The Ashes is, unquestionably, cricket’s most celebrated series. The pinnacle of the international game, one of the fiercest rivalries in sport will be contested over five matches this summer, starting this week at Trent Bridge.
One man not short on desire and drive will be young Australian bowler James Pattinson.
The Ashes Test is less than a week away and if you’re coming to Nottingham to watch the biggest rivalry in cricket then we have plenty of extra things to see and do after the game. All of the events below can be accessed via the dedicated page for Trent Bridge on the Experience Nottinghamshire website.
Post Match Plans
Once the game has finished there’s plenty to see and do in Nottingham. Several local pubs are offering Real Ale Festivals.
John Lewis have joined the celebrations ahead of Australia’s arrival in Nottingham by employing a group of knitted cricketers as part of their display. They even made a trip to Trent Bridge to put their abilities to the test.
Photographs – Jemma Cox
With thousands set to descend on West Bridgford for the first Investec Ashes Test, the Trent Bridge Inn’s Duty Manager, Philippa Bacon, has her work cut out for her ahead of Australia’s arrival in Nottingham.
“I’ve been interviewing all day for extra staff for the Ashes test, we need anyone and everyone to help,” she said.
As a long time member Liz Wilkinson knows the Trent Bridge atmosphere better than most and she is as excited as anybody to welcome the Australians to Nottingham for the first time in eight years in the opening Test of this summers Ashes series. However, Liz told us she expects her local Notts favourites to enjoy themselves rather more than their Australian counterparts.
Whenever Nottinghamshire history is a talking point, Robin Hood is at the forefront of conversation.
The tradition is proudly continued today by Nottinghamshire’s Official Robin Hood, Tim Pollard, who has a long association with the cricket club.
“When the t20 season rolls around I have been down at the ground obviously because of the Outlaws link,” Pollard said.
“It’s great fun keeping the crowd entertained by being on the pitch with the mascot and signing autographs.
With just under two weeks to go before the biggest cricket event of the summer begins, Matt Prior is struggling to put into words how excited he is.
As the contest draws closer, the hype of it all starts to hit home with Prior extra excited to get back in an England shirt and beat their oldest enemy.
“Playing Ashes cricket is like nothing else for an English cricketer and it provides a fantastic opportunity and honour which is different to any other series,” Prior said.
With the Ashes fast approaching it will come as a confidence breaking move for poor Nick Compton who at the experienced age of 29 will be making way for 22-year-old youngster Joe Root in England’s pre-Ashes warm up match against Essex.
The England set-up will find this move to be fully justified as Compton has failed to show any vigour or incontestable skill in his recent performances scoring 18, 15, and a high of 56 in his last three county appearances, crippling his chances of gaining a respectable position in the international fold.