Oldies dust off the bats for bushfire game

Sydney physiotherapists are in for a hectic evening. Mark Taylor and Michael Slater are among a long list of Australian sporting celebrities old and new to volunteer their services for a charity Twenty20 match at the SCG on February 22 to raise money for the victims of the Victorian bushfires.

Speaking at the launch of the event, Slater conceded he could not remember the last time he picked up a bat, while Taylor estimated he had played a solitary match in five years. But the former opening duo believes aching muscles are a small price to pay for the bushfire relief appeal, which has already raised millions for the injured and displaced.

"I'm not sure what kind of nick I'm in," Taylor admitted. "I haven't tried for a while." Taylor and Steve Waugh will captain sides that will be easily recognisable to Australian audiences.

Glenn McGrath, Moises Henriques, David Warner and Nathan Bracken will fine tune their Indian Premier League preparations in a match that will feature Australian rugby union internationals Lote Tuqiri and Phil Waugh, rugby league players Braith Anasta and Anthony Minichiello, surfers Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson and boxer Anthony Mundine. The match will be staged by the SCG Trust and Cricket NSW and will begin at 5pm.