AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM SET TO ENJOY ‘TWO WEEKS IN LEICESTER'

A unique visitor experience awaits Ricky Ponting and his players during their stay in Leicester and Leicestershire ahead of this summer's Ashes series

Australian cricket captain, Ricky Ponting's fears came true last night (Monday 8 June 2009) when his team were eliminated from the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in England. Prior to the team's defeat against Sri Lanka, he was quoted as saying "We'll have two weeks in Leicester if we have an early exit here - that won't be good for anybody".

As disappointed as Ricky Ponting and the Australian team will be following their defeat, they can comfort themselves with the fact that Leicester and Leicestershire offer many delights for the players to enjoy during their enforced stay here between matches.

They can visit any of the unique visitor attractions including the National Space Centre, Twycross Zoo, Bosworth Battlefield, Great Central Railway and Conkers, sample delicious local produce such as Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Stilton Cheese, or mouth-watering Asian cuisine in the Curry Capital of Britain. They can take in performances at the iconic Curve theatre, enjoy retail therapy at the £350 million Highcross Leicester development, experience the great outdoors at The National Forest, or for the music lovers in the group, Billy Bragg and many other acts appear on the bill at the outstanding Big Session music festival at De Montfort Hall from 19-21 June.

The Australian team (and other interested visitors) can find out more at www.goleicestershire.com

Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions, commented: "On a sporting level, the National Cricket Academy in Loughborough, Leicestershire offers superb facilities for the team's training regime prior to the Ashes series against England. However, if they find themselves with any free time, there is a wide range of unique experiences awaiting them here in Leicester and Leicestershire.

"Several years ago, Sir Terry Wogan offered a very similar comment before he'd visited the area and now brings his annual fan club convention here every year. We hope that Ricky and the Australian team will take away a suitably positive feeling after they've had a chance to spend some of their leisure time here," continued Martin Peters.

This year Leicester and Leicestershire are to be the home of the much anticipated Special Olympics GB, due to take place from 25-31 July 2009. The city and county will attract around 2,700 athletes representing 19 Special Olympic regions during the Games. The event will also bring around 6,000 family members of athletes to the city and county.  

About Leicester Shire Promotions:
Leicester Shire Promotions is a private, not-for-profit company formed in July 2003 as a partnership between Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership. The company is the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) responsible for promoting Leicester and Leicestershire to visitors, based on a coordinated place marketing strategy that focuses on destination leadership and coordination, attracting and visitors, services for and visitors, and services for the tourism industry. For more information, please visit www.goleicestershire.com

For further media information, please contact:
Simon Gribbon
Leicester Shire Promotions
T: 0116 225 4001
simon.gribbon@l-p-l.com