CRICKET legend Sir Viv Richards today revealed he is to join a party of world-renowned stars when they play their first-ever match in Suffolk next month.

CRICKET legend Sir Viv Richards today revealed he is to join a party of world-renowned stars when they play their first-ever match in Suffolk next month.

The former West Indies star, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, will join the Lashings "master class" of cricketers who are coming to Ipswich for a 25-over match of fundraising cricket.

They will play a Suffolk side who will need to have all the armoury cricket can give them - rumours are rife that two of the fastest bowlers the world has ever seen, also ex-West Indies stars, will join Sir Viv at the crease.

Meanwhile, West Indies legends Richie Richardson and Jimmy Adams, have already confirmed their places for the match, on Friday, July 9, when thousands of pounds will be raised for charity.

The Lashings World XI are to take on a Charity Invitation XI at St Joseph's High School in Belstead Road to mark the end of the school's cricket week.

The team has been booked thanks to Direct Motorline who bid £20,000 for a game against the team at the farewell to the World Cup winning rugby squad. Proceeds from that event went to Comic Relief.

Graeme Kalbraier, managing director, said: "This is the first time cricket of this standard will have been played in Suffolk for a very long time and the Lashings squad has never been to Suffolk before.

"I hope lots of youngsters will come along as the general idea is to get kids involved. We are raising money for kids charities so we would like kids to be there."

The Suffolk team will be captained by a local cricket ace, Neil Hames, one of the directors of Direct Motorline. "Neil is awaiting news of the strike bowlers his team will have to face. I dare say he won't be opening the batting,"said Graeme.

Several companies are sponsoring the event, which is supported by The Evening Star, and funds will be raised in collections and on the gate.

Proceeds will be distributed among three charities, Suffolk based Disability Care Enterprise, the Ipswich arm of the Cystic Fibrosis Society and insurance charity BROMUCC (Brokers and Underwriters Cricket Club).

Children can attend the event for free with a charge of £5 per adult on the gate.

Tickets can also be purchased in advance by calling 0871 226 0123.

He burst into Test match cricket on the West Indies tour of India in 1974-75 and made an undefeated 192 at Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi on his second appearance for his nation.

His international career lasted from 1974 to 1991, and during the middle years of that career he led a West Indian team that dominated world cricket.

His one-day international career record - 6721 runs (ave.47.00), including 11 centuries and 118 wickets (ave.35.86) is one of the best in the 31-year history of instant game.

His bat has been placed in the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.

He is often spotted in Spinnakers Beach Bar and Restaurant in Dickenson Bay, the home of the Vivian Richards Cricketeer Club.