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Former English one-day captain Adam Hollioake says fans attending a celebrity Twenty20 match in Wollongong on Sunday can expect to see a different side to the world's best cricketers.
West Indies legends Sir Vivian Richards, Brian Lara and Carl Hooper are among a cast of marquee names participating in the University of Wollongong's Stumping Serious Diseases match, including Hollioake, who is a member of the visiting Bradman World XI team.
The former English Test and one-day batsman said fans could expect things from Richards, Lara and others not seen during their wildly popular days playing international cricket.
"For the spectators, I think it's probably a bit better than when we were playing professionally," Hollioake said.
"As a player you're literally there to entertain the crowd and so you attempt things that you wouldn't normally attempt if the whole game hinged on your decision."
An Australian team led by Adam Gilchrist is somewhat depleted from its original line-up, with Michael Bevan (knee injury) and Stuart MacGill (other commitments) now omitted from the squad.
But Hollioake still expected plenty of starch from the Gilchrist XI, particularly from the bat of their big-hitting captain.
"Once you're not playing professionally any more, the idea of running between the wickets is no longer that appealing," Hollioake joked.
"It's a lot easier to hit a four or a six. The batsmen tend to go for their shots a bit more and the bowlers aren't really looking to bore the batsmen out, they're just trying to get a wicket."
The Stumping Serious Diseases match, now in its fourth year, is designed to support UOW's health and medical research teams, funding studies into obesity, mental health, ageing and chronic conditions.
Hollioake retired from all forms of the game in 2008 and has been involved with the annual Wollongong event since its inception.
"It's a great cause and I'm only too happy to help out," Hollioake said.
"It's a good day for the players and all involved and you can see why everyone keeps coming back for it.
"As far as the cricket goes, when we walk out onto the pitch everyone gets the feeling that we're going back to work. Once we get out on the pitch it will be business as usual."
The match is being held at the University of Wollongong from 2.30pm on Sunday. VIP tickets are still available.
CELEBRITY T20 MATCH
When: Sunday
Where: University of Wollongong
Time: Main game begins at 2.30pm, curtain-raiser at 11.30am
Who: Past cricket legends including Sir Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn and Waqar Younis