Middlesex Panthers to play IPL champions Rajasthan Royals
(6 June 2009)

The reigning Champions of the English Twenty20 Cup, Middlesex Panthers, are to play the 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL) Champions, the Rajasthan Royals (RR), in a Twenty20 match for the British Asian Trust, one of the Prince of Wales' charities. The match will take place at 4:30pm on 6th July 2009 at Lord's. The day will bring the 'glamour of Bollywood' to the home of cricket as Bollywood superstar Shilpa Shetty is a co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals.

The announcement was made at a press conference held on Monday 1st June and attended by Keith Bradshaw - Secretary & Chief Executive of MCC, Lalit Modi - Chairman and Commissioner of the IPL, Vinny Codrington - Chief Executive of Middlesex County Cricket Club, Manoj Badale - Chairman and co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals and Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty the most recent addition to the ownership group of the Rajasthan Royals

The organisers hope the combination of top players such as Shane Warne, Graeme Smith, Yusuf Pathan, Munaf Patel, Tyron Henderson and Owais Shah and a Bollywood extravaganza with Shilpa Shetty between innings, will attract not just members of London’s large Asian population but also families and schools to this historic match.

Vinny Codrington, Chief Executive of Middlesex County Cricket Club said: "Middlesex are thrilled to be involved in such a prestigious charity match. We were all disappointed not to have gone to the Champions League last November, so the chance to match the 2008 champions of England and the Indian Premier League in aid of the British Asian Trust is a huge honour, and the players are really excited by the opportunity."

Shilpa Shetty, the most recent addition to the ownership group of the Rajasthan Royals said: “I am looking forward to seeing the Rajasthan Royals play in London. After the great reception we had in South Africa, I'm sure the British crowds will come out to support the Royals. To play the game at Lord's will make it extra special, and the UK is a country dear to my heart”.

Shane Warne, Captain and Coach of the Rajasthan Royals said: "There is no better place for a cricketer to play than Lord’s, and to get to play the reigning English Champions after the cancellation of last year’s Champions League is a great opportunity for the team."

Shaun Udal, Middlesex Captain said: "Some of our players have experienced the IPL first hand, and this is a great opportunity for all of the guys who missed out on the Champions League, due to last year’s terrorist attack in Mumbai."

Event Details

There are a range of ticket incentives for spectators:

• Adult tickets are available for only £10 to those booking before the 12th June
• Families booking two adults and one under 16 ticket will get another under 16 ticket free. Combined with the early booking discount, that is only £25 for a family of four when booked before the 12th June
• For schools and cricket clubs that purchase tickets: for every eight children's tickets purchased, one adult ticket will be included free

Tickets will be on sale from Tuesday 2nd June through the Lord's ticket office on 020 7432 1000 and online at http://ticketsales.lords.org/. Tickets will also be available at Lord's Cricket Ground from 22nd June.

For corporate bookings, please contact the MCC Hospitality team on 020 7616 8598 or email hospitality@mcc.org.uk

For school or cricket club bookings, please contact the Lord's ticket office on 020 7432 1000.

The Teams

About the Middlesex Panthers

Middlesex County Cricket Club is one of the most successful and respected county sides in the English game. Based at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the historic Home of Cricket in St John’s Wood, London, the club has had continued success since its formation in 1864. Major honours throughout this time include being crowned First Class County Champions twelve times, as well as being crowned winners of the various English domestic one day domestic competitions a further ten times. The club’s most recent success came in 2008’s Twenty20 cup, which saw Middlesex go unbeaten at Lord’s throughout the whole competition, winning more games than any other side, eleven out of thirteen in all, and go on to post a record breaking total of 187 for 6 in the final, to defeat Kent on the very last ball of a thrilling match at Hampshire’s Rose Bowl.

Middlesex’s one day side are known as the Middlesex Panthers and they are captained in all forms of the game by the greatly experienced and seasoned professional ex-England international off spinner Shaun Udal. Visit www.middlesexccc.com

About the Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals are the Jaipur franchise of the Indian Premier League, one of 8 teams competing each year for the coveted IPL trophy. In 2008, the Rajasthan Royals created history by winning the very first IPL tournament, despite being predicted to come last by many critics. In addition, Shane Watson won the tournament's Most Valuable Player award, and Sohail Tanvir the Purple Cap for most wickets.

In February 2009, the owners of the Rajasthan Royals sold an 11.7% stake to Raj Kundra, a London-based entrepreneur, and his partner, Shilpa Shetty, a well-known Bollywood celebrity. For more information, visit www.rajasthanroyals.com

About the British Asian Trust

The British Asian Trust is a UK-based grant making charity established by British Asian business leaders at the suggestion of HRH The Prince of Wales in July 2007. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for British Asians to support innovative and inspirational charities within the areas of education, enterprise and health in South Asia and the UK. The British Asian Trust is a UK registered charity (1127366), and the 20th member of The Prince’s Charities. For more information, visit www.britishasiantrust.com