Poker Ashes on Sky Sports

Cricket legends Shane Warne and Darren Gough are taking the drama and tension of the Ashes and transferring it from the cricket crease to the poker table with the 888.com Poker Ashes. Both captains will be looking to secure the first bragging rights of what will be a fiercely competitive sporting summer between the two nations when they go head-to-head on the green baize.

Aussie captain Shane Warne commented: “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!”

England captain Darren Gough, added: “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 two teams will include professional cricketers and online qualifiers who won their seats at the table in exclusive 888.com tournaments. The England team includes Rob Key, Dimi Mascheranas, Peter Such, Gladstone Small, Min Patel and online qualifiers Glenn Curran and Steve Falzon. The Australian team includes Damien Martyn, Dean Jones, Jeff Thomson and online qualifiers John Taner and Adam Kloens.

The five tests will be broadcast on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 from the 15-19th July.

Broadcast times:

15th July 10.30pm Sky Sports 1

16th July 10.30pm Sky Sports 1

17th July 10pm Sky Sports 2

18th July 10pm Sky Sports 1

19th July 10pm Sky Sports 2