Ticket sales for charity match brisk

Officials at the MCG have reported that ticket sales for next week's charity match between an ICC World XI and an Asian Cricket Council XI have exceeded expectations. Less than a day after going on sale, more than 20,000 seats have been sold.

"To sell almost 20,000 tickets in half a day is a fantastic result and augers well for creating a strong atmosphere....on Monday," said Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive. "It is a tremendous reflection of the strength of the international cricket community fans and organisers to come together to support the tsunami appeal."

The 50-over one-dayer will raise funds for World Vision, which has staff across the Asian region and is providing food and Family Survival Kits to the countries devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. Its staff are working around the clock to assist people in the most devastated areas of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand as they deal with the aftermath of the tsunami. For further information on World Vision or to donate directly to its relief fund visit www.wvi.org.