Sachin to lead Asian XI for charity match

Sachin to lead Asian XI for charity match
HS Rao

London, May 13: India's batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar will lead an Asian XI in a One-day tie against Rest of the World at the Oval ground on July 29 for raising six million pounds for improvements at the Oval ground -- a dream project of former premier John Major.

Former England skipper Alec Stewart will lead the Rest ofthe World in the match to be played at Oval -- venue of the first-ever Test match played in 1879.

Indian coach Kapil Dev has promised to manage the Asian team which is expected to include Mohammed Azharuddin, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Ajay Jadeja, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar and Shoaib Akhtar.

Stewart hopes to have support from the Waugh brothers, Aussie skipper Steve and Mark, Shane Warne, England captain Nasser Hussain, Nathan Astle and a few other Australian players.

``One of my keenest wishes for the future is to give something back to the game which has given me so much,'' Major said launching an appeal for the fund at the Oval on Friday.

The amount to be raised was part of a massive 18 million pound project to give the ground ``the finest facilities anywhere in the world,'' the former premier said. He said the plan now is for new terracing and associated facilities to replace the present outdated construction.

``It is expected to deliver a further 5000 seats and together with the grandstand that will raise our capacity to 25,000,'' he said.

Worldwide telecast rights for the game have been bought by IMG/TWI and alongwith ticket sales at between 15 and 25 pounds per head, is expected to bring in 750,000 pounds of the six million pounds Surrey officials must raise over the next few seasons on top of the 12 million pound they hope to gain from commercial interests.

``There are a number of things I want to do when I leave active politics, including more writing, speaking and charitable work,'' the former Conservative Prime Minister said. ``I shall continue to lobby on behalf of more public money for sport,'' he said.