Lashings World XI has developed an unrivalled reputation as the world's leading provider of truly legendary, crowd drawing and entertaining cricket, since the celebrated signing of West Indian captain Richie Richardson in 1994.

Sir Viv Richards, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, Shoaib Akhtar and Brian Lara have all represented the club, which continues to attract the true legends and current superstars of the game to its colours. During the domestic season, Lashings takes its World XI to venues throughout the UK and now, through its programme of overseas tours, around the globe, delivering the ultimate corporate entertainment and sponsored cricket experience.

Lashings' key attraction continues to be their unique blend of crickets legends with current superstars of the game. A multi-cultural and multi-national squad, their illustrious names are drawn from talent from across the cricketing world. In 2006/7 new signings included England's Phil DeFreitas and Chris Lewis, 23 year old former Zimbabwean captain Tatenda Taibu, Sri Lanka's Aravinda de Silva and Russel Arnold, India's Agit Agarkar, South Africa's Nantie Hayward, West Indian Phil Simmons plus former Ashes winning England captain, Clare Connor, making her the first female international cricket star to play alongside the men in what was previous an all male line up.

Lashings' worldwide fame was confirmed in the summer of 2006, thanks to the signing of Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the world's greatest living batsman. Huge crowds travelled from all over the UK to watch India's national hero perform in five very special guest appearances for the club. Major companies now see the value of the Lashings brand, not just in terms of profile, but also in helping to achieve the objective of bringing cricket to many people in society that would otherwise not have the opportunity to see world class cricketers in action and talk to them about the game.

The list of sponsors now includes Lombard, Cockspur, Quicksilver, Williams De Broe, Half Moon, NatWest and Surridge. The Lashings players are true ambassadors of cricket, whilst also promoting good manners, politeness, decency and respect. The team has a variety of players from different ethnic backgrounds and off the pitch, Lashings attend many community events and festivals supporting poor and disadvantaged communities, ethnic minorities, disadvantaged and disabled children, business communities, small rural cricket clubs and a whole host of charities at home and abroad.

Wherever Lashings go, the players always hold free (but priceless) coaching sessions with young people, either at the ground before the game or in local schools, colleges or universities. It is Lashings' desire to become recognised sports ambassadors, supporting the work of the UK government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in a range of activities that will help deliver their objectives to promote both cricket and social values.

With the team's twenty-fifth anniversary coming up in 2009, arrangements are being made to plan a tour of Jamaica, India, Australia, South Africa and possibly America and a follow up tour in Abu Dhabi (2008-2009). Lashings are now seeking one more major sponsor who sees the potential in both cricket and in supporting the team's goals. Lashings is a potential Harlem Globetrotters of cricket and seeks a multi-million pound three year sponsorship partner to help realise the dream.

Contact: David Folb & Simon Teague

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