Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne to captain all-star teams for bushfire relief charity match

The T10 game will take place on February 8 ahead of the Big Bash final, with all proceeds going to the Australian Red Cross disaster relief and recovery fund

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Cricket will continue its support for the victims of the bushfires which have swept across Australia with an all-star charity match including teams captained by Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne.

Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Alex Blackwell and Michael Clarke have also been confirmed to appear in a game which will act as a curtain-raiser ahead of the men's Big Bash League final on February 8.

The proceeds from the double-header and Australia women's T20 clash with India in Melbourne on the same day will go towards the Australian Red Cross disaster relief and recovery fund.

“Hopefully a few (more) big names will get involved as well,” said Warne, Australia's highest ever wicket-taker.

“From all sorts, whether it be music, film, TV or sports from different codes. We’re trying to put together an eclectic group, a diverse group that people will identify with.”

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The news comes after Warne's baggy green was sold for £528,514 at auction, with the entire fee also going towards the relief effort.

As well as a number of former Australia internationals, Ponting and Warne hope to be able to call upon some of the world's biggest names, including Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar.

“We can only try,” added Ponting. “We can only reach out to them and see if they want to help out. It’s been a pretty tragic time in Australia.

"All those guys who have been out here and travelled with different countries have had great times in Australia, whether it’s playing here or getting out and about.

"It sometimes can be amazing what people will do to try and help others out in difficult times.”

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