Lord's to stage tsunami appeal match

Lord's will stage a fund-raising match for the tsunami appeal on June 14, with the MCC taking on an International XI. Twenty two of the world's leading players will take part in a similar event to the one stage in Melbourne during January.

Brian Lara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Stephen Fleming, Shane Warne and Andy Flower have already agreed to participate and Flower, who will be playing for Essex this summer, said: "We are incredibly fortunate in this country to live a pain-free, privileged and comfortable existence. There are millions of people affected by the tsunami living in terrible conditions. This one event has caused so much sadness and hardship. It is important that we make a contribution to such a vital cause. This match gives us an opportunity, in one small way, to alleviate some of that suffering."

This is the third part of the MCC's commitment to the tsunami relief effort. They have donated £25,000 to the rebuilding fund of the Galle stadium, which was destroyed by the tsunami on December 26, and will be hosting a fund-rasing event in the refurbished Long Room and Lord's next month.

The rest of the players, and the two captains, for the match will be named in the coming weeks, and tickets will be available from April 4, costing £20-£30 for adults and £10 for children.