Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne will captain the teams in Cricket Australia’s bushfire relief match, which will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Big Bash League (BBL) final on February 8.
The games will form part of a triple-header on the same day, with Australia to host India in a women’s T20 international at the MCG in Melbourne.
Australia coach Justin Langer and fellow former national team stars Adam Gilchrist, Alex Blackwell, Brett Lee, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson have also confirmed their names for the Bushfire Cricket Bash.
Steve Waugh and former Australian women cricketer Mel Jones will have non-playing roles in the game.
International cricket legends Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni are on the wishlist.
“All those guys who have been out here and traveled with different countries have had great times in Australia, whether it’s playing here or getting out and about,” Ponting was quoted as saying in cricket.com.au.
“It sometimes can be amazing what people will do to try and help others out in difficult times.”
The venue will only be decided when the host of the BBL is confirmed, but the MCG looms as a likely option.
Last year’s runners-up, the Melbourne Stars, are at the top in the points table, ahead of the Sydney Sixers, after eight games.
“People have been speaking to some of the players from different countries, like the Tendulkars and [MS] Dhonis and those sort of guys. We can only reach out to them and see if they want to help out. It has been a pretty tragic time,” Ponting said.
“All those guys have toured here and have had great times in Australia. Sometimes it can be amazing what people will do to help others out in difficult times. We can only ask. Warnie has most of them on speed dial, so he’ll be reaching out to them over the coming days,” he added.
