Ashes? Try burning sticks (4,7)
I believe the answer is:
test matches
'ashes?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'try burning sticks' is the wordplay.
'try' becomes 'test' (test is a kind of try).
'burning sticks' becomes 'matches' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'test'+'matches'='TEST MATCHES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for test matches that I've seen before include "important games" , "See if strikers light up" , "Give strikers a trial" , "international games" , "Cricket fixtures" .)