Bollywood Royals come to Lord’s

The world's richest cricket competition is to come to London with a match at Lord's to raise money for charity.

The Indian Premier League expects an instant sell-out when the Rajasthan Royals — owned by Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and led by Australian Shane Warne — take on England's Twenty20 Cup winners, Middlesex Panthers. The match on 6 July will raise money for the British Asian Trust.

Vinny Codrington, chief executive of Middlesex County Cricket Club, said: "Middlesex are thrilled to be involved in such a prestigious match."

Singer Alesha Dixon will help open the Twenty20 World Cup at Lord's tonight.

Players from 12 countries are competing in the event. England take on the Netherlands in the first game tonight.