Windies to play World XI in fund-raising T20I

Barbados [West Indies], Feb 14 (ANI): West Indies will face a Rest of the World XI in lone T20I match at Lord's later this year in their bid to raise funds for the Caribbean cricket grounds which were damaged by recent Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The reigning World Twenty20 champions will lock horns with the World XI on May 31 and the proceeds of the match will go towards the restoration of James Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla and Dominica's Windsor Park Stadium.

It should be noted that the one-off match has been granted international status, with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) president Giles Clarke and an ICC board member likely to help in coordinating the match.

"To have two category 5 hurricanes in the space of two weeks was unprecedented and everyone around the world was shocked by the destruction which was caused. The ECB and CWI have always enjoyed a fantastic relationship and we are keen to support them and the people of the Caribbean in this fundraising initiative," ESPNcricinfo quoted ECB chairman Colin Graves, as saying.

Echoing similar views, Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dave Cameron said that the Caribbean board is looking forward to help the parts hit by the Hurricanes in the most impactful way.

"Hurricanes Irma and Maria have devastated parts of the Eastern Caribbean and we have been considering how CWI can best show support for our region in the most impactful way," Cameron added.

While England will begin their international summer with a two-match Test series from May 24 at Lord's, the IPL final is slated to be held on May 27, just four days prior to the fundraising T20I.(ANI)