Warne and Clarke lead all-star outfits

Shane Warne and his great mate Michael Clarke will go head to head as captains in a Twenty20 exhibition at the Gabba on Sunday. Warne will lead the Australian Cricketers' Association XI while Clarke, the national Twenty20 skipper, is in charge of an Australian XI in a match that kicks off the international summer.

The contest represents the new and old of the country's cricket, with Warne in a side including Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden. Three of Australia's Test squad to face West Indies in the first Test on Thursday are playing, with Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle joining Clarke's outfit. Shaun Tait, who has struggled for South Australia's FR Cup team this summer, is in the side along with the boom New South Wales young players David Warner and Steve Smith, who were part of the Champions League Twenty20 success in India.

"While the emphasis will be on entertainment, the national selection panel sees the game as a great opportunity to continue our preparation for the World Twenty20 in the West Indies next year," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. "We have introduced into the side Smith, an exciting legspinning allrounder, who we see as having the potential to really impact in Twenty20 cricket at the international level."

Nathan Reardon, the Queensland batsman, has been picked in Warne's outfit and learned of his call-up while making 147, his maiden first-class century, against the West Indians at Allan Border Field. "It's a good opportunity," he said. "I know it's an exhibition game but for us young blokes who are having our first crack at that sort of level, it means a bit to us."

Australian XI Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, George Bailey, Brad Haddin (wk), David Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner.

Australian Cricketers' Association XI Shane Warne (capt), Travis Birt, Lee Carseldine, Adam Gilchrist, Daniel Harris, Matthew Hayden, Jason Krejza, Rhett Lockyear, Graham Manou (wk), Glenn McGrath, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington.