Melbourne, July 29: Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australia Cricketers’ Association (ACA) today announced that legends Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath will return to the field to launch the 2009-10 season in a blockbuster All Star Twenty20 match at the Gabba.
The trio of ex-greats will turn out for the Johnnie Walker ACA team against a full strength Australian XI in a Twenty20 match on Sunday, 22 November.
This match would be the precursor to Australia’s summer schedule where they take on the West Indies and Pakistan.
“I can’t wait to be playing back on Australian soil with Pigeon and Haydos and the rest of the crew,” Warne said.
“As the All*Stars captain I’m really looking forward to working with Australia’s new and upcoming players. It will be a great experience to take on the Aussie team and should be a very fun and exciting match for all.”
For McGrath, the chance to play with some of the most exciting players in Australia and raise awareness for charity at the same time was too good a chance to pass up.
“The All*Star match is a great start to the summer and I’m really looking forward to getting back out on Aussie soil. The match is going to support the Cricket Cares initiative so I encourage all cricket fans to get on board and come along to the match, or watch it on TV.”
Hayden, for his part, is looking forward to setting foot on his beloved Gabba once again.
“I have really enjoyed my Twenty20 post retirement, and this is a great way to play a game I love in my home town. This match is the perfect way to launch the summer and a great way for me to support the ACA,” he said.
—-Agencies