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The Ashes: Magpies Give Their Verdict
Written by Newcastle Utd
We go inside the United dressing room to get an Ashes preview from two goalkeepers who love their cricket
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Wednesday saw the 2015 Ashes between England and Australia get underway in Cardiff.
And it is not just at cricket clubs, pubs and offices up and down the country where it will be the talk of the next couple of months - the world of football is taking a keen interest, too.
The televisions at United's Benton-based Training Centre have been switched to show the sporting spectacle, and that is music to the ears of goalkeeping duo Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot.
The pair are both keen cricketers, and have been known to swap saving a football for diving around on the outfield after a smaller, red variety.
So we got their thoughts on the Ashes series, and who they expect to lift the famous urn at the end of it all.
KARL DARLOW
"I'm really looking forward to the Ashes starting. For the first few days it will be a case of recording it and watching back later at home, as we are on double training sessions here.
"The Ashes is a great, sporting spectacle and as someone who loves cricket, I am obviously very excited by it.
"It's a great time of year because when we are worn out after pre-season training, I can just go home and crash on the sofa and watch whatever cricket is on.
"I'll see what happens when we get back from America, but one of the Ashes tests is at Trent Bridge, in Nottingham, so I would love to get to that one - even if I could sneak in a day or two here and there around training.
Cricketing history - "When I was a youngster I used to play every summer, up until the age of about 16 or 17, when football started getting serious.
"I wasn't a bad player. I was a fast bowler, and a bit of a slogger with the bat. I would come in around number five or six and just try and smash the ball around the place.
"I loved my cricket and it was a shame I had to give it up, but hopefully when I retire from football I will still be in some fit shape to have another crack at it."
One to watch - "Stuart Broad is a friend of mine from back home in Nottingham. He's a key player for England and I will be cheering him on, hoping he gets a few wickets for us."
Prediction - "Australia are a very good side but we are on home soil, with the country behind us. I think we will beat them 2-1."
"I'm looking forward to the Ashes, and hopefully it will be a bit more competitive than it looked like it was going to be a few months ago.
"England have made a decision to play a bit more aggressive, modern cricket - even in test matches - which is good to see. We were a few years behind the rest of the countries but this is a chance to go in a new direction now.
"Australia are probably the best team in the world so it's going to be tough but it makes it more exciting and sometimes it's better being the underdogs than the favourites.
"I will look to get to one of the tests if I can, because it's always a great atmosphere. But football is the priority, obviously, so it may just be a case of watching it in and around training."
Cricketing history - "When I was a kid I used to play cricket all the time with my uncle, then played in teams through school and as I was growing up. I don't get to play as much any more but I like to keep a keen eye on it. My batting has improved a lot but is still nothing to shout about, so I would say I'm a bowler."
One to watch - "Ben Stokes. He's pushed to become the new all-rounder, and with where he is batting now - and his bowling, too - he could be a really big player."
Prediction - "The Aussies will probably win it but I think England can give it a real good go and it will be close. You don't often get five games completed in England so I'm going to go for 2-1 to Australia."
