Great Britain back Aussie crisis effort before test matches
Great Britain boss Olly Allen admits that they are “praying for rain” before their much-awaited test matches in Australia.
This is a fabulous experience for the boys. Tai apart, all those lads need to get as much track time for Great Britain under their belts. We have made it clear that test matches are the way forward for our national team. We need to be racing all over the world against as many nations as possible and on as many different tracks, surfaces and conditions.
Simon Stead, GB Speedway Team Co Team Manager
Pinjar Park Speedway in Western Australia will host a double header against Great Britain on Friday and Saturday night. But naturally, the Great British Speedway Team management have made it clear their thoughts and best wishes are with the Australian people during the horrific bush fires crisis.
Allen said: “It’s obviously a horrendous time for so many areas of Australia, to see the devastation is heartbreaking. All at the Great British Speedway Team wish all Australians our sincere hope that the crisis ends soon, we are all praying for rain. We must also pay tribute to the incredible firefighters who have risked their lives to try and limit the damage. Speedway is certainly not a priority right now but the test matches are going ahead at this stage and we will do anything we can to help.”
Great Britain will field a very strong side at Pinjar Park, led by local hero Tai Woffinden with Dan Bewley, Drew Kemp, Leon Flint, Jack Smith and Jason Edwards. Fellow team boss Simon Stead added: “This is a fabulous experience for the boys. Tai apart, all those lads need to get as much track time for Great Britain under their belts. We have made it clear that test matches are the way forward for our national team. We need to be racing all over the world against as many nations as possible and on as many different tracks, surfaces and conditions. We are particularly delighted to give Leon, Jack and Jason their first official senior Great Britain outings and are very excited to see their progress going forward.
“I believe this is a strong side we are putting out. Australia have a very strong top three so it will be interesting to see how they get on. It should definitely be a great couple of meetings. I know that Tai is very happy to lead this young side. He is 100 per cent behind the test matches and I know he’ll want to win.”
THESE TEST MATCHES WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON PINJAR PARK FACEBOOK PAGE
Pinjar Park. Friday 17th and Saturday 18th January.
Teams:
Australia - Sam Masters, Rohan Tungate, Cameron Heeps, Daniel Winchester, Kale Ballantyne, Doug Scobie.
Great Britain - Tai Woffinden, Dan Bewley, Drew Kemp, Leon Flint, Jack Smith, Jason Edwards.