The World Ashes is one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting events in the world, backed up by a rich history of drama, anticipation and pure competition as two great nations, the UK and Australia, compete for the honour of taking the famous Ashes home, and prove that they are the very best cricket players in the world.
This great event was the inspiration for the 888 Poker Ashes 2009, the brainchild of Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne, which takes all of the rivalry of the Ashes and moves it to the poker table, with poker players and poking playing cricketers from both nations competing to win not only $50,000 for the charity of their choice, but also to prove that for once and for all,
their country is the best!
Tryouts for the final teams for the 888 Poker Ashes 2009 were held at the beginning of the year, with the best poker players from each nation competing in a free to enter qualifying tournament to win a place under their team captains Shane Warne (Au) and Darren Gough (UK). Thefinal teams were made up of a mix of professional cricket players and top-level poker qualifiers, and the UK line up included cricketers Rob Key, Dimi Mascheranas, Peter Such and Min Patel and online qualifiers Glenn Curran and Steve Falzon.
The Aussie team included Damien Martyn and Jeff Thomson and online qualifiers John Taner and Adam Kloens. The five test matches were broadcast live on Sky Sports during July 2009, and Shane Warne led his team to victory over the UK team, with an interesting side bet which would see the losing captain wearing the opposing team’s shirt for the Lords cricket Test Match. Losing team captain Yorkshireman Darren Gough bravely stuck to his word and did indeed appear on the field wearing the Australian green and gold shirt for the match.
To find out more about the results of the tense and thrilling events of the Poker Ashes 2009 you can visit the 888poker website.;)
