Eoin Morgan to lead ICC World XI against West Indies in charity match

Bengaluru, March 22: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday (March 22) announced that England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan will lead an ICC World XI in a T20I against the Windies at Lord's on May 31, 2018.

The game will raise funds for two stadia in the Caribbean that were damaged following Hurricanes Irma and Maria last year.

Defending ICC World T20 Champions, the Windies will face what is expected to be a very strong World XI side with Morgan at the helm and the England captain is relishing the prospect.

"I am delighted to captain the ICC World XI at Lord's in May against the West Indies," said Morgan.

🙌 @englandcricket white-ball skipper @Eoin16 will lead the @ICC Rest of the World XI vs @westindies in the special fundraising T20 in May!

📝➡️ https://t.co/M7xF2QKwv3

🎟 https://t.co/mAb26Ut0dL#LoveLords pic.twitter.com/y8pa7JCuFe

— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) March 22, 2018

"The cricket family always comes together to support worthwhile causes and this one-off T20I, featuring some of the best players in the world will be a great spectacle at the home of cricket.

"I am sure the sporting public will come out in force and help raise money and awareness towards restoring parts of the Caribbean hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September last year, which ripped through many communities in this beautiful part of the world," he said.

Giles Clarke, the ECB President and ICC Director, is leading the coordination of the match, supported by the ICC, ECB and MCC in partnership with Cricket West Indies.

Clarke said: "Two Category 5 hurricanes in two weeks last year devastated parts of the Caribbean and the world of cricket was keen to show support with a fundraising initiative. What better way to do that than staging a world-class game at the Home of Cricket!

"Eoin Morgan as captain is a wonderful first name on the ICC World XI team sheet and in due course we'll have more players from around the world lending their support to what I'm sure will be a highly entertaining and competitive day of cricket at Lord's in May."