Caribbean legend Brian Lara to feature in Bushfire relief match

Brian Lara, the veteran West Indies left-handed batsman, is set to take part in the charity match, which is being organised to raise funds for the ones affected in the Bushfire Tragedy in New South Wales. The southpaw will be joining a number of colossal names for the contest. The match is named ‘Bushfire Cricket Bash’ and will take the centre-stage on Saturday, February 8.

On the very days two more matches will also be taking place. In women’s cricket, India and Australia will be locking horns in tri-series game at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, also featuring England. On the other hand, the final of the Big Bash League (BBL) will be held at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. The Sydney Sixers is one of the teams for the final after they beat the Melbourne Stars.

Lara joins Walsh and Sachin

Meanwhile, the news of Lara playing the bushfire relief match was reported by cricket.com.au. Apart from Lara, Pakistan great Wasim Akram and Yuvraj Singh, the 2011 World Cup Player of the Tournament, are also scheduled to weave their magic in the charity match. The announcement of Lara comes after Sachin Tendulkar and Courtney Walsh was added as coaches of the teams.

The match will be played between the Ricky Ponting XI and Shane Warne XI. Among Australian greats, features Mathew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin and Mike Hussey, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Justin Langer, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Alex Blackwell. Mel Jones and former Aussie skipper Steve Waugh will also take part in non-playing capacities.

In order to raise money for the victims, a number of players have come forward. Warner put up his prestigious Baggy Green in the auction, a move which garnered him loads of praises from the cricket fraternity. The likes of Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell and D’Arcy Short also said that they would be donating AUD 250 each for every six they hit in the ongoing 209-20 BBL.

Even Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan all-rounder, lent his helping hand to Australia in crisis. He wished to help the victims through the ‘Shahid Afridi Foundation’. The bushfire incident has created a lot of ruckus and one of the games in the BBL had to be called off due to poor air quality. The New Zealand and Australia players also wore black arm-bands during the Sydney Test.