GLOUCESTERSHIRE and England player, Mark Alleyne, is to become one of the pioneers of a new form of international cricket - Power Cricket.
Alleyne is to play for 'The Brits' against the Rest of the World in Europe's first international indoor cricket match, taking place under the closed roof of the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on October 4 and 5.
The stadium, already the home of the FA Cup, rugby internationals and even speedway, could become the centre of Power Cricket tipped to introduce a new family audience to the game.
Power Cricket's first ever staging features two star-studded matches, played diagonally across the stadium turf.
They will feature top Test players including Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Nasser Hussain, James Foster, Courtney Walsh, Robert Croft, Matthew Maynard, Dominic Cork, John Crawley and Andy Flower.
Vincent Kane, chairman of The Cardiff Initiative, the body responsible for marketing the Welsh capital, said the stadium's retractable roof, unique in the UK, paves the way for a new kind of cricket that is immune to the vagaries of British Weather and can be played well after the cricket season ends.
He added: "The Millennium Stadium is an ideal home for Power Cricket and we are hoping to welcoming cricket fans from all over the country to Cardiff. Power Cricket is also ideal for families with younger children due to the game's excitement and relatively short duration."
An 11-a-side game, Power Cricket is similar to American baseball in duration. Each side faces 15 overs, followed by a half-time break and a further 15 overs each. The games, scheduled to start at 5pm should finish around 10pm.
For tickets go to www.millenniumstadium.com or telephone 01483 424000.
Birmingham Premier League
P W D L A Pts
Halesowen 22 9 6 4 3 269
Himley 22 7 10 3 2 263
Moseley 22 7 9 3 3 245
Cannock 22 7 6 5 4 224
Barnt Green 22 6 8 6 2 220
Old Hill 22 6 9 6 1 219
Know & Dorr 22 5 9 6 2 219
Walsall 22 6 9 4 3 212
Wolves 22 5 9 8 0 207
Cov & NW** 22 5 7 7 3 191
Stratford* 22 3 10 7 2 175
Aston Unity 22 3 8 10 1 162
*Four points deducted.
** Six points deducted.
Second XI Premier Division
P W D L A Pts
Moseley 22 11 7 4 0 294
Harborne 22 9 9 4 0 283
Knowle & Dorr* 22 10 2 7 2 270
Old Hill* 22 8 7 5 1 260
Barnt Green 22 9 7 5 2 259
Fordhouses 22 8 3 9 2 225
Walsall 22 7 5 9 1 219
Stratford 22 6 5 10 1 203
Kidderminster 22 6 7 9 0 196
Cov & NW 22 5 7 8 2 192
Wolves 22 5 4 11 2 192
Cannock 22 5 6 8 3 179
*Records include tied match.
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