The one-day match between Asia and the Rest of the World which was due to have taken place at The Oval on September 18 has been cancelled as a result of what Surrey CCC described as "financial uncertainties" caused by "wholly unforeseen circumstances". Although Surrey did not go into more details, it is believed that the withdrawal of a high-profile sponsor was instrumental in the decision.

Sachin Tendulkar and Alec Stewart had been set to captain the two teams in a fixture which was intended to raise money for the Oval Trust. Others who were thought to have committed themselves include Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh, Adam Gilchrist, Wasim Akram and Courtney Walsh.

Surrey's chief executive, Paul Sheldon, said that all spectators who had bought tickets would be refunded and that "the Oval Trust remain committed to holding further events that will raise money for their development appeal."

The game was originally meant to take place at the end of July but the lack of availability of players from India and Sri Lanka, who were both taking part in a one-day tournament, would have left the Asian side relying almost entirely on Pakistanis. The Rest of the World would hardly have fared better, with England, Australia, New Zealand and West Indies unable to release any of their leading players.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd