Two days before England play Australia in the first Ashes Test in Birmingham, the hosts didn’t forget to remind the current Ashes champions of their recent defeat to England in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-finals at the same ground. Edgbaston seems to have kick-started sledging for Ashes 2019 with its dig at Australian team. Unlike the past, when Australia would play such mind games and try and get a psychological advantage over their Ashes rivals, England has drawn the first blood this time around. England vs Australia, Ashes 2019 Schedule With Match Time in IST For Free PDF Download: Full ENG vs AUS Test Series Time Table, Fixtures and Venue Details.

Scores from CWC 2019 semi-final at Edgbaston, which will be hosting the first Ashes game, flashed on the ground’s scoreboard. England beat Australia by eight wickets in the CWC 2019 semi-final to eliminate the former champions out of the tournament. The scoreboard posted in the ground’s giant dashboard was to remind Australia of its humbling defeat at the hands of the same opposition it faces days later. Jason Gillespie Takes a Sly Dig at Edgbaston Cricket Ground for Keeping the Scorecard of CWC Semi-Finals As Australia & England Gear Up for Ashes 2019.

England's Brutal Sledge at Australia

Their actions incited reactions from many including former Aussie pacer Jason Gillespie. Many called it as England's attempt to sledge Australia as Ashes 2019 drew closer. England play Australia in the first Ashes game at Edgbaston on August 1.

Barmy Army Reacts

Welcome to Edgbaston Australia

England eventually went on to win CWC 2019 and lifted their maiden World Cup title after beating New Zealand in the final under dramatic circumstances. But 15 days have passed since CWC 2019 and Edgbaston has already hosted two domestic T20 matches, which means that the cheeky Edgbaston ground staff took all the trouble of setting up the scoreboard again from the ENG vs AUS semi-final encounter. The staff probably tried to return some sledge from the past or maybe kick-start the sledging procession for this 2019 Ashes series.

But it didn’t go unnoticed. When Australia walked out to train at the Edgbaston cricket ground on Monday evening many players noticed the scoreboard. Among them was Gillespie, who also took to Twitter to call on the decision by the ground staff.

Interesting Decision

England and Australia in five-match Ashes series, starting August 1, 2019 (Thursday). Ashes 2019 will also kick-off ICC's Test Championship.  The Test Championship will involve 71 Test matches and will be played across 27 series. Teams will play three home and three away series. Top two teams will eventually contest in the ICC World Test Championship Final on June 2021.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2019 05:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).