Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne to lead relief match for Australian bushfires

Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting will captain opposing teams of Australian cricket greats for a charity game in aid of victims of the country's ongoing wildfires crisis, it was confirmed on Sunday. The Bushfire Cricket Bash will see the return of former players Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee and Michael Clarke along with current Australia coach Justin Langer turn out for the curtain-raiser of the Big Bash League final.

The Australian women's side will earlier take on India in a T20, with administrator Cricket Australia (CA) fundraising across all three matches. The fires claimed their 27th victim since September, more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed and the government has been criticised for downplaying the need to address climate change, which experts say helps supercharge the blazes. The game will be played on February 8, with a venue determined on January 31 when the BBL final host is selected.