ST JOHN'S, Antigua, CANA:
A REST of the World XI will take on the West Indies in at least one limited-overs cricket match in honour of the retirement of legendary fast bowler Curtly Ambrose in early May.
It is joint initiative between the newly re-appointed National Sports Council (NSC) in Antigua and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
The venue will be the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG). The date for the match is yet to be confirmed and organisers are looking at the possibility of playing two games.
Chairman of the Antigua Sports Council Tim Hector, a cricket commentator and newspaper editor, said some of the world's leading players had been invited to take part.
Hector said India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, Australia's great leg-spinner Shane Warne, speed sensation Brett Lee and stylish stroke-maker Mark Waugh, and Sri Lanka's brilliant off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan have all indicated an interest in playing.
Hector said they were looking at the idea of having Muralitharan playing on the West Indies side to create a competitive rivalry between himself and Warne.
He said other top players approached are Pakistani opener Saeed Anwar, Sri Lankan captain and attacking opener Sanath Jayasuriya and batsman Marvin Attupattu.
Hector also disclosed the match referee would likely to be Sir Gary Sobers, the former West Indies captain and great all-rounder.
The Antiguan sports official said it is expected Ambrose will play for the West Indies and make his last first-class appearance on home soil.
The WICB and the Antigua Cricket Association (ACA) will make a presentation to Ambrose while some of the proceeds from the game will go towards him.
