ICC announces the World XI squad for the charity game against Windies

Luke Ronchi and Mitchell McClenaghan have filled the two remaining slots in the ICC World XI side, to be led by Eoin Morgan, that will play the fund-raising Twenty20 International against the Windies at Lord’s on 31 May. Ronchi, the wicket-keeper batsman, and McClenaghan, the left-arm paceman, joined a host of big names in the team – apart from Morgan, the set-up has Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and Rashid Khan.

The fixture has been given international status by the ICC, with the proceeds set to go towards the restoration and renovation of five venues in the Caribbean – Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla, Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua, Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica, A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in BVI and Lumber Ball Park in St Maarten – that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria to varying degrees late last year.

Morgan reacts

“It’s a great honour to be leading a side which has a selection of players from a number of nations, and I can’t wait to get on to the field for what promises to be an engrossing contest,” said Morgan. “The build-up to the event on 31st May has been very exciting with new additions announced on a regular basis, and the anticipation has been growing daily.

“I’m sure all the players, including those of the Windies side, are eager to play at Lord’s. It’s a fantastic feeling that we will be all getting together for a good cause. The cricket fraternity should be very proud that the funds raised from the match will help rebuild the stadia in the Caribbean and also contribute to the growth of the game.”

The Windies, the reigning ICC World T20 champions, will be led by Carlos Brathwaite, with the side full of big-ticket T20 stars like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree and Andre Russell.

World XI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mitchell McClenaghan, Hardik Pandya, Thisara Perera, Rashid Khan, Luke Ronchi (wk), Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal.