Former India batsman Yuvraj Singh and former Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram have been included to play the Bushfire Cricket Bash fundraising match on February 8. They are the first international players to be drafted in for the charity game. Their confirmation comes after batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and former West Indies great Courtney Walsh was named as non-playing coaches.
The Bushfire Cricket Bash game is one of three headline acts on cricket’s day of giving the title of ‘The Big Appeal’. It will be held after the women’s T20 international between Australia and India and before the Big Bash League final on the same day.
“I would love to be involved in any way I can to raise funds or to help the people in Australia,” Wasim Akram had told AAP last week. “Before I was married to an Australian, Australia has always been very close to my heart. I feel for Australia; thank God there was rain in the last couple of days and hopefully that will help. The devastation the Australians have been through, my heart goes out to them.”
Former Australian cricketers confirmed their name to play include Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne, who will lead the two sides are – Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Alex Blackwell and Michael Clarke. Along with them, former Australia captain Steve Waugh and former Australia women’s cricket player Mel Jones will be there in a non-playing capacity.
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All match profits and funds raised on the day will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund as well.
Players confirmed: Shane Warne (c), Ricky Ponting (c), Adam Gilchrist, Alex Blackwell, Andrew Symonds, Brad Fittler, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Elyse Villani, Grace Harris, Justin Langer, Luke Hodge, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Phoebe Litchfield, Shane Watson, Yuvraj Singh, Wasim Akram.
Coaches: Sachin Tendulkar, Courtney Walsh
Non-playing capacity: Steve Waugh, Mel Jones, Andrew Johns
