Ladbrokes erects Ben Stokes poster outside Australia team hotel
UK bookie aims to tap into Ashes mania with iconic image of England all-rounder
Ladbrokes has looked to tap into the 2019 Ashes hype by erecting a poster of England cricket hero Ben Stokes outside the Australian team hotel.
England levelled the series in spectacular fashion at Headingley last time out, coming back from a 67-run first innings to win by one wicket.
Stokes etched his name into Ashes history with a final innings performance of 135 not out, dispatching the final runs through the covers to seal the win.
The Ladbrokes billboard covers a display of 5.6 metres by 7.1 metres and captures the moment Stokes scored the winning runs during the third test.
Welcome to Manchester. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/HGIv3N8sfa
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) September 4, 2019
Ladbrokes claims to have been inspired by a similar poster of Carlos Tevez in 2009, when the Argentine footballer joined Manchester City from bitter rivals Manchester United.
Ladbrokes head of PR Jessica O’Reilly said: “Ben Stokes’ final innings at Headingley was the stuff of legend, so we thought it was only right to honour it ahead of the fourth test.
“Thankfully we found a spot just yards away from the Australian team’s hotel to give them a timely reminder.
“Hopefully our little sledge will help get England on the road to victory,” she added.