Brian Lara to team up with Adam Gilchrist for Legends XI
West Indies legend Brian Lara becomes the final member of the Legends XI that will take on reigning KFC Big Bash League champions Perth Scorchers next month, reports cricket.com.au.
Lara, who was recently part of Sachin’s Blasters in the Cricket All-Stars will line up alongside some of Australia’s finest players in Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Justin Langer and Glenn McGrath.
Fellow international superstars Herschelle Gibbs and Andrew Flintoff will also line up for the Legends XI in the second edition of the Western Australian Festival of Cricket, which will take place at the Aquinas College in Perth on December 11.
Lara, also represented the legends in the first edition held last year, which the Perth Scorchers won by 50 runs. The southpaw though played his part as he smashed an unbeaten 51 in front of a packed crowd.
The West Indian, who still holds the record for the highest Test score (400* against England in 2004) is regarded by many as one of the greatest batsmen to have ever played the game. His record of almost 12,000 Test runs, including 34 centuries, is a testament to just how good the southpaw was.
It will be an intriguing encounter between the two sides, as the Scorchers are coached by Justin Langer and Glichrist, who is the captain of the Legends XI, is arguably the Scorchers’ No.1 fan, who seldom misses a match.
"This is an unbelievable opportunity for our players, especially our younger players, to come up against some of the most respected names in cricket," Langer said.
"The experience they will gain from playing against these players and having the opportunity to speak with them on the day can only help them with their cricket."
The reigning champions, Perth Scorchers, kick off their Big Bash League campaign against Adelaide Strikers on December 21 and this game, will prove as the perfect tune up ahead of the 2016 T20 season.
Australian Legends XI: Adam Gilchrist (captain), Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Andrew Symonds, Michael Kasprowicz, Andy Bichel, Andrew Flintoff, Herschelle Gibbs, Glenn McGrath, Brian Lara.