With two of the five Test matches between England and Australia taking place in London this summer, the capital will play an essential role in deciding the destination of the famous Ashes urn.
Both Lord’s Cricket Ground and The Oval will see these two great rivals go head to head, for what is for many still the greatest spectacle cricket has to offer.
First London Showdown At The Home Of Cricket
After the opening skirmish between these rivals at Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord’s will play host to the second Test between June 28 and July 2. England, who are 11/8 in the cricket betting online to win this Ashes this summer, drew their last meeting with Australia back in August 2019. Having also lost to the Baggy Greens at Lord’s in 2015, one has to go back to July 2013 since England’s last Test victory against the Aussies at the famous London venue in St John’s Wood.
England will be determined to get back to winning ways at this famous ground which was established all the way back in 1814. With its Victorian architecture, Lord’s remains one of the most unique sporting venues in the world and thousands will descend on its seats to witness what should be another great battle between these Test sides. With a capacity of just over 31,000 people, the noise can be something special at Lord’s especially when England and Australia are on show. After the action at Lord’s the Ashes roadshow makes its way north for the third and fourth Tests on either side of the Pennines. Leeds will host the third Test at Headingley and Manchester’s Old Trafford bears witness to the fourth encounter before the show returns to the capital.
Series Concludes In London
The Oval will play host to the last, and potentially decisive, Ashes Test with the opening day on July 27. Unlike at Lord’s, England won their last meeting with the Baggy Greens at The Oval, coming out on top by 135 runs in September 2019. Based in the Kennington area of London, this ground is slightly younger than Lord’s with a smaller capacity. Built back in 1845 and owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, the home of Surrey Country Cricket Club holds 27,500 spectators. A ground that has also hosted an FA Cup final and rugby union clashes between England and Scotland in the past, The Oval is another ground steeped in sporting history.
England, with skipper Ben Stokes leading from the front, will be hoping to write more success into the history books this summer when head coach Brendon McCullum and his side face Australia. McCullum saw his side beat Ireland in a convincing manner in the pre-Ashes Test match at Lord’s and the Kiwi coach will be hoping that’s a good omen for more success to come in London over the coming weeks.
Lord’s and The Oval have witnessed some special sporting moments over the decades and England and Australia are preparing to write the next chapter in these iconic London venues this summer.