Merchant Taylors' School will play a small part in this summer’s Ashes series as they host the Australian cricket team for three days of training.

The tourists comprehensively reclaimed the Ashes down under a little under 18 months ago, defeating England 5-0, and are favourites to retain the urn this summer.

But two-and-a-half weeks before Michael Clarke’s side walk out in Cardiff for the opening Test, they will take to the wicket at Merchant Taylors’ and could be put through their paces by the school’s first-team players.

“That is what we are trying to organise,” the school’s director of sport Luke Foot said. “That would be a great experience for some of our boys.

“They could end up bowling against the likes of Michael Clarke while a few of our batsmen could face their spinners in the nets.

“It is the second time Australia will train here, they did it before the 2013 Ashes and it just demonstrates how good the facilities we have here are.

“They are the best team in the world and we are looking forward to welcoming them. Do we want them to win the Ashes? No, but to be honest I don’t see how England can beat them.”

Australia will first use the school’s nets and wickets on Saturday, June 20, the same day Merchant Taylors’ will take on Watford Grammar School for Boys.

“It is a likely possibility that while our lads are playing on one wicket the Australian team will be practising right next to them.

“It will be fantastic to have them around and I am sure they will be happy to speak to our boys.”

But how did the world’s best Test cricket team end up identifying a school in Moor Park as a training venue?

Foot, who has worked at Merchant Taylors for five years, explained: “I believe the initial contact was through our head groundsman.

“Middlesex have also trained and played here though so people are aware of the facilities we have, they are some of the best outdoor facilities in the country.

“They were obviously happy two years ago and the relationship has blossomed from there. We will be very pleased to welcome them back.”