Cricket Australia shortlist 23 players for Bushfire Relief match

Cricket Australia shortlist 23 players for Bushfire Relief match: A diverse bunch of players will take the field in the upcoming charity match.

Veteran Australia all-rounder Daniel Christian, Australia women’s seamer Holly Ferling and Australian Rules football great Nick Riewoldt have become the latest additions to the squads for the upcoming Bushfire relief match which was announced three weeks ago.

The two teams involved in a 10-over contest will be led by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting and former Australia spinner Shane Warne on February 8.

The match will be played before the final of the ongoing ninth season of the Big Bash League and will be the second match in a triple-header day which will also see India Women and Australia Women lock horns in the morning.

As far of the rules of the charity match are concerned, a five-over powerplay, no bowling restrictions, batsmen unable to get out from the first ball they face, no over limits for bowlers, frequent substitute fielders and captains allowed to sub batters in and out during an innings comprise of some fascinating norms which will add to the interest among the viewers.

Cricket Australia shortlist 23 players for Bushfire Relief match

Shane Warne (c), Ricky Ponting (c), Adam Gilchrist, Alex Blackwell, Andrew Symonds, Brad Fittler, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Brian Lara, Dan Christian,  Nick Riewoldt, Elyse Villani, Grace Harris, Holly Ferling, Justin Langer, Luke Hodge, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Phoebe Litchfield, Shane Watson, Yuvraj Singh, Wasim Akram

Coaches: Sachin Tendulkar, Courtney Walsh

Non-playing capacity: Steve Waugh, Mel Jones, Andrew Johns

The catastrophic bushfire has caused a lot of damage as far as land, life and monetary loss is concerned. The coming together of so many renowned names from several sports is likely to generate a handsome amount of fund which will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.