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Harvey joins Ponting in charity match

North Melbourne and Hawthorn to start 2017 rivalry on the cricket field

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting is even more excited to skipper his beloved AFL side North Melbourne in a charity match against rival Hawthorn with the latest big-name player announcements confirmed.

The Twenty20 clash on January 27 in Launceston, which will be live streamed exclusively on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, will feature some of each club’s biggest names, including latest recruit Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey.

"I didn’t hesitate to say yes when Ricky rang me to see if I would play," Harvey said yesterday.

"I was so lucky to play in Ricky’s Tribute game back in 2014 and was on his team. Will be great to play under him again as our Roos take on the Hawks.

"I’m looking forward to getting some serious practice in the backyard with the family this summer and getting ready for the big game." 

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Harvey will be joined by former teammates Glenn Archer, Ben Brown and Jamie Macmillan, with Ponting believing his squad is capable of dominating a Hawks team led by Channel 10 commentator and ‘Bowlologist’ Damien Fleming. 

"I’m really excited about the group we have put together. Five premiership players from the nineties, a couple of below the radar T20 cricket superstars and a bunch of current players with the right qualities to win this game," Ponting said. 

All proceeds from the game will be distributed by the Ponting Foundation to its cancer and health-related projects, with a crowd in excess of 15,000 expected. 

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"We’ve assembled a pretty red-hot squad of players," Fleming said of the Hawthorn squad of 18 that also includes Victoria veteran allrounder John Hastings.

"There’s a great mix of bowling techniques, batting capability and fielding prowess in this squad and I think we are going to have no problems knocking over the Roos."

Injured Australia paceman Peter Siddle has been named in the Kangaroos squad and is set to play depending on his availability. 

"I’m a professional cricketer so the Renegades will obviously be my priority," Siddle said.

"But to have the chance to wear the blue and white, play with Ricky again and line up beside my real sporting heroes; will be a dream come true for me.

"The Roos and Hawks have played some real cliffhanger games over the journey and I reckon this game will be another cracker."

Tickets for the match can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.com.au or direct from Ticketmaster outlets, while hospitality packages are available from www.pontingfoundation.com.au/rickys-biggest-game-cricket.

North Melbourne squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Brent Harvey (vc), Jack Ziebell (vc), Glenn Archer, Ben Brown, Leigh Colbert, Darren Crocker, Majak Daw, Shaun Higgins, Jamie Macmillan, Mick Martyn, Jarrod Moore, Peter Siddle, Anthony Stevens

Hawthorn squad: Damien Fleming (c), Luke Hodge (vc), Jarryd Roughead (vc), Grant Birchall, Luke Breust, Cameron Bruce, Alastair Clarkson, Shane Crawford, James Frawley, Josh Gibson, Jack Gunston, Blake Hardwick, Daniel Harford, John Hastings, Brett Ratten, Isaac Smith, Brendan Whitecross, Dallas Willsmore