Some of the greatest players in the history of the game came together to raise funds for those affected by the bushfires that have ravaged Australia, during a charity match in Melbourne on Sunday.
West Indies great Brian Lara, Pakistan's Wasim Akram, West Indies' Courtney Walsh, and Aussie legends Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden were some of the big names who featured in the 10-overs-a-side match at the Junction Oval.
For the record, the Ponting XI scored 104-5 and restricted Gilchrist XI to 103-6 to win by one run. Lara was in vintage form, scoring an unbeaten 30.
But it was not about runs or wickets. The main aim was to raise money and help communities devastated by the bushfires.
Cricket Australia announced that the match was a grand success, managing to raise Aus$7.7 million (Dh 18.8m).
For the players, however, there was the added bonus of playing with their contemporaries one more time.
During the innings break of the charity match, India's Sachin Tendulkar – who was coaching the Ponting XI – played one over against Australian women's cricketer Ellyse Perry. Tendulkar said he had picked up a bat for the first time in five years.
"All the players have had a ball. They are all saying why couldn't we play more," said Ponting. "Well done to everyone involved."
The bushfires have left at least 30 people dead, decimated wildlife and destroyed thousands of homes, with the situation brought under some control on recently after torrential rain swept across eastern Australia.
