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It was immensely exciting to be carried across the threshold of that famous front door, through the entrance hall with its red carpet, down the grand staircase with its wrought iron railings and out into your spacious garden. - although the lawn could do with a teeny bit more work if you want .

I was last in your humble abode for the first time since 1963 and . My illustrious older cousin, , was too frail to come in person, but his proxy hopes to receive another invitation later this summer, have sent the current crop of Aussies on their way. They've told me there'll be this time, as long as you promise to provide some champagne.

I must admit that in the last few days I've been a little upset by a number of people questioning . I didn't get the chance to speak to you in person at No 10 (although I appreciated the admiring glance you directed my way as you strode over to shake hands with ) so I feel I must take this opportunity to explain how I came into being.

The first women's Test between England and Australia , long after was presented with the tiny urn that sits proudly in the MCC Museum. I'm the product of a ceremony in 1998, whereby the women's teams from both England and Australia signed an autographed bat and ceremonially burnt it in the gardens behind the pavilion at Lord's. They took the ashes, placed them inside yours truly (a hollowed out oak cricket ball) and I now sit atop a small oak plinth. So whilst nobody tries to pretend the women are playing for , they do have a genuine version of their own.

Once again, many thanks for hosting us in your back garden, and even more thanks for not mistaking me for a paper weight.

Yours sincerely,

The Ashes Ball

Alison Mitchell was delighted to join the England women's cricket team at a Downing Street reception to celebrate their victory in the World Cup, the World T20 and the Ashes.