DUBAI – ICC announced World XI line-up for the fund-raising Twenty20International against the West Indies at The Lords on May 31 on Monday.
The New Zealand pair of Luke Ronchi and Mitchell McClenaghan were thelatest players added to the ICC’s world XI, but it was interesting to notethe absence of players from Australia and South Africa for the charitymatch.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Ronchi and fast bowler McClenaghan join a host ofstars who have already confirmed their participation in the Lord’s match,which is being organised to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean whichwere damaged due to hurricanes last year.
The team, to be led by England’s limited overs *captain Eoin Morganlink>*,includes *Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthiklink>*(bothIndia), Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik (both Pakistan), Shakib Al Hasan andTamim Iqbal (both Bangladesh), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka) and Rashid Khan(Afghanistan).
“I’m looking forward to being a part of the World XI at Lord’s for thecharity match against the Windies on the 31st of May, that will be raisingfunds to help with the rebuilding of cricket venues which were damaged bythe two hurricanes in the Caribbean last year,” Ronchi was quoted as sayingby the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“It is all for a worthy cause and it feels really good to see so manycricketers from different countries come together for such a reason. To beplaying a match which will see some of the very best in action together isa matter of great pride for me. I’m looking forward to seeing a packedhouse at Lord’s, supporting the relief effort, and an exciting game ofcricket.”
McClenaghan added: “It will be an absolute pleasure to contribute towards afantastic cause and to help restore damaged stadiums after the devastationcaused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This will be a fantastic spectacle andI’m looking forward to participating with a great bunch of guys and lookforward to doing those who will benefit from this match proud.”
Ronchi, who turned out for Australia before returning to play for hiscountry of birth New Zealand, has scored 1397 runs in 85 ODIs with 105catches and 12 stumpings, while he has 359 runs in 32 T20Is with 24 catchesand five stumpings.
He scored the most runs in this year’s Pakistan Super League, aggregating435 runs for Islamabad United. Left-arm bowler McClenaghan has 82 wicketsin 48 ODIs and 30 in 28 T20Is.
The Windies, the reigning ICC World Twenty20 champions, are being led byCarlos Brathwaite. Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree and AndreRussell are among the other leading players in the squad.