Ashes 2019: Manchester traffic takes sandpaper dig at Australia ahead of fourth Test

The 2019 edition of the Ashes has intensified with the progression of every encounter. There’s hasn’t been any dearth of excitement by any stretch of the imagination. Following Australia’s dominating victory on the backs of Steve Smith’s twin centuries, the Three Lions drew level in the series at the Headingley in Leeds. Ben Stokes single-handedly destroyed Tim Paine and Co.

The second Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground could also have produced a result had rain not played spoilsport. The series is currently level at 1-1 with nothing much to choose between the arch-rivals. In the last game, the Aussies had the chance of retaining the Ashes with a 2-0 lead, but Stokes’ brilliance denied them the privilege. The fourth Test is set to be played at the Old Trafford.

The atmosphere in Manchester is heated up and understandably so. In the meantime, the traffic department in the city has taken a massive dig at the visiting team prior to the game. The traffic trolled Paine’s men reminding them off the infamous ball-tampering scandal at the Newlands

The Cape Town incident marked one of the darkest phases in Australian cricket. The Manchester traffic also put forth that the match is between Sir Ben Stokes and Australia. In a picture, a traffic board had something written on it, which said: “Sand minutes off your journey…Take the tram!”

Here is Manchester’s troll picture

Manchester getting Ashes-ready…

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— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) September 3, 2019

Not the first time for Australia in the series

A few months before the start of the series, it was learned that that Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft and David Warner would be welcomed by a hostile English crowd. It has exactly been the same as the audience booed the three cricketers, who were found guilty, on a number of instances. A section of the English throng also brought out the sandpaper after Warner got out in the first Test.

A few of the fans wore a mask, where Smith was seen crying. Following the tampering saga, Smith broke down in a press conference, admitting his guilt with his father consoling him. Smith was even a recipient of hostility from the crowd even after he was hit by the bouncer from Jofra Archer at the Home of Cricket.

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