HEREFORDSHIRE cricket fan Matthew Slocombe hasn't given up hope that England can retain the Ashes in Australia.

Slocombe was the StowfordPressMan for Westons Cider during England’s successful Ashes summer series.

And the big cricket fan wants to be flown out to Australia as a lucky charm for England’s beleaguered side.

“The cricket is a little bit disappointing at the moment,” admitted Slocombe, ahead of the third Ashes Test which starts in Perth tomorrow morning.

“We’re 2-0 down and Australia have come good and are full of confidence. But I think we still have a chance.

“I have been staying up far too late watching the coverage on the television.

“A lot of things have been down to Mitchell Johnson, who is having a great series for Australia.

“Johnson has found his radar and coming in at 92mph has shocked the England batsmen.

“I am still working for Westons Cider and I think they should fly me out for the next couple of Tests to help England keep the Ashes.”

“I am a big cricket fan and I have supported England through the good and bad times.”

Slocombe rubbed shoulders with England’s Ashes stars during the summer’s series, which the hosts won 3-0.

He was part of Westons Cider’s campaign to maximise Stowford Press’ partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Slocombe, who runs the Crown Inn at Woolhope, provided live Twitter commentary and updates at the matches via @StowfordPressMan.

He has been signed up for next summer.

“It’s for the home season and it’s for all the home matches.

"I am the StowfordPressMan and I represent the company at all the home Test matches.

“I created the role – it was my idea and I took it to Westons.”

He went to the Test series with the West Indies the previous season.

“The reaction has been unusual,” he admitted.

“I wear a red jacket with a panama hat and I am trying to get across the interaction between visiting fans, which is unique in cricket.

“During the Ashes series, I was fairly prominent on the Westons website.

“I met Cook and quite a few of the England players and sent them some cider to help them celebrate.”

Slocombe is the chairman of Woolhope Cricket Club.

“I wasn’t able to play too much cricket last year due to my commitments but I am hoping to ask for a few more Saturdays off,” he said.

Slocombe will be watching the Ashes action in Perth with great interest.

“I believe we can win the next two Tests and then it will go down to the deciding Test."