More stars unveiled for Bushfire Cricket Bash

Indian T20 blaster Yuvraj Singh, four-time AFL premiership star Luke Hodge and teenage batting sensation Phoebe Litchfield have joined some of the biggest names in world cricket and beyond who have confirmed their availability to play in the Bushfire Cricket Bash on Saturday, February 8.

The Bushfire Cricket Bash is one of three matches to be played as a part of The Big Appeal on February 8, following the Women’s Commbank T20I between Australia and India at Junction Oval and preceding the KFC Big  Bash League Final.

The Big Appeal is cricket’s day of raising funds for communities affected by Australia’s bushfires, with newly announced squad members Singh, Hodge and Litchfield being joined by Pakistan great Wasim Akram, Australian Women’s Team internationals Elyse Villani and Grace Harris, former Australian stars and Fox Cricket commentators Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin and Andrew Symonds, Matthew Hayden and NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler.

The star-studded announcements will line up alongside a host of Australian cricket greats, including captains Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting, current men’s coach Justin Langer, Fox Cricket personalities Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee, Australia Cricketers' Association President Shane Watson and former Australian batting legends Alex Blackwell and Michael Clarke. 

In addition to a host of current and former cricket stars, rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns will join Steve Waugh and Mel Jones in a non-playing capacity. 

While the squads are taking shape, there still could be some late inclusions on and off the field for the The Big Appeal.

Earlier in the week, legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was announced as the Ponting XI coach,  with West Indies great Courtney Walsh taking the reins of the Shane Warne XI.

The venue for the Bushfire Cricket Bash and the KFC Big Bash League Final will be decided on Friday, January 31 when the Melbourne Stars take on the Adelaide Strikers or Sydney Sixers, narrowing down the possible location to the MCG, SCG and Adelaide Oval.

The idea of staging the Bushfire Cricket Bash emerged from the overwhelming response to Cricket Australia’s activities at the Sydney Test last month to show respect and support for those fighting fires and assisting in affected communities.

All match profits and funds raised on the day will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

Current playing squad for the Bushfire Cricket Bash: Shane Warne (c), Ricky Ponting (c), Adam Gilchrist, Alex Blackwell, Andrew Symonds, Brad Fittler, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Elyse Villani, Grace Harris, Justin Langer, Luke Hodge, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Phoebe Litchfield, Shane Watson, Wasim Akram, Yuvraj Singh.