Aussies go in to bat for quake victims

Australian cricket will assist victims of India's worst disaster in 50 years during this Friday's Carlton Series, the Australian Cricket Board and World Vision announced today.

With 50,000 people in Gujarat State now feared dead and that number rising following the devastating earthquake, Australia has been called upon to provide extensive relief aid. The ACB and the Australian team have thrown their support behind the World Vision relief effort with tomorrow's game to be the focus of this assistance.

With the support of the Nine Network during the telecast of the game the Nine commentary team will inform Australian cricket fans of the tragedy that continues to unfold in India and encourage people to donate to the World Vision program through its telephone call centre.

"The Board and the players want to demonstrate in a practical way our support for the people of India - another cricketing loving country and our sister nation in the Commonwealth," said ACB Chairman Denis Rogers.

"We are hoping that by focussing the spotlight on the earthquake victims this week we can enlist the practical support of cricket followers across Australia."

The ACB Chairman also handed over a cheque for $10,000 dollars to kick-start the campaign.

"World Vision is seeking to raise up to $1 million dollars in Australia for its relief efforts and I would hope that with this donation and the promotion of the campaign through the second Carlton Series Final, cricket can play a key role in helping achieve this target," said Mr Rogers.

Australian players Damien Fleming and Glenn McGrath joined Mr Rogers and World Vision CEO Lynn Arnold at a media conference today to discuss this initiative.

"There is enormous need in Gujarat for emergency supplies for those who have lost their homes, their possessions and their livelihoods," Mr Arnold said.

"Then the long-term recovery phase will also require large-scale funding from the global community."

Funds will provide food, drinking water and shelter for homeless families in and around Bhuj, the hardest hit city, and to rebuild houses for the hundreds of thousands homeless.

Damien Fleming said that the Australian team was united in support of the World Vision initiative.

"When you realise the scale of the tragedy, with 50,000 people killed and 200,000 homeless, it puts the game of cricket into perspective," said Fleming.

"If Australian cricket is able to assist in some way through this initiative, then it is well worth the effort."