England reclaim ashes - from Germany

The team from St Symphorian's Church in Durrington, Worthing, wanted revenge after being humiliated last year by the Germans, who won despite not even knowing the rules.

Now the Saints have returned from their twin parish of Munchberg, Bavaria, with a coveted terracotta urn containing the burnt bails from the infamous first fixture at Goring Gap, Worthing.

They are hoping Sussex hero Matt Prior and the rest of the England team will now do the double over the Australians in the fourth test.

The German press turned out in force for the return fixture after the inaugural match received worldwide media attention.

St Symphorian's captain Michael Winter, 14, had published an official apology in the parish magazine after the defeat.

It mirrored the obituary bemoaning the death of English cricket which was published in the Sporting Times in 1882 when England lost for the first time on home soil to the Aussies.

The spoof obit even earned St Symphorian's a mention in Wisden the cricketing bible.

Michael's mother, Jane, said this time the mixed age and sex St Symphorian's team stepped off the coach and almost straight on to the cricket pitch.

The contest was limited to seven overs a side because the English players were shattered after their overnight journey.

The Saints were surprised to see the opposition warming up before the game but after the national anthems were over they soon had the Germans on the run, limiting their score to 265.

St Symphorian's overtook them with four balls and four wickets to spare and the celebrations began. Jane, who was official scorer, admitted they won because the Germans bowled more wides.

She said: “They have really taken the game on board and plan to use it to get schools interested.

“At one stage there were three photographers on the pitch during the match, which wouldn't happen here.

“They scarpered after my husband Paul hit a six. They are determined there is to be a rematch in Worthing in 2011.”