Big break for three Lankan World Cup stars

CRICKET: Fresh from the World Cup, three Sri Lankan players - Russel Arnold, Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya - have committed their immediate futures to Lashings World XI, the Kent-based Harlem Globetrotters of cricket.

Alongside the players who have become the backbone of the club are team manager Alvin Kallicharran, captain Richie Richardson, vice-captain Chris Harris and Rashid Latif. Also new to the squad is South Africa`s Hashim Amla.

All four players will be heading for Britain this summer to join the Lashings squad for the start of their season.

"We are thrilled to be welcoming some of the world`s most exciting players to Lashings for the 2007 season. For the past 11 years, we have continued to strive to provide our audiences with some of the biggest names in world cricket, right here in the UK," said David Folb, Lashings World XI chairman.

"Our aim is to inspire and entertain cricket fans of all ages, keeping the passion for the game alive. All our players are of equal value to us but we are delighted that from the youngest players at our school fixtures to the oldest armchair fan, everyone will be able to get close to some of big names they have been watching on TV throughout the World Cup," he said.

The first fixture on Lashings World XI busy schedule is against Sedburgh School, Kendall, Cumbria May 25. This year, Lashings will be appearing at more venues across Britain than ever before, including - for the first time in the club`s history - a game in Northern Ireland.

The squad: Richie Richardson (WI), Henry Olonga (Zim), Chris Harris (NZ), Russel Arnold, Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya (all SL), Nantie Hayward, Hashim Amla (both SA), Greg Blewett (Aus), Rashid Latif (Pak), Alvin Kallicharran (WI), Phil DeFreitas (Eng).

Courtesy: zeecric