The Ashes reach Asia

Date released: 18 December 2009

Oli Broom and his bike at Lord's Oli Broom, who is aiming to cycle 25,000km to the next Ashes Series in Australia, has reached a new continent - Asia, taking with him an Ashes Urn from MCC & Lord's.

Broom set-out on his epic trip from Lord's back in October.

Since then he has passed through 11 countries on his way through Europe making lots of new friends and spreading the word about the great game of cricket.

To help him explain his quest through language barriers MCC & Lord's gave him a prop - a replica Ashes Urn to take with him on his trip.

George the Serbian farmer has one up on Ricky Ponting this year! That Urn has been with him every step of the way - recently ending up in the hands of a Serbian farmer, George.

More about 'Cycling to the Ashes'

Keen cricketer Broom had spent months planning his trip and when MCC and Lord's heard about his efforts they were only too keen to help.

Originally the charity-cyclist had planned to set off from outside the famous Lord's Cricket Ground - so naturally MCC threw open the gates to welcome Oli and the media covering his efforts into 'HQ'.

The cycling cricket-nut is planning to cover the 25,000km from London to Brisbane (via around 30 countries) in time for the start of the next Ashes Series in 2010 - preaching the virtues of cricket all the way.

In the words of his own website's slogan: "14 months 25000km on a bike London to Brisbane with a cricket bat!"

Charities to benefit

Broom has chosen two charities to benefit from the sponsorship monies he hopes to raise. The target is to raise £100,000 for:

The Lord's Taverners who help young people, particularly those with social, environmental, physical or learning disadvantages, to enjoy cricket and other sporting and leisure activities.

- and the BNRT - British Neurological Research Trust: who support research to find a method of repairing damage to the brain and spinal cord in patients suffering from the crippling effects of spinal cord injury, birth injuries, strokes, head injuries, multiple sclerosis and degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

Taking the urn to Australia

Oli Broom with the Ashes Urn donated by MCC With the target in mind and following England's thrilling Ashes victory at Lord's - MCC thought they would add a small item to Broom's laden bicycle: a replica Ashes Urn.

If nothing else it was hoped it may help explain things when bemused foreigners in non-cricketing nations ask "Why?" as he tries to explain his quest.

We will be updating news on Broom's journey throughout the next 14 months - at the time of writing he is just outside Çorlu in Turkey, heading towards Istanbul.

• Cycling to the Ashes - how to donate