South Africa's top cricketers will be making a huge effort for the development of the game when they turn out for the Sports Trust Cricket Challenge brought to you by Standard Bank on SuperSport, takes place at the Spectacular 2002 SuperSport Show, presented by Discovery, at the Tuks Sports Centre in Pretoria on Saturday, 31 August.

The 25-overs-a-side match is part of the SuperSport Show (to be held from August 30 to September 1), with the Sports Trust expected to benefit greatly from challenges and pledges made on the day. The fund from this partnership between the UCBSA, the Sports Trust and SuperSport will go towards cricket development at schools level.

The UCB is also proud to have the sponsors of One-Day Cricket, Standard Bank, involved in this event. Standard Bank have been a great supporter of cricket and an important member of the South African cricket family.

The two competing teams are the Hotshots, captained by Neil McKenzie and the Howzats captained by Dale Benkenstein. The teams feature both international talent and rising stars.

The Hotshots:

Neil McKenzie (Captain), Jacques Rudolph, Loots Bosman, Ashwell Prince, Justin Ontong, Andrew Hall, Lance Klusener, Thami Tsolekile, Steve Elworthy, Charl Langeveldt, Mornantau Hayward.

The Howzats:

Dale Benkenstein (Captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Robin Peterson, Martin van Jaarsveld, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, Justin Kemp, Errol Stewart, Allan Dawson, Roger Telemachus, Makhaya Ntini.

United Cricket Board CEO Gerald Majola expressed his delight in allowing SA's top cricketers to participate in this exciting match. "The SuperSport Show is a popular event which is known for drawing huge crowds and we at the UCB are delighted that our top cricketers have been offered such a wonderful early-season opportunity to show their form, and impress the national selectors at the start of an exciting international season which culminates in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup," said Majola.

The match is to become an annual fixture and all proceeds will go to the Sports Trust, which in turn contributes to cricket development. Since it inception in 1994, the Sports Trust has invested over R10 million in 60 sports development projects nationwide. The UCB is proud to be associated with this highly beneficial organization.

The SuperSport Show is an important event on the cricketing calendar as it is an opportunity for South African cricket stars to meet their fans in person and thank them for their loyal support. Members of the national team who are not playing in the game will be at the Tuks Sports Centre on the day to cheer their team-mates and to meet the fans. These players are:

Mark Boucher, Boeta Dippenaar, Gary Kirsten, Nicky Boje, Paul Adams, Allan Donald, Jonty Rhodes, Graeme Smith.

Players from both teams, as well as the national team members, will be at an autograph signing session on the field at the Tuks Sports Centre after play - from 3.30pm to 5pm.

In addition to coming to watch their favourite stars in action, sports fans can assist in raising money for the Sports Trust in the following ways:

1. Phone the competition line - 083 910 5566 - and answer one easy question. Stand in line to win awesome prizes, including VIP and grandstand tickets to any International match this season (excluding the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup), as well as memorabilia signed by the South African team
2. Buy a raffle ticket at the Sports Trust Cricket Challenge at the SuperSport show. Tickets cost R10 and you can win two tickets to the final of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup at The Wanderers Stadium!!!

If you absolutely cannot be at the game, SuperSport will be bringing it to you live on M-Net and SuperSport channels.

© United Cricket Board of South Africa