Get Ready for the Ashes!

  • July 1st, 2015
  • Camilla Chapman

The biggest Cricket series of the year is just around the corner, with two fierce rivals to face one another for the ultimate prize in test Cricket; the Ashes. England and Australia will face off once more for the prestigious urn, pride and bragging rights, with the first test starting on the 8th of July in Cardiff. England are looking to rebuild and regain the Ashes - after a 5-0 whitewash two years ago in Australia - and may go into the series with confidence, after the success of the ODI and Test series against New Zealand recently. Australia, on the other hand, will be looking to retain the urn they won so emphatically in 2013, go into the series on the back of a 2-0 win against the West Indies.

It's certainly due to be a feisty affair, with no love lost between the two sides, with the rivalry spanning back many, many years. Here is the line-up of the five Ashes tests that's coming up this summer:

  • 8-12th of July - 1st Test, Cardiff
  • 16th-20th of July - 2nd Test, Lords
  • 29th of July-2nd of August - 3rd Test, Edgbaston
  • 6th-10th of August - 4th Test, Trent Bridge
  • 20th-24th of August - 5th Test, The Oval

Get ready for a summer full of Cricket and you may even be inspired by some of the top players in test cricket! If you want to hit fours like Alastair Cook, or bowl fast like Mitchell Johnson, then we have the perfect drills for you! Take a look at these drills to improve your game - whether that may be bowling or batting, or even fielding - and our Cricket drills page for more information on how to join Sportplan Cricket. Don't forget to vote in our poll for who you think will take home the Ashes this summer!

The Cut Shot:

The cut shot allows the batsman to free their arms and hit the ball with plenty of power - if the bowler gives the batsman a short, wide delivery, they can be hit for four off square of the wicket if this shot is executed perfectly!
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Hitting a Target:

Use this drill if you're a fast bowler looking to improve your accuracy. The key is to focus on the target - the more focused you are, then the more likely you are to hit the target!
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5 Stump Pentagon Drill:

Improve your concentration and throwing accuracy out in the field, with this popular drill. Back up with your team-mates and take those fielding opportunities, by developing your anticipation and technique!
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