Cricket legends such as Adam Gilchrist, Sourav Ganguly, Brian Lara, VVS Laxman and Wasim Akram are set to showcase their skills in the upcoming three-match T20 series in the US in November, which has been initiated by Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.
The series has been given a boost, as it has received the green signal from the International Cricket Council (ICC), though, the cricket body has laid down some conditions to Tendulkar and Warne for the tournament to go ahead.
The three-match T20 series is expected to generate huge money, especially with the who's who of cricket being involved in the competition. The ICC are also set to receive some earnings from the series, which is going to be used for the development of the sport.
"It is a one-off event in November and the ICC doesn't have a problem with that. It has spelt out a few conditions to Tendulkar and Warne and they have agreed to abide by them," The Times of India quoted a source as saying.
Cricket might not be a popular sport in the US, but with stars such as Tendulkar, Warne, Lara, Akram, Muttiah Muralitharan and Rahul Dravid in action, people in the US are expected to pour out in numbers, as it must be the first time these players will battle it out in the country obsessed with NFL, MLB and NBA.
The organisers have decided to opt for some prominent baseball grounds -- Wrigley Field in Chicago, the Yankee Stadium in New York and the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles -- as venues. These stadiums have a seating capacity of more than 50,000 each.
"These players have big market value and can bring the Americans to watch the game. It can only help the game to grow in the country," the source added.
It was imperative for Warne and Tendulkar to receive ICC's clearance for the series, as the cricket body comprises of a number of former cricketers, who might not have been able to play without the governing body's green signal.
"There are many of them associated with the ICC in different capacities. Unless the world body gave its clearance, these stars wouldn't have been able to play in the series. But that's settled and they can have the players of their choice," the source added.
