Kiwi duo joins ICC World XI for one-off T20I

What's the story?

The New Zealand duo of Luke Ronchi and Mitchell McClenaghan have been confirmed to play for the ICC World XI to face West Indies in a one-off T20I charity game in May. The addition of the two Kiwis completes the line-up for the assembled World XI team.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the World XI at Lord’s for the charity match against the Windies on the 31st of May, that will be raising funds to help with the rebuilding of cricket venues which were damaged by the two hurricanes in the Caribbean last year.

“It is all for a worthy cause and it feels really good to see so many cricketers from different countries come together for such a reason. To be playing a match which will see some of the very best in action together is a matter of great pride for me. I’m looking forward to seeing a packed house at Lord’s, supporting the relief effort, and an exciting game of cricket,” Luke Ronchi was quoted as saying according to the ICC website.

In case you didn't know...

A one-off T20I has been scheduled between a World XI side and the West Indies team at Lord's on 31st May to garner funds and help the victims of two hurricanes in the Carribean last year.

The heart of the matter

With two Indians, two Bangladeshis, one Sri Lankan, an Englishman, two Pakistanis, one Afghanistani and two Kiwis, the ICC line-up looks as follows:

Tamim Iqbal, Eoin Morgan, Shoaib Malik, Dinesh Karthik, Shakib Al Hasan, Hardik Pandya, Thisara Perera, Shahid Afridi, Rashid Khan, Mitchell McClenaghan.

McClenaghan, who is currently playing for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, said: "This will be a fantastic spectacle and I'm looking forward to participating with a great bunch of guys and look forward to doing those who will benefit from this match proud”.

Author's take

With the addition of the two Kiwis, the ICC line-up is now complete. While the playing XI looks good on paper, it will be interesting to see the tussle between the international players (some of whom have even retired) and the two-time World T20 winning West Indies side.

Whoever is the winner on the field, the noble cause of garnering money to help the victims of the hurricanes goes to shows that humanity will be the real winner.