Richardson to lead out the Lashings all star line-up (From Stroud News and Journal)

Richardson to lead out the Lashings all star line-up

WEST Indies cricketing legend Richie Richardson will lead an all-star line up when crickets celebrity team, The Lashings, take on Gloucestershire at Bristol in a trial of the new, 20-over format.

The teams will play two 20-over matches which are expected to attract a huge crowd as the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) trial the new dynamic game for the first time.

Big-hitting and fast-falling wickets are assured in the all-action games that last just three hours as the two teams rush to gather runs and wickets before a packed stadium of West Country cricket lovers.

To increase the pace of the game, bowlers using white balls, will bowl a maximum of four overs apiece and all players will wear coloured kit similar to those worn in one-day internationals and county league games.

With legends such as Sir Viv Richards, Wasim Akram, Richie Richardson, Brian Lara, Waqar Younis, and Curtley Ambrose - a squad list that reads more like a Whos Who of cricket - The Lashings team is widely regarded as the Harlem Globetrotters of the game.

But having some of the most famous cricketers of the last twenty years wont be enough to guarantee victory in this fast, fresh, format game.

The younger Glos side who are currently commanding the current one-day county game at the top of Norwich Union Leagues division two, will be keen to assert themselves.

The ECBs Marketing Manager, Stuart Robertson said: "This is the first time the new 20-over game will be played by professional cricketers.

"The new format is a very exciting development and will be a spectators dream with lots of boundary-making batting and wicket-tumbling bowling.

"Because the number of overs are limited to just twenty per side, teams will be going all-out to amass high scores. At the same time bowlers will be attacking hard and looking to take wickets quickly in what will be a great, all-action spectacle."

The 20-over game will be introduced throughout the country from next season in a fortnight-long league played in mid June.

Games will be played between 5:30 and 8:15 in the evening so that spectators can watch after school and work.

As well as appealing to traditional cricket fans, the event is expected to attract a whole new audience, including young people and families who have less time to spend on entertainment activities and who are looking for maximum excitement.

Lashings club captain and former West Indies skipper Richardson, who played more than 300 games for his country, will lead the field for the trial at the Royal & Sun Alliance County Ground, Bristol on Sunday August 11th.

Among his team-mates already confirmed to play are former West Indies wicket keeper, Junior Murray and Pakistani fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar.

The first game starts at 12 noon on Sunday August 11th. Advanced tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children under 16 or £12 and £6 respectively, on the day.

Members tickets cost £6 for adults and £3 for children. For ticket availability and bookings call Gloucestershire County Cricket Club ticket office on 0117-910 8000.