The MCC will allow the 4in Ashes urn to visit Australia in 2006-07 no matter who wins the current series.

The precious 123-year-old urn has not visited Australian soil since 1988 when its arrival coincided with the bicentenary of British settlement.

But Cricket Australia has been campaigning for its return ever since, especially as it has been Australia's symbolic property for nearly three decades. Indeed, it would be profoundly ironic if the urn arrived in Australia with England holding the Ashes.

The urn had been due to leave its permanent home at the Lord's museum to tour Australia in 2002-03, but tiny fractures were detected which made it too hazardous to transport. The urn held aloft by the Australians (pictured) was merely a replica.

MCC's head of communications, Iain Wilton, said: "The project was halted when x-rays discovered a crack which needed repairing and by the time the work was done the tour was over.

"Now the urn is more robust we hope that it can travel to Australia next winter for the duration of the 2006-07 series."

The MCC has said the Ashes are a purely symbolic prize and will only ever leave Lord's on a temporary basis. Cricket Australia has yet to decide where the trophy will be displayed.

The MCC has been the guardian of the Ashes since 1927, when they were presented to the club by the wife of former England captain Ivo Bligh.

Bligh was presented with an urn containing the burned remains of a bail by some Australian ladies in 1882, just as the England cricket side was about to leave Australia.

25 May, 2005