Watch and Play With Shane Warne at the Ashes 2009

No, Warnie isn’t quite making a comeback just yet but you can still play with him at the Ashes this year.

There’s no cricket tournament quite like the Ashes and who doesn’t want to beat England to a pulp every single time? To celebrate the legendary series of cricket, 888.com have launched their own brand of poker to commemorate the mother of all cricket events for Australians.

This will definitely be the first ever Ashes series to be played for poker. The unique event will be televised on Sky Sportsand will be played by English and Australian cricketers, much like the real Ashes. There will be a series of five “Test” matches in the tournament, except, this time the Ashes will be battled on felt rather than grass. The teams will be playing games of No Limits Texas Hold’em Poker.

Former fast bowler Darren Gough will be the captain of the England Ashes Team while the one and only Shane Warne will take up the captain’s mantle for the Australian side. For the hybrid poker-cricket fans, 888 is offering one lucky qualifier a chance to gain a spot on either side to play the Poker Ashes with these cricketers. The 2 lucky winners (one for each side) will get an all-expenses paid trip to play the tournament in the UK in June 2009.

The winner of the Poker Ashes Series 2009 will receive $50,000 USD donated to the charity of their choice, which depending on the winner will be the Shane Warne Foundation (for Australia) or the Professional Cricket Association (for England).

The show will be telecast in Australia on June 7 at 8 p.m. AEST.