Windies legends in Lashings squad

West Indian greats Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh are the stand-out names from the 13-man Lashings squad issued to organisers Style Promotions for the third 1066 Sporting Club Cricket Challenge at Horntye Park on Tuesday July 27.

The pair bagged 924 Test wickets between them and formed the heartbeat of the much-vaunted West Indian bowling attack throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Ambrose, at 6ft 7ins, was arguably the most lethal pace bowler of his generation and his 6-24 that skittled England out for 46 in Trinidad during the 1993-94 series will go down as one of the greatest ever displays of pace bowling. Jamaican Walsh probably bowled faster for longer than any man in history. His 519 Test victims was only recently usurped at the top of the all-time list by Sri Lanka spinning phenomenon Muttiah Muralitharan.

Terry Avann of Style Promotions said: "We've always had a good selection of established cricket stars at previous Cricket Challenges, but the inclusion of Ambrose and Walsh is truly a mouth-watering prospect for Hastings cricket-lovers."

If they turn out Ambrose and Walsh would be making their first Horntye appearance but several former favourites are expected to return again this year. Walsh and Ambrose's former Windies team-mates Stuart Williams, Sherwin Campbell and Richie Richardson should be back alongside Kiwi Chris Harris and Zimbabwean Grant Flower. Also on the list are other West Indian figureheads Alvin Kalicharan, Franklin Rose, Vasbert Drakes, stylish Zimbabwean pace bowler Henry Olonga and Pakistan big-hitter Shahid Afridi.

Tickets for the game, which is supported by the Hastings Observer, can be purchased in advance by credit card from Style Promotions on (01424) 423123; from Horntye Park on (01424) 716666; or from the Hastings Information Centre '“ either by phone on Hastings 01424 781128 or by calling at their office at the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre. Sales are progressing nicely but there will some available on the gate. Style Promotions has a limited number of special hospitality tickets still available as well as sponsorship packages, contact Dale Seymour for more information.