Warne and Kumble set for Sixes event

Shane Warne and Anil Kumble will take part in a lucrative new six-a-side tournament, the iSixes World Series, which will take place in Singapore, Shanghai and Dubai. All nine Test playing nations will be involved, plus one wild-card team, with US$1m for the winners.

Singapore will host the first leg from July 4-6 at Singapore Cricket Club's Padang ground with further stops expected in Shanghai, Dubai, and one other yet-to-be announced country. Among other players confirmed for the All Stars are former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, New Zealander Craig McMillan, and Sri Lanka's Romesh Kaluwitharana.

Each of the first three legs will offer US$285,000 in prize money with the series concluding at a finale for the top six teams where the winner takes home one million dollars.

"With all the games and some of the big names we will have on the All Star team packed into one weekend, it is an ideal format," said Warne. "All the guys are looking forward to visiting some great cities where we can help grow the game as well, so it is a great concept."

Organisers said they were in discussions with the ICC to have the tournament officially recognised. There is already the annual Hong Kong Sixes event which has become a regular part of the calendar and has attracted a number of star players, including Warne who appeared in last year's tournament.