12/18/24
January 21, 2005
New Zealand wins, charity profits: In a follow-up effort to the magnificent ten million dollar match held earlier this month, the the first of the three match series between New Zealand and a World XI played today. New Zealand won the matchg, but the proceeds will go to Tsunami relief. The series features the return of dual-sport international Jeff Wilson to international cricket, and likely the only series when the two highest wicket takers in cricket will play together.
He played rugby union for NZ at wing and full-back. Great player he was too. He's much better known as a rugby player than a cricketer, but I dare say there aren't many people in the world who have represented their country at the highest level in two completely different sports. Good job.
posted by afx237vi at 04:36 PM on January 22, 2005
good to see some cricket on spofi. and even better to see some money raised for a good cause.
posted by owlhouse at 01:33 AM on January 23, 2005
Cricket has really done its bit for the cause and there are more matches planned for the English summer. Cricket is the major sport in a number of the affected countries so it is fitting that the sport is putting something back into the region. The stadium at Galle in Sri Lanka was pretty much washed away by the wave. Although the EPL has donated money to relief efforts, I think that actually running matches shows more effort has gone into the fund raising. There is talk about a European all-star game sometime around the end of the season but it's hard to part footballers from their beemers and their bling long enough for them to think about anyone else. By the way, we need more cricket on spofi, perhaps the powers that be could organise a cricket strand to go with the others.
posted by Pete at 03:30 AM on January 23, 2005
There is a FIFA/UEFA-sponsored benefit match set for February 15 with one side captained by Schevchenko (European nationals) and the other by Ronaldhino (Rest of World--except none from USA/CONCACAF), Pete. Note all players play for European clubs
posted by billsaysthis at 02:11 PM on January 23, 2005
I saw Jeff Wilson score three tries against Scotland in the autumn internationals in about '93 or maybe '94. He had some serious pace. Rudie van Vuuren played for Namibia in the cricket and rugby world cups in 2003. And, still my favourite bit of sports trivia, Viv Richards is the only person to have played in both the football and cricket world cups (the former for Antigua and the latter for West Indies). I wonder is this sort of "all star team vs. country" the way forward for cricket? It's like cricket's answer to rugby's barbarians.
posted by JJ at 06:08 AM on January 25, 2005
Excellent form, chaps! What's Wilson's other sport? (The linked article doesn't tell.)