Monday, January 10, 2005
World Cricket stars play for Tsunami Relief
Cricket and Tsunami - don't go well together! One filled with lots of excitement, the other spelling gloom. However a great many of cricket's best were all under one roof at the MCC to raise a whopping 14 million Aus dollars towards the Tsunami relief fund. With Ricky Ponting's entertaining 115 of 102 balls and the World XI's massive total of 344 for 8 ( in 50 overs) contributing the lions share - the pledge was 1000 Aus dollars for every run scored and 50k Aus dollars for every six. Though the outcome of the match does not have much relevance, it must have been a treat to watch all the big's (no Sachin) in action. Lara, Chris Cairns, Dravid, Shewag, Murali, Warne, Vettori ..... the list goes on. Though the Asia XI's (232 all out) looks a pathetic loss, kudos to Ganguly and Ponting's teams for raising money for such a good cause, could not have come at a better time!! A feather in the cap for world cricket for putting up such a good show. Not to forget the Melbourne cricket fans (about 70,000 showed up) and the millions of cricket fans watching the match in over 112 countries. The auctions of the player outfits, coin used in toss and other goodies will provide an icing on the cake. As many others stunned by the Tsunami disaster, I would like to believe that this and other magnanimous gestures by many all over the world will make a huge difference in the lives of the millions affected by the natural disaster. It is also heartening to see people of different race, color and nationality come together.
