Asia to take on Rest of the World in Millennium Stadium Power Cricket

Power Cricket is back with Asia taking on the Rest of the World under the roof and lights at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on the weekend of January 25th and 26th, 2003.

Back in October, the Rest of the World side beat The Brits, skippered by England's Ashes captain Nasser Hussain, in each of two 30-over matches to scoop £50,000 in prize money and win the inaugural Power Cricket Cup. Now they will be regrouping in the Welsh capital to seek more glory in the New Year when they take on Asia, boasting some of the world's greatest one-day cricketers from India and Pakistan.

You have to go back to 1999 for the last time India and Pakistan played Test Cricket against each other. Now cricket fans can look forward to the exciting prospect of some of India's finest players like Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Mohammed Kaif teaming up with Pakistani giants Wasim Akram, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Akhtar.

"By combining the best talent from India and Pakistan we believe we will create a mighty force to represent the continent of Asia in the second of our indoor cricket spectaculars in Cardiff," said Philip Pride, of promoters DP Cricket. "Not only that, we will once again be creating a little slice of cricket history by bringing these two cricketing super-powers together."

More than 12,000 fans turned up to witness European cricket history being made when the first indoor match on the continent was played at the Millennium Stadium. And now the organisers are all set to serve up another classic indoor duel.

"The first games were a huge success with the spectators who thoroughly enjoyed all the action and excitement. Our market research showed they travelled from far and wide to come and be entertained in Cardiff," added Co-Promoter Sarah Dunster. "There was also a great reaction to the games from the viewers on Sky Sports and there is obviously a great demand for this type of cricket. The players, too, really enjoyed the experience of playing at the Millennium Stadium and taking part in this highly competitive new form of cricket."

Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming is lined-up to make a return for the Rest of the World, along with fellow New Zealander Nathan Astle. The side will also star key Brits players plus other test and one-day international heroes from England, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies including Courtney Walsh, Andy Flower, Dominic Cork and Glamorgan's own Matthew Maynard. Surrey's big-hitting world record holder Ally Brown, who top-scored for The Brits with 54 last time out is another on Fleming's short-list.

The games last month were seen by 250,000 Sky TV subscribers, a figure that can be multiplied many times to get an accurate viewing figure, and during the first night of transmission the broadcasters received more e-mails than they had during any other cricket broadcast. Power Cricket received major international coverage through Ten Sports who showed both games live throughout Asia and the Middle East.

"The reaction from viewers across the world was fantastic. There was obviously a high curiosity value to begin with, but everyone was gripped by the time the Rest of the World won the match, which went to the final ball" said Philip Pride.

"The Millennium Stadium is an excellent setting for Power Cricket and we are looking forward to growing the event over the next few months."