Ben hoping to stamp his authority

Ipswich ‘Sackers’ Witches No.1 Ben Barker leads Great Britain into tonight’s Test match at Foxhall hoping to stamp his authority on proceedings.

Barker admits he hasn’t made the brightest of starts to life at Foxhall for the Witches and his points haul hasn’t been what he would have liked.

But it’s not through a lack of effort – he knows it will come.

And he hopes tonight his home track knowledge will click into gear and prove crucial to the Great Britain team.

“I’ve lacked consistency so far at Foxhall, I know that,” he admitted.

“I need to make Foxhall my fortress and it would be nice to do well against the Aussies.”

Not that it will be easy tonight for Barker and his GB team-mates against an Aussie side that contains plenty of Foxhall experts.

None more so than Somerset’s Jason Doyle who has already raced at Ipswich a number of times this season, as has his Somerset team-mate Alex Davies.

Eastbourne’s Cameron Woodward leads the team from Down Under in this the first of five Test matches, while former Witch Dakota North knows the best way round Foxhall.

For Great Britain, Barker, who has ridden for his country at under-21 and full international level, thinks Ipswich’s young teen reserve Adam Ellis will enjoy the experience.

“Adam is flying right now and it will be exciting for him to be racing for Great Britain,” Barker added.

“And it’s nice for Leigh (Lanham) too. I know he has already ridden at under-21 level, but this will be good for him on his home circuit.”

Great Britain will need all the Witches to chip in well and hope the likes of Eastbourne’s Lewis Bridger can bring his Elite League knowledge to the table.

Normal admission prices apply tonight and the meeting is being run over the usual 15-heat format.