Sachin Tendulkar, Courtney Walsh lend support to cricket’s legends match in aid of bushfire victims

The sides contesting next month’s match to raise funds for bushfire relief will be coached by two legends of the game, with Sachin Tendulkar and Courtney Walsh leading the Ponting XI and Warne XI respectively.

The Ricky Ponting XI will have Sachin Tendulkar in its corner for the February 8 match.

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World cricketing royalty have signed on to coach the teams in next month’s Bushfire Cricket Bash, with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies great Courtney Walsh leading the Ponting XI and Warne XI respectively.

Australia coach Justin Langer and fellow former national team stars Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Alex Blackwell and Michael Clarke are already confirmed starters for the game on February 8.

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Steve Waugh and former Australian women’s ace Mel Jones will also have non-playing roles in the game.

The Ricky Ponting XI will have Sachin Tendulkar in its corner for the February 8 match.

The Bushfire Cricket Bash is one of three matches taking place on a day when the cricket community will come together to raise money to provide assistance to those suffering the effects of Australia’s devastating fires, as well as the emergency services and volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to combat the ongoing disaster.

Proceeds from next month’s match, as well as the Big Bash final and women’s Twenty20 between Australia and India taking place on the same day, will go to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

West Indies legend Courtney Walsh will take charge of Shane Warne’s side in the bushfire match.

“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,” said Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts.

“We’re looking forward to our people at CA and the entire Australian cricket family coming together for the Big Appeal.”

Cricket Australia has also announced a Community Bushfire Recovery Fund designed to offer assistance to local clubs affected by the fires to rebuild facilities, with an initial $2 million put in by the game’s governing body.

The Gillette One-Day International Series against New Zealand in March, too, will be dedicated to volunteers and emergency services workers as well as others whose lives have been directly impacted by the fires.

Originally published as Sachin Tendulkar, Courtney Walsh lend support to cricket’s legends match in aid of bushfire victims