FOOTIE BOOST FOR AUSSIES
AuSTrALIA’S Ashes challenge received Premier League backing yesterday when Brighton goalkeeper Mat ryan experienced a different kind of net by watching their training session at Lord’s. ryan, fresh from keeping a clean sheet in Brighton’s 3-0 victory over Watford on Saturday, chatted to his compatriots before urging them to give him the bragging rights over his Brighton team-mates by going on to win the urn. ‘I couldn’t put it into words how satisfying it would be for Australia to win the Ashes,’ said the Sydneyborn goalkeeper who has played in two World Cups for Australia. ‘I’m always looking for reasons to stick it to the Brighton guys. ‘They had the last laugh in the World Cup so it was nice to get that leg up in the first match of the Ashes. It’s been a while since we won it on away soil so it would be great if we could do it here now.’ ryan was a keen cricketer in his youth but resisted the urge to join in the optional Aussie training session before Wednesday’s second Test. ‘I don’t think my club would be too keen on the cricket ball coming at me at 90 miles per hour so I’ll stay away for now,’ he said. ‘I used to be a bit of an allrounder so maybe I could contribute a couple of overs of off spin. We’ve got a day off on Wednesday so I’m looking forward to coming here (Lord’s) again.’ Australia’s football connection was extended further when a group of players visited the London Stadium on Saturday to watch West ham take on Manchester City.