Tendulkar to miss MCC match

Indian batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar, has withdrawn from the MCC XI side to play the International XI at Lord’s on June 14 in a fundraising match, following an elbow surgery, which is sure to keep him out of any action for at least four months.

Tendulkar, originally named in the MCC side as the captain, underwent surgery on his left elbow on Monday, to repair what has been a recurring problem over the past year. He will be replaced by Indian team mate VVS Laxman, although the leadership falls on the shoulders of the Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming.

Tendulkar, however, will be present at Lord’s on the day of the match, organized to raise funds for the victims of last December’s Tsunami disaster, to help with the fundraising.

MCC’s head, John Stephenson, said, “I am delighted that VVS Laxman has accepted our invitation to join the MCC side in place of Sachin Tendulkar. It is disappointing that Sachin is unable to take part in the match, but it is excellent news that he will still be able to join us on June 14 to lend his support to our fundraising for what continues to be a very worthy cause.”

MCC XI squad:
Stephen Fleming (captain), Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, VVS Laxman, Jacques Kallis, Andy Flower, Kumar Sangakkara, Sean Pollock, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan, Shoaib Akhtar.

International XI squad:
Virender Sehwag, Sanath Jayasuriya, Graeme Smith, Brian Lara (captain), Rahul Dravid, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Cairns, Shane Warne, Chaminda Vaas, Mohammad Sami, Makhaya Ntini.