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Late night Ashes cricket not on the menu at Horsforth pubs

By Jake Jones

As the England national cricket side find themselves under the cosh in Australia, local pubs in Horsforth have mixed feelings about getting into the Ashes spirit.

With the contest well and truly underway, cricket’s biggest rivalry is mostly taking place while the UK sleeps.

This time around the event is only being televised on one station, contrary to four years ago when it was broadcast across multiple channels. Therefore pubs around Leeds are looking to put on events during the night as well as getting groups of people together to support Yorkshire’s England players.

The added incentive of extra cash may seem like too good an opportunity to miss for businesses, but finding staff willing to work at unsociable hours may prove to be a stumbling block.

The Old Ball on Brownberrie Lane has opted against holding any special events whilst this epic sporting rivalry unfolds over the next few months.

Bar manager Sophie Naylor said they are showing highlights of the day’s play in the evening and late morning. When asked about why the pub wasn’t taking advantage of the extra financial benefits showing the Ashes live could bring to the pub, she added: “With it being stupid o’clock in the morning we just don’t see it as time promoting it well spent.”

Abi Byerley, a barmaid at the Brownlee Arms, said: “I understand the caution taken because it’s on during the night but would understand if they wanted to do something, especially with Leeds Trinity up the road. It may have drawn in a great student vibe during the early hours”.

It remains to be seen whether pubs will change their tactics should Joe Root’s side manage to get back into the series. The third Test starts on Thursday.

What do you think?