Nathan McCullum of Team Cricket and Chris Gayle of Team Rugby. Photo / Getty Images
All the action from the Black Clash as Team Cricket held off Team Rugby at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Team Rugby
Kieran Read, Chris Gayle (wildcard player), Will Jordan, Colin Slade, Ofisa Tonu’u, Andy Ellis, Leon MacDonald, Jason Spice, Jason Eaton, Kaylum Boshier, Joey Wheeler, Riley McCullum.
Team Cricket
Dan Vettori, Shaun Johnson (wildcard player), Lou Vincent, Grant Elliott, Kyle Mills, Adam Parore, Anton Devcich, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Neil Broom.
Late last year Shaun Johnson was revealed as the wildcard for Team Cricket.
It comes after Johnson announced his retirement from rugby league in August.
Despite not having much cricket experience, Johnson is looking forward to playing alongside some of New Zealand’s sporting icons.
“I followed it a bit but I never really played cricket at all growing up,” Johnson said in a statement. “I did play the odd game of bat down – does that count?
“A few years ago we did a promo with the Black Caps and I had to face Tim Southee in the nets. Padding up I have never been so scared in my life. It was terrifying. But this time I’m on the cricketers’ side so surely the rugby boys won’t be slinging them down like that?”
Johnson follows in the footsteps of fellow league legend, Johnathan Thurston, who performed well in last year’s Black Clash.
New Zealand once again have too many match-winning batters to squeeze into the top order.