ARTICLE SUMMARY
Clashes between England and Australia have long enjoyed a classic status in the world of cricket. No other regular series quite possesses the same mix of tradition, rivalry and camaraderie that the Ashes does. England is preparing to head Down Under again in 2013 and 2014.
Planning ahead is crucial when it comes to sports tourism and cricket is no different, with tickets for the best events and tour packages often snaffled up years in advance of some tours. The Ashes tour of 2013 to 2014 is unlikely to be any different, with the Australians desperate to reverse England’s recent dominance, both at home and Down Under. The next series promises to be as tense, exciting and memorable as any in recent years, so fans should make sure that they have their tickets booked soon to avoid missing out on any of the action.
Superb Cities
Anyone who books a place on a supporters’ tour should get set for the holiday of a lifetime. As well as the great sport on offer, the country of Australia has plenty to keep anyone busy away from the cricket. Whether it is the beaches of Brisbane, the New South Wales wine country or Melbourne’s cosmopolitan metropolis, visitors have plenty of culture, history and countryside to keep them busy during an Ashes series.
As for the tour itself, the players will be plying their trade in some of the greatest and best-known venues in world cricket. Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and the Melbourne Cricket Ground all host test matches, with the legendary Christmas test taking place in Melbourne. The New Year test takes place at the Sydney Cricket Ground and most tours offer fans the opportunity to see out the old year in spectacular Sydney surroundings.
Cricket Classics
As well as the test matches, there will be one-day and Twenty-20 matches to enjoy, making the tour a very long one. Thankfully, many tour operators offer a mixed set of packages that can allow you to follow part of the tour or the whole tour. The whole tour involves being away for 48 days, a total many might struggle to manage. That is why partial packages covering one, two or three matches are very popular.
As well as the cricketing action, many tour providers also offer the chance to meet cricketing heroes of days gone by. Indeed, many former professionals accompany some tours for the entire duration, providing insight and entertainment to fans as they go. This can help to make following the Ashes an even more memorable event.
Many fans favour the final two test matches of the tour, which take place over the festive period, as these really are seen as iconic matches in the cricketing calendar. With demand sure to be very high, it pays to get your booking in as soon as possible, to ensure that none of the classic cricket action will be missed.
AUTHOR BIO
Jennifer Doherty has been following cricket for longer than he can remember. After her own sporting exploits ended when she left school, she set up in the travel business, organising fans’ tours to many an Ashes series as well as other cricketing events. She now shares her expertise with a wide range of sporting and travel blogs and websites.