Ponting charity game to feature AFL greats

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will return to his home state to play in a charity cricket game between two Australian Football League (AFL) teams in January.

Ponting will skipper the North Melbourne AFL side during the January 27 Twenty20 clash at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston, while his Network TEN KFC Big Bash co-commentator Damien Fleming will captain the Hawthorn team.

The match will be live streamed exclusively on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app.

A host of AFL stars will also feature in the contest, including Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge, experienced coach Alastair Clarkson and four-time premiership star Jarryd Roughead.

"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."

All proceeds from the game will be distributed by the Ponting Foundation to its cancer and health related projects, a cause particularly close to Roughead following his recent battle with a melanoma issue.

Ponting Foundation Honorary Chief Executive James Henderson expects the entire state of Tasmania to get behind the Twenty20 match, with a crowd in excess of 15,000 expected.

"We are thrilled by ticket sales to date and the announcement of the Hawthorn squad, full of their superstars and best cricketers, is certain to spike the interest in the lead up to Christmas," Henderson said.

"We are now looking forward to the announcement of the Ricky Ponting captained North Melbourne squad next week.”

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.

Hawthorn squad:

Damien Fleming (Captain), Luke Hodge (Vice Captain), Jarryd Roughead (Vice Captain), 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

International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.