Cricket ace Jimmy Anderson’s ‘Burnley Express’ banner fame

The banner, courtesy of former Burnley Express employee Ian McKay, was broadcast on Australian television during England’s historic final test victory in the Ashes.

Ian, of Crookhalgh Avenue, Worsthorne, was at the game with his friend Chris Lincoln, of Scafell Close, when they were interviewed during the Australian coverage of the game.

Ian, who worked as operations manager for the Express, said: “It was the trip of a lifetime. My wife Linda and I felt we should do something to honour Jimmy Anderson who is such a good ambassador for Burnley.

“She thought of his nickname and a pitchside reporter came and asked us the meaning behind it. The Sydney Cricket Ground is a tremendous stadium so to have a banner beamed onto the big screens in front of all those thousands of people was something else.

“The atmosphere was absolutely brilliant and Jimmy did us proud. He’s one of the best swing bowlers in the world and I agree with the Burnley Express campaign to have him honoured in some way.”

The third day of the final test was a “pink day” in memory of Jane McGrath, the wife of former Australian bowler Glenn McGrath, who died from breast cancer in 2008.