Aussies Get Special Welcome To Manchester
The England and Wales Cricket Board has produced a version of the iconic ‘Welcome to Manchester’ poster to mark the Investec Ashes Test at Emirates Old Trafford which begins on Thursday.
The poster features Lancashire CCC and England star James Anderson, rather than the then Manchester City player Carlos Tevez, and has been installed in Deansgate in the heart of Manchester as part of the ECB’s #RISE campaign.
Local boy Anderson has taken 13 wickets in the series so far, with England looking to retain the urn with a win or a draw in the third Test at Emirates Old Trafford this week.
The Lancashire fast bowler has a strong connection with the Manchester ground, having joined protests himself outside Trafford council as part of a team effort to ensure the continuation of the city’s international pedigree.
The protests were successful and have since seen a new media centre built, along with an increased capacity to over 25,000 and the elevation of the old pavilion.
Since the Investec Ashes Series began on 10th July, there have been over 1 million tweets using #Ashes and more than 70,000 using #RISE. All online activity of both England and Australia fans is being tracked at http://www.ashesfanfaceoff.com/, with the ECB’s campaign currently in the lead.
#RISE is also being promoted with dressing around the Emirates Old Trafford ground.
