Middlesex say they are close to signing Sachin Tendulkar and Adam Gilchrist in a contract that will be partially funded by the MCC, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.
English County Middlesex is signing the cricketing greats to play 5 T20 matches at Lord's - and are believed to have got the nod from Gilchrist, while Tendulkar is waiting for permission from the Indian Cricket Board to join.
"We expect to make an announcement shortly," Keith Bradshaw, chief executive of the MCC said. "The two clubs are working closely together."
Sachin Tendulkar, who completed 20 years in international cricket on Nov 15 will return to the England county trip after playing for Yorkshire in 1992 as a 19-year-old. He was the county's first overseas player and scored more than 1,000 runs averaging 46.52.
Adam Gilchrist has never played for a county side, and this would be his first time. He is expected to continue his relationship with the Middlesex though, and could even represent the county in a 50-over match against Australia.
Though the signings are anticipated to cost a fair amount, the organizers expect to recover the money through gate receipts and lucrative television sponsorship deals, especially to India, once Tendulkar is signed on.
English County Middlesex is signing the cricketing greats to play 5 T20 matches at Lord's - and are believed to have got the nod from Gilchrist, while Tendulkar is waiting for permission from the Indian Cricket Board to join."We expect to make an announcement shortly," Keith Bradshaw, chief executive of the MCC said. "The two clubs are working closely together."
Sachin Tendulkar, who completed 20 years in international cricket on Nov 15 will return to the England county trip after playing for Yorkshire in 1992 as a 19-year-old. He was the county's first overseas player and scored more than 1,000 runs averaging 46.52.
Adam Gilchrist has never played for a county side, and this would be his first time. He is expected to continue his relationship with the Middlesex though, and could even represent the county in a 50-over match against Australia.Though the signings are anticipated to cost a fair amount, the organizers expect to recover the money through gate receipts and lucrative television sponsorship deals, especially to India, once Tendulkar is signed on.
