BBC SPORT | Cricket | Ashes five to play indoors

Nasser Hussain and four Ashes team-mates will interrupt a much-needed break from international cricket to play in two star-studded indoor matches.

The England captain will lead a Great Britain side against a Rest of the World XI in a two-match series at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium.

Also featured in the Brit team are Rob Key, John Crawley, James Foster and Simon Jones.

England only returned from the ICC Champions Trophy a week ago and leave for Australia on 17 October - the start of a gruelling six-month schedule that takes in the Ashes and the World Cup.

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Newspaper reports claim the England and Wales Cricket Board moved to prevent the quintet from playing, but they had already signed contracts.

Courtney Walsh
Walsh is in the star-studded Rest of the World side

England coach Duncan Fletcher reportedly feared one of the players might be injured.

But Jones, the fast bowler who missed the end of Glamorgan's season with a rib injury, stressed he has no fitness concerns.

"I've been working hard in the gym, having treatment nearly every day and I've had a couple of bowls. It's coming along nicely," he said.

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The Pertemps Power Cricket Cup is the first of its kind - a shorter version of the one-day game and designed to be played indoors.

An artificial wicket will be laid in the centre of the stadium and organisers are hoping the event will be a sell-out.

It will feature two 30-over matches split into two innings of 15 overs.

I'm convinced this new form of the game will prove to be dynamic

Nasser Hussain

The winners of each match will earn a �25,000 jackpot.

"I am looking forward to captaining the Brits against the rest of the world side," Hussain said at the series launch in July.

"I believe international indoor cricket at the Millennium Stadium will be a great success.

"I'm convinced this new form of the game will prove to be dynamic and will attract great interest and support throughout the country and beyond."

Fast bowler Walsh said: "I have fond memories of playing in England - but not the time spent in pavilions waiting for the rain to stop.

"I'm looking forward to playing in matches where rain doesn't stop play."

Glamorgan batsman Matthew Maynard, who will be in the British team, said: "The idea of cricket in the Millennium Stadium is fantastic.

"With the roof closed and the lights on the match will appeal to cricket fans everywhere."


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