Cricket Australia has announced a charity cricket match featuring the best of the Australian and international stars, including that from other fields of entertainment. The board announced the signing of various cricket stars for the "Bushfire Cricket Bash" to be played on February 8.
It was confirmed that legends Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting will be leading the respective sides that'll also feature Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Justin Langer, with former skipper Steve Waugh and former women's cricketer Mel Jones set to perform an off-field role.
The game to be played just prior to the Men's Big Bash League final will have all the money raised out of it donated to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
CA CEO Kevin Roberts believes this will be just a small help to those affected by the catastrophic fires that have killed at least 27 people and demolished more than 2,000 homes in the country.
"People the world over have seen the overwhelming images of hundreds of thousands of hectares burnt, precious lives lost, hundreds of properties destroyed and the devastating loss of wildlife as a result of the fires," AFP quoted Roberts as saying.
"These images have reinforced the need to get behind organizations like the Australian Red Cross which is responding to the immediate requirements of people who have lost loved ones, their homes, and their livelihoods."
Also on the wishlist of international stars are Brian Lara, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar.
Further AUD2 million (US$1.38 million) will be used to assist the communicated cricket clubs impacted by the fires. Players have been doing their bit too with many of them auctioning their memorabilia and promising to provide financial help for every six hit and wicket taken during the ongoing BBL.
Warne's baggy green cap was on Friday (January 10) auctioned at a sum of Aus$1 million (nearly $700,000) that will all be used in aiding the victims.
(Inputs from AFP)
