Great performance set in motion to take Ashes trophy (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
star turn
'great performance' is the definition.
'star turn' can be an answer for 'performance' (I have seen 'fine performance' mean 'star turn' so perhaps 'performance' could also mean 'star turn'). I am not sure about the 'great' bit.
'set in motion to take ashes trophy' is the wordplay.
'set in motion' becomes 'start' (synonyms).
'to take' says to put letters next to each other.
'ashes trophy' becomes 'urn' (I've seen this before).
'start'+'urn'='STAR-TURN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for star turn that I've seen before include "Headliner" , "Main act" , "Most impressive act" , "fine performance" , "Top performer" .)