TEAM GB: Senior test match teams announced

Great Britain team boss, Dave Murphy has released the line ups for the four teams that will face Australia and Poland in the upcoming test matches, held at Horspath, Newport, Poole and Coventry.

TEAM GB – 2015 TEST MATCH TEAMS – (Riders listed in alphabetical order)

TEAM GB v AUSTRALIA at HORSPATH (Monday July 27th)

Mark Boaler, Mark Carmichael, Steve Harris, Paul Heard (c), Ben Mould, Lewis Osborne, Matt Smith, Gavin Wheeler.

TEAM GB v AUSTRALIA at NEWPORT (Wednesday July 29th)

Lee Aris, Josh Brooke, Mark Carmichael, Nick Evans, Paul Heard (c), Ben Mould, Chris Parish, Adam Peck.

TEAM GB v POLAND at POOLE (Thursday July 30th)

Lee Aris, Mark Boaler, Myke Grimes, Paul Heard (c), Ben Mould, Aaron Smith, Chris Timms, Gavin Wheeler.

TEAM GB v AUSTRALIA at COVENTRY (Thursday August 6th)

Andy Angell, Lee Aris, Mark Boaler, Myke Grimes, Paul Heard (c), Ricki Johnson, Ben Mould, Chris Timms.

In addition (for Ashes Series):

Zac Payne will be 9th man (on standby) at Horspath in case of any late/non-arrival

Steve Harris will be 9th man (on standby) at Newport in case of any late/non-arrival

Steve Harris will be 9th man (on standby) at Coventry in case of any late/non-arrival

Team manager Dave Murphy has indicated that, whilst some team selections have been dictated by rider availability (such as Andy Angell being restricted by work commitments and Chris Timms being unavailable for section in the 1st Test), he is comfortable that those selected are most capable of meeting the challenges ahead.

Murphy told 33/18 News “I’ve been in this game long enough to know that ‘team managers’ across the country will have numerous variations on the teams which I’ve selected based on their own preferences. That’s fine and all adds to the debate which fuels to the buzz that we get when the Ashes Test Series come around.”

He added “However, these are my preferences and my chosen GB teams, so all that I ask is that the whole British Cycle Speedway fraternity gets behind this GB squad with the support that it deserves” – “Go team GB!”

All GB riders will have the additional motivation of fighting for a place in the 7-rider Federation Cup team, which will take on Australia and Poland at East Park on Saturday August 8th.