As Australia lands the first blow in the battle for the Ashes cricket Test series, it’s nice to know the most important trophy in world cricket is suitably insured during its tour down under.

Zurich Australia has revealed that its UK counterpart has seven figures (yes, we’re talking about British pounds) of coverage for the small urn and its contents, believed to be the ashes of a burnt stump.

The insurance is part of an overall policy covering the Marylebone Cricket Club’s extensive collection of cricket-related art and memorabilia.

The urn actually belongs to the club and spends most of its time in the museum at Lord’s Cricket Ground. It is in Australia for the current tour – only the third time it has left England since 1927.

But win or lose – and the English have hardly impressed in the opening round – it will return home after the fifth Test in Sydney.