Merchant Taylors' young cricketers had the unforgettable experience of training with Australia as they prepare for the Ashes

England will be looking to wrestle the urn back from the tourists this summer after a 5-0 whitewash down under in 2013/14. And two years after first using Merchant Taylors’ facilities ahead of the series, the Aussies were back at the weekend.

“To have the world’s best team come here to train was just a huge compliment for the school; it was a dream come true for the boys and something they will never forgot,” said Luke Foot, head of sport at Merchant Taylors’. “We are hoping to have them back again in a couple of years’ time.”

And not only did the school host the world’s number two ranked Test team, their first XI were also privileged enough to train with the likes of Michael Clarke and Steven Smith.

Director of cricket Tom Webley said: “The Australian team manager emailed about six weeks in advance to say they needed net bowlers and fielders so we put our first team forward and they were very complimentary about the boys.

“It was brilliant for all the boys and for the school too. The most pleasing aspect was they said our facilities were world class. They wanted somewhere relatively low-key where they would not be pestered too much by the media and fans.

“It was a massive coup for the school. The media interest we gained was great too and a couple of the boys were interviewed by Sky Sports News. It is a great selling point for the school.”

Foot added: “They recognised the talent here and were very complimentary of everything. It was great for the boys and every young cricketer’s dream.

“To have our young cricketers rubbing shoulder with all those big names was just incredible.”

And it was Webley who initiated the visit of Darren Lehman’s side after John Carr, director of operations at the England and Wales Cricket Board, got in touch with head groundsman at the school, Richard Ayling.

Foot explained: “A lot of it was down to our director of cricket Tom Webley and our staff who have helped produce first-class cricket here.

“A lot of credit must go to Tom Webley and his relationship with Cricket Australia, which has gone from strength to strength really. He is someone behind the scenes who tends to never get a mention.”

So did Webley pick up any tips from Lehmann and his coaching staff?

“I think what was really interesting was just watching how they trained because it is not focused on duration at all; it is all about short, sharp drills,” he said.

“They kept it really simple and once they were happy with something, they finished.

“They had an hour and if they were happy with what they had done, that was enough and they just stopped.

“It was also great having the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin do a 30-minute masterclass for our two wicketkeepers afterwards, which was brilliant and he gave the boys some really good tips.”

Australia gather ahead of practice outside the pavilion at Merchant Taylors'. Picture: Action Images

On Wednesday Merchant Taylors’ had further cause for celebration as they overcome Haberdashers at Lord’s by seven wickets.

England will face Australia in the second Ashes Test at the world-famous home of cricket on July 16 but on Wednesday the nursery ground played host to a rather more modest fixture.

“About 500 people came down to watch and it was a big old boy’s day, a brilliant day for the school and a great experience for the boys playing there,” said Webley. “I am a member of the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) and got in touch with Lord’s and managed to get it for a reasonable price.

“Hopefully we will keep it as an annual event,” the director of cricket added.