Aussies Take On England In Poker Ashes

Shane Warne and Darren Gough will be leading their teams out to do battle in the Ashes from the 15th to the 19th July 2009. The difference this time is that the cricket ground has been replaced with that of the poker beize.
The Poker Ashes, sponsored by 888.com, promises to be a highly entertaining and competitive contest, with both teams looking to score a prestigious victory over their old rivals.
The captain of Australia, Shane Warne, signalled the intent of his team when he proclaimed: “Aussies don’t like to be beaten by the pomms – whatever the sport. I can tell you that Darren Gough and his England team will face a stern test from our boys! We are taking this very seriously – I’m getting the very best poker players from the Aussie changing rooms, and you pomms are set for an absolute flogging!”
Darren Gough, the England captain shrugged off Warne’s comments, and confidently proclaimed: “We’ve only got one thing on our minds and that’s victory in the inaugural 888.com Poker Ashes. We’ve got home advantage and the best poker players in English cricket flying the flag. It’s going to be a long flight home for Shane and co after a cricket/poker double this summer.”
The England team, as well as including the likes of Rob Key, Dimi Mascheranas, Peter Such, Gladstone Small, Min Patel, will also feature two online qualifiers, Steve Falzon and Glenn Curran. Glen, a 31 year old poker enthusiasts from Northern Ireland said: “After winning I must admit I kept checking and double checking that I had won a seat on the ‘Poker Ashes’ table, but I couldn’t really believe it.I must admit I was given a bit of stick about being from Northern Ireland and playing for England, but I just responded about England having to take some Ireland cricketers, so I decided to help them out on the poker table.”
The Aussie team includes Damien Martyn, Jeff Thomson and Dean Jones, as well two online qualifiers John Taner and Adam Kloens.
The action can be followed on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2, with the first test showing tonight at 10.30pm