Who won the first Ashes series?

The first-ever Ashes series was played in 1882-83, and it was won by England. This series took place in Australia, and England won it 2-1.

The Ashes rivalry began after England lost a one-off Test match at The Oval in 1882, prompting a satirical obituary in The Sporting Times stating that English cricket had "died," and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." England then traveled to Australia later that year and won the subsequent series, reclaiming "The Ashes."