Peter Siddle has helped keep the Ashes from England's grasp twice but so rare is the little urn's presence in Australia that Tuesday was the first time the fast bowler had ever laid eyes on it.

Sealed up tight in a specially made case, the tiny trophy had its own $20,000 business class seat for the flight from London to Melbourne, where it has gone on display at the State Library of Victoria.

Peter Siddle lays his eyes on the real Ashes urn for the first time ever at the SLV on Tuesday. Credit:Eddie Jim

The urn, which spends most of its time at Lord's, has only returned here three times in its 136-year history; in 1988 for Australia's bicentennial celebrations, for three months during the 2006-07 Ashes series and now at the library until February 2020.

The one the players are presented with after winning a series is a replica.