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Tigers excited about cricketing challenge

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A Leicester Tigers side led by Andy Goode will be facing up to a star-studded XI which includes four England internationals in this Sunday's charity cricket match in aid of the Matt Hampson Trust.

Stuart Broad, Paul Nixon, Jeremy Snape and Darren Maddy will all be looking to get one over an enthusiastic Tigers team at Rothley Park Cricket Club on August 5, kick-off 2pm.   

The likes of Sam Vesty, Ollie Smith, Louis and Brett Deacon, Matt Cornwell, Luke Abraham, Richard Blaze and Jordan Crane are all set to make an appearance for Tigers, while there's also talk that Dan Hipkiss may make it back in time following his debut for England at Twickenham this Saturday.

Goode, a former captain of Warwickshire Schools, insists the Guinness Premiership Champions are looking forward to a different challenge, even if their tactics may need to stray a little from the straight and narrow. 

"The boys love playing cricket," says the Leicester fly-half. "It's something different to rugby. There's a lot of Leicestershire guys playing against us so hopefully it'll be a good fun day out and a good opportunity to raise as much money as possible for Matt Hampson.

"Guys like myself and Sam Vesty used to play a fair bit and there's a few aspiring cricketers who perhaps think they're a bit better than they are. We'll be running out with 20-odd fielders so we'll be cheating a little bit but we're playing against professional county cricketers so I think that's fair! It'll be a tough day but an enjoyable one and I'm sure we'll perhaps even be rugby tackling the guys when they're running between the wicket just to get them out someway or another! Rugby players don't like to lose at anything and cricket's no different."

Tigers teammate Matt Cornwell, who describes his own cricketing abilities as "limited to non-existent", is equally enthused about the event, even if his own skills may mean he's in for a tough day at the office.

"I can't wait for it," says the Tigers centre. "A lot of the guys are looking forward to it. The original match was postponed a few weeks back so we've been able to get a little more practice in. We're probably still in for a stuffing but the guys are looking forward to it and it's all for a good cause so I'm sure it's going to be a great day. "

As well as the cricket, there will be entertainment from ska-reggae band Ska-Amanga, plus barbeques, bars, a bouncy castle and a possible pre-match haka from Freddie Tuilagi. Proceeds from the game will be split between the Matt Hampson Trust and Rothley Park's junior cricket development.

Admission is just £3 for adults and £1 for children, with free parking.

For more information, keep your eye on http://www.leicestertigers.com/  http://www.matthampson.co.uk/  and http://www.rothleyparkcc.co.uk/