Former Australia league star Johnathan Thurston is the latest high-profile signing for the T20 Black Clash match between Team Rugby and Team Cricket at Tauranga’s Bay Oval on January 20.
The Queenslander, a handy schoolboy cricketer, will represent Team Cricket. Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara is a recent Team Rugby recruit.
Thurston scored 2222 points over 323 NRL appearances for the Bulldogs and Cowboys, including 923 goals.
“I’ve always been a massive cricket fan so the chance to get out there and have a crack alongside some incredible sporting legends is amazing,” Thurston said.
“Mark Waugh was my favourite Aussie cricketer so I’ll be modelling my game on him.
“I’m also a massive Brian Lara fan. I can’t wait to see what he can do up close and in person. Well, not too close - hopefully the captain puts me on the boundary when he’s batting.”
Thurston was the only player to play in all 24 games of Queensland's eight-year State of Origin winning streak from 2006-2013, having played 36 consecutive Origin matches from his debut in 2005.
He broke the record for most points in State of Origin history during the 2015 series – the same year he co-captained the North Queensland Cowboys to their inaugural NRL Premiership.
“JT is a proven winner so we’re stoked to have him on board for Team Cricket,” captain Daniel Vettori said.
“You just know he’ll pull out something special on the day. Legends like that always do.
“He actually scored more points in his rugby league career than I scored runs in almost 300 One Day Internationals,” said Vettori. “That’s pretty freakish when you think about it. Hopefully that translates into some big numbers at the Black Clash.”
Event director Carlena Limmer said more than 70 per cent of tickets for the match had already been sold.
Tickets are available at blackclash.co.nz and the match will be broadcast live on TV1.
Confirmed Black Clash teams
Team Cricket: Dan Vettori ©, Johnathan Thurston (wildcard), Nathan McCullum, Riley McCullum, Grant Elliott.
Team Rugby: Kieran Read ©, Scott Robertson (manager), Brian Lara (wildcard), Richie McCaw, Ruben Love, Kaylum Boshier.
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