Symonds to lead Aussie cricket legends to PNG

CRICKET PNG is set to bring in some of the biggest names in Australian cricket next month when it hosts seven former test and one-day stars lead by big hitting Queenslander Andrew Symonds and Michael Bevan, arguably Australia and the world’s finest one-day batsman next month.
The others in the party are spinner Greg Mathews, pace bowlers Michael Kasprowicz, Andy Bichel and batsmen Jimmy Maher and Greg Blewett.
Symonds is currently the only active professional cricketer of the group having played for Australia earlier this year in one-dayers as well as tests.
He has earned a reputation as one of the most devastating batsman in world cricket along with being perhaps Australia’s finest in fielder.
The cricket stars will feature in a televised twenty-20 match at Amini Park on Sunday Dec 6 called the Pacific MMI Motor Vehicle Insurance “Don’t drink and drive” T20 Legends Bash.
The concept aims to raise awareness on the dangers of drink driving and the toll it has taken on PNG roads in the recent past.
Not since the West Indies visited the country in 1975 has such a group of world renowned cricketers come to play in PNG and this is all aimed at lifting the profile of cricket the country.
The seven will be the guests of honour at a special UMW Legends of Cricket dinner held on Dec 4 at Palazzo restaurant in Port Moresby with tickets selling at K600 per head or K6,000 a table of 10.
Cricket PNG general manager Bill Leane said space would be limited and bookings would need to be made as early as possible.
There will be seven tables with one Australian cricket legend at each giving patrons the honour of a dinner with the special guest.
An auction will be held during the night while autographed souvenirs will be available to the audience.