Struggling ex-players to receive assistance

James Packer has launched a $10 million foundation to help former cricketers with financial difficulties, as well as promising young players looking for their big break. The announcement came on the first anniversary of the death of Packer's father Kerry, the man responsible for World Series Cricket.

Packer said veteran Australia players and former first-class cricketers would be eligible for assistance from the Kerry Packer Foundation. "My father loved cricket and he actually loved the people associated with the game, particularly the players," AAP reported James Packer as saying. "I am satisfied that this, in a small way, is something in which his love for the game can linger and provide some useful support for its participants and administrators.

"The intention of the fund is provide assistance for former Australia Test and one-day international players who have fallen on hard terms and may need some help. I am not precluding long-standing first-class players in Australia who have served their states faithfully."

Packer said the foundation, which would be self-funding, would not identify the players it was helping. "It is also our intention for this fund to be used to assist promising young men and women who may be precluded from pursuing a career in cricket because of financial constraints," he said.