SOME of the best-known names in world cricket over the last generation are heading for Plymouth next season for a charity match.

The Lashings World XI will be playing the city side at Mount Wise on Wednesday, May 31 in a T20 game.

Over the past 30 years Lashings CC has grown from a glorified pub team in Kent into a star-studded side packed with Test players of the recent past and sometimes the present.

The old boys’ list includes Sachin Tendulkar, Alvin Kallicharan, Jimmy Adams, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Allan Donald and Sir Viv Richards.

The current squad list includes players of the calibre of Tino Best, John Embury, Devon Malcolm, Gordon Greenidge, Michael Carberry, Adam Hollioake, Phil DeFreitas, Ian Harvey and Monty Panesar.

Plymouth don’t know yet who will be representing Lashings in the charity match, but know whoever they are will have star quality.

It is eight years since Lashing World XI last visited Devon to play a game, so the match at Plymouth is a rare chance to see them in action.

Lashings’ last visit in 2009 was to North Devon, who beat them in a thrilling finish thanks to a half-century by Dan Bowser.

Plymouth officials are expecting a lot of interest in the game and have already started preparations.

Hospitality packages – lunch with wine and a seat overlooking the match in a professionally serviced marquee – have just gone on sale

“A table of 10 is £500 – or £600 for a table of nine with one of the Lashings’ players as a guest,” said match director David Burke.

“It is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the best-known cricketers in the world.

“You don’t have to book a complete table – individuals and smaller groups can be accommodated.”

The game is being played as a joint fund-raiser for the cricket club and the charity Brain Cancer Research.

The charity has four centres round the country working to find successful treatments for brain cancers, often regarded at the forgotten branch of oncology.

It costs more than £2,700 a day to run the Brain Tumour Research Centre at Derriford in Plymouth – or a million pounds a year in round figures.

The fund-raising manager for the Plymouth centre and the South West is former cricketer Peter Jordan – he played for Paignton and Chelston – who is delighted the charity will benefit from the game.

Jordan fund-raising events are crucial to making his work a success.

“It really is a case of the more we spend the more of a difference we can make,” said Jordan.

“Every pound raised will help fund the specialists who can work on a cure.

“Only one per cent of the money raised nationally is spent on research into brain tumours, yet the disease kills more children and adults under 40 than any other form of cancer.

“The South West has the highest diagnosis rate for brain cancers of anywhere in the country.

“I am so pleased Plymouth CC and Lashings are doing something positive to keep research work going into this terrible illness.”

A charity auction on behalf of the charity will take place in the marquee. Lots already lined up include a signed Liverpool FC shirt and tickets to watch Plymouth’s big three sports teams – Albion, Argyle and the Raiders.

For ticket and table enquiries, contact Burke on 07486 692178.