23 Jun 2015 | Cricket
England's cricketers are set to learn Welsh as part of a festival at Cardiff Castle, before next month's Investec Ashes Test Match at The SSE SWALEC.
The educational experience for the team will come as part of the Tafwyl festival, which will include sports representation from Glamorgan CCC, Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff City FC and Golf Wales over the two days.
The England players will learn a few sentences in the language before holding sport workshops with local fans as part of the festival, celebrating the Welsh language in Cardiff.
England Captain Alastair Cook has more links with Wales than may first meet the eye. The Essex-born batsman's mother is from Swansea, meaning cook is the only link the side has with Wales, after Simon Jones last played for England after the successful 2005 Ashes Series.
The squad who will begin the first Test against Australia at The SSE SWALEC on July 8th, will be learning a few sentences from 12pm on July 5th.
Ahead of the event, captain Cook said, We are very excited to visit Tafwyl Festival at Cardiff Castle.
In preparation for the Investec Ashes Test Match at Cardiff, the guys are keen to meet local fans and learn some Welsh.
Also in the line-up for Tafwyl festival is the visit of the Investec Ashes Series trophy, whilst the Rugby World Cup trophy will be there too, visiting the Castle on July 4th as part of its tour of Britain.
Tafwyl expects 25,000 visitors over the whole two-day free event, which will incorporate a sports area and climbing wall within the Castle and run over July 4-5.
The SSE SWALEC will host the Ashes Test Match for only the second time following the success of 2009, when England and Australia played out a memorable draw.