20/20 team named ahead of Friday's charity

Tom Smith will captain an Ospreys XI against Mumbles Cricket Club in the annual charity 20/20 match on Friday evening.

Smith, a veteran of the two previous matches between the sides, will lead a team that includes the likes of Dan Biggar, Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb, while the 2011 man-of-the match Hanno Dirksen will also feature – no doubt looking to repeat his swashbuckling score of 41 last time out.

Honours are even in the series with one win apiece so it is all to play for as the two teams go head to head in aid of the Ospreys official charity partner for 2012/13, Velindre Cancer Centre’s Stepping Stones Appeal.

Velindre Cancer Centre launched the Stepping Stones Appeal, a lung cancer research programme, to both increase awareness of their work and to raise the money necessary to continue to fund and expand their research programmes.

Following the success of a number of fundraising initiatives including the Captains Climb to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Mair’s Walk and the Stepping Stones Rugby Gala Dinners, over £350,000 has been invested enabling the Wales Cancer Bank to be able to collect lung cancer samples for the first time ever. These samples will then be used by researchers around the world to improve understanding of lung cancer, which will help in the search for new treatments.

The action will once again take place at Mumbles' picturesque Marespool Ground at Plunch Lane, with the first over to be bowled at 4.00pm, weather permitting. Admission will be just £3 with free admission for U16's, and facilities for supporters on the night will include a barbecue and bar facility, with proceeds from entry and a collection on the night going to the charity.

Speaking ahead of the game, Tom Smith commented:

“The charity 20/20 match is a date that we all look out for in the schedule when we come back for pre-season. It’s a great opportunity for us to do something in the community for a great cause while having a bit of fun together and we’re looking forward to going down to Mumbles Cricket Club and hopefully repeating last year’s win.

“Hopefully we’ll see plenty of our fans there for what is always a great evening with plenty of money being raised for our official charity.”

The Ospreys team for the match has been confirmed as follows:

 

Ospreys XI

Tom Smith ©

Hanno Dirksen

Sam Davies

Sam Lewis

Dan Biggar

Scott Baldwin

Ross Jones

Justin Tipuric

Tom Habberfield

Rhys Webb

Morgan Allan

 

Mumbles Cricket Club's history extends over 100 years and today it fields three League XIs on Saturday's, a Midweek League XI, and seven Junior League sides, with the first team competing in the Swalec Premier Cricket League. In 2008, the club was awarded with the prestigious ECB Clubmark accreditation. The Marespool ground has Minor Counties status after hosting one-day cup fixtures for Wales.