The Ashes Series has already hit the two countries, England and Australia. Both the teams are all set to face the challenge. This Test cricket series started long time back in 1882 and it is being played alternately in UK and Australia. This series comprises of five Test matches in which two innings will be played per match and it will be played under the rules for international Test-match cricket. The series got started after an obituary being published by The Sporting Times after a match where England lost the match against Australia. The newspaper said that this loss of the England cricket team has put an end to the English cricket. After that terracotta urn was presented to captain of the England team which was reputed as the ashes.
Australia currently has a hold on the Ashes Trophey against England and the battle has already begun. Npower is the official sponsor of the series. England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia has announced the complete itinerary of this 2009 series between Australia and England. The structure of the series has been decided and people are looking forward for this series.
The Teams: Australian selectors have confirmed a team of 16 players for the Ashes series 2009. Andrew Symonds is not featuring in the team along with Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist. As far as the players in Australian team are concerned, Ricky Ponting is the team captain and various other famous players are confirmed including Simon katich, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Graham Manou and few more. On the other hand England cricket team is warming up in order to put in their best effort this time.
England team has added some young players in the team including Ravi Bopara and Stuart Broad and so is added by the Australian team as well. Andrew Strauss is the captain for the England cricket team. In previous matches of the Ashes Series, Michael Vaughan was the team’s captain, however as far as the 2009 series is concerned; he is unexpectedly out of the Ashes squad.
The Venues: The total five matches of the series will be played in different playgrounds and this time also a proper venue planning has been done. The starting match was played at Sophia Gardens at Cardiff stadium. The first match was played from 8-12 July.
Second match from 16-20 July will be played in the famous Lord’s stadium in London.
Third match of the series from 30- 3 August is going to be held at Edgbaston stadium. You can check the availability of the tickets on the internet.
Headingley Stadium in Leeds will be the venue for the fourth match of the series from 7-11 August.
Last but not the least, the final match between England and Australia under the Ashes series will be played from 20-24 August at Kennington Oval in London.
Here is the itinerary and the team information for the Ashes Series and now the cricket lovers are waiting for the results to come.
