Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies fast-bowling great Courtney Walsh will coach the Ponting XI and Warne XI respectively in the Bushfire Cricket Bash on Saturday February 8.
The bushfire relief cricket match is one of three headline acts on cricket’s day of giving, The Big Appeal, with Tendulkar and Walsh joining former Australian Captain, Ricky Ponting, and Australia’s most prolific wicket taker, Shane Warne, as leaders of the two sides.
Recognising the ongoing and incredible work of volunteers, career firefighters and emergency services, three matches will be played on the day, starting with the Commonwealth Bank Women’s Tri-Series T20I clash between Australia and India, followed by the Bushfire Cricket Bash and the KFC Big Bash League Final.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Roberts, said:
“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.
“Both in the ICC Hall of Fame, Sachin is the greatest run-scorer of all time in international cricket, and we all remember what Courtney could do with the ball, taking more than 500 Test wickets.
“We’re looking forward to our people at CA and the entire Australian cricket family coming together for the Big Appeal.”
