Australia have officially retained The Ashes, gaining an unassailable 2-1 lead over England following a rain-affected drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford.
After dramatic victories at Edgbaston and Lord's, the visitors will now hold onto the urn for at least another 18 months, with their previous series triumphs enough to ensure a draw was all they needed this time around.
Despite Australia's retention of the urn being finalised, the series could still end in a 2-2 draw or a 3-1 win for the visitors, which means the two teams will have plenty to play for in the fifth Test at The Oval.
All series between Australia and England run for five matches, regardless of the results.
The Sporting News explains why The Ashes continues for the final game below.
Why do England and Australia play the next two games?
Unlike some sports across the globe, England and Australia always play out the remaining games of the series, even if the result has been finalised.
Every Test series between the two rival nations lasts for five matches, regardless of result, with major broadcasting and advertising money involved.
On top of that, the addition of the World Test Championship to the ICC calendar means that every match is of vital importance to each team's standings.
Who won The Ashes?
At this stage, neither Australia or England have 'won' The Ashes. However, due to their previous series wins, the Aussies will retain the urn once again due to earning a 2-1 series lead, with the worst possible result now a 2-2 draw.
Australia have now been in possession of the urn since 2017.
What is The Ashes urn? Australia vs England trophy explained
The history of The Ashes urn dates back to August 1882, when the Aussies defeated England for the first time in a Test match at Kensington Oval in London.
Following the defeat, the English press and public were left disappointed by the result and branded it 'the death of cricket' in the country it was first created.
In a mock obituary notice in the Sporting Times, the term 'Ashes' was mentioned for the first time, beginning the history of the long-standing rivalry.
"In Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket which died at the Oval on 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."
The urn would first be made when England toured Australia later that year for a Test series and it has remained the official trophy for The Ashes ever since.
Made from red terracotta and standing at approximately 10.5cm high, the long-standing belief is that the de-facto cricket trophy contains the ashes of a burnt cricket bail.
