Storm captain Cameron Smith will get the chance to play alongside some of cricket’s biggest names in a special Bushfire Cricket Bash charity match at Melbourne's Junction Oval on Sunday.
The NRL’s all-time games record holder signed on for the T10 game today and will be in the team captained by former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
The exhibition match, which will raise funds for communities affected by Australia's recent bushfire disaster, will be played as a double-header with the Australia v England women’s CommBank Tri-Series clash.
Ricky Ponting will captain the other XI with the likes of Indian superstars Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, West Indian legends Brian Lara and Courtney Walsh, Pakistan left-arm sensation Wasim Akram, and past Australian greats Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson all set to be involved.
India legend Tendulkar will attend as coach of the Ponting XI while Australia Test captain Tim Paine will coach the Gilchrist XI.
Joining Smith as non-cricketers in the two line-ups are two AFL greats - Luke Hodge, a four-time premiership-winning player with Hawthorn, and St Kilda champion Nick Reiwoldt.
Rugby league immortal Andrew Johns will be part of the activities in a non-playing capacity.
The Bushfire Bash exhibition match will be a 10-overs-per-side contest, with a five-over Powerplay, no bowling restrictions, and batters unable to get out from the first ball they face.
Bowlers will not have over limits, fielders can sub on and off as it suits, while captains will have the ability to sub batters in and out during an innings.
Items from the Bushfire Bash match, including signed shirts and helmets, will be put up for auction to raise more funds for the bushfire relief effort.
Fans in Australia can watch the Bushfire Cricket Bash live from 3.15pm on Foxtel, Channel7, Kayo Sports, cricket.com.au and the CA Live app.
