Australian spin legend Shane Warne and Michael Clarke are all for a Twenty20 showdown when they lead their respective teams in an All-Star match in Brisbane today.
Warne will captain the Australian Cricketers’ Association All-Star XI, while Clarke, who has recovered from a nagging back problem, will play his first Twenty20 match since being appointed the national T20 captain by leading a KFC-sponsored Australian squad.
‘For what promises to be a fantastic opening to the Australian international season, the National Selection Panel has picked a very exciting team to take on the Johnnie Walker ACA All Stars in the game on Sunday,’ Cricket Australia NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said in a statement.
‘In selecting the team we have not considered any of the Test players who have been heavily involved in the recent one-day campaign in India to allow them to prepare for the first Test.
‘The side does however feature Michael Clarke in his first Twenty20 game since being named captain, Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle as these players have not had the same amount of cricket as the other Test players leading into Brisbane,’ he added.
Hilditch said the match would also serve as good preparation for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup.
‘While the emphasis will be on entertainment, the NSP sees the game as a great opportunity to continue our preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies next year,’ Hilditch said.
The star-studded ACA All Star team has retired legends like Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath.
‘We are honoured that four legends of the game in Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath have made themselves available and have no doubt they will shine for the All Stars,’ ACA President Darren Lehmann said.
Teams will be allowed 12 players, however, only 11 will bat and 11 are available to bowl.
The KFC sponsored Australian squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Cameron White (vice-captain), George Bailey, Brad Haddin, David Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner.
The Johnnie Walker ACA All Star Team: Shane Warne (captain), Travis Birt, Lee Carseldine, Adam Gilchrist, Daniel Harris, Matthew Hayden, Jason Krejza, Rhett Lockyear, Graham Manou, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington. |
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