Archer and Joe Root. Wade was talkative throughout the series, trying to rile up the opponents.

In the past, Australian Merv Hughes had a history of going at various players and at one time offered former England international batsman, Graham Gooch, a piano to see if he could play that after the latter left multiple deliveries. Shane Warne once went after Paul Collingwood, who received an MBE by the British Government. Warner, during the 2005 Ashes series said, “You’ve got an MBE, right? For scoring seven at The Oval? You’re an embarrassment.” In 1972, Derek Underwood was hurt by a delivery from Dennis Lillee and Ian Chappell, fielding in the slips went up to him, and then asked which hand was hurt. Underwood said his right hand, to which Chappel said, “That’s a shame. We were aiming for the left”. 

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All square

The Ashes has seen multiple such incidents and these will continue over the years, but the players share mutual respect off the field and that was evident in another picture shared on twitter by the English team, which showed Jack Leach and Steve Smith pose together smiling. 

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