A TASTE of the Ashes is taking place in East Lancashire tomorrow.

Club players from Rawtenstall CC are hosting Aussie touring side The Wattlesprigs at Bacup Road.

The team which takes its name from the Australian’s national flower, has already played eight games on its current tour.

Veterans turning out for The Wattlesprigs, who play for amateur sides across Oz, will be looking for revenge for a 2005 defeat, when they last visited the Rossendale ground.

Club bosses at the Lancashire League side are also hoping the fixture provides a timely fundraising boost as work continues on their new headquarters.

First XI skipper Vinny Hanson has had to look far and wide for his team, to ensure there will be a fair game.

A Rawtenstall CC spokesman said on the club’s website: “Due to the fact that some of the Wattlesprigs players are in the later years of their playing careers, Vinny has had to look outside the younger players presently playing at Rawtenstall.”

He went on: “We have invited some recently-retired players to produce a balanced side and hence create a fair match situation.”

Admission to the 40-over match, from 1pm, is £2, £1 concessions.