Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies great Courtney Walsh will coach the Ponting XI and Warne XI respectively, in the Bushfire Cricket Bash on Saturday, February 8.
The bushfire relief match will take place ahead of the Big Bash final with the venue to be confirmed on January 31 after the Qualifier is played with the winning team hosting the finale.
Ahead of the double-header, the Australia and India women’s teams will play their tri-series match in Melbourne, and it could be the city that would host the trio of games if the Melbourne Stars secure the BBL final berth.
Alongside Ricky Ponting and Shane Warner, Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Alex Blackwell, and Michael Clarke have confirmed their participation in the match.
“We are absolutely honoured to be welcoming Sachin and Courtney back to Australia where they both enjoyed a lot of success as players, and we can’t wait to have them involved in what is going to be a special day,” the Cricket Australia CEO, Kevin Roberts, was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
The Bushfire Cricket Bash is one of the initiatives Cricket Australia has undertaken to raise funds for those impacted by the devastating bushfires around the nation over the last few months. And all profits and funds raised from the match will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
Earlier this month, Warne’s “baggy green” cap, awarded to him on his Test debut, was sold at auction for more than A$ 1 million with all funds aiding victims.
