Stewart to captain Rest of World against Asia

London, August 6: Alec Stewart will captain a Rest of the World XI against an Asian side led by India superstar Sachin Tendulkar at the England wicket-keeper's home ground of The Oval on September 19.

At the personal invitation of former British Prime Minister and Surrey president John Major, master batsman Tendulkar has agreed to once again skipper Asia in a repeat of last year's 50-over clash.

Stewart, under increasing pressure to step down from international duties in the aftermath of another Ashes surrender to old foe Australia, will this time have England's tormentor-in-chief and Stewart's fellow gloveman Adam Gilchrist on his side.

West Indies' Jimmy Adams and Courtney Walsh together with Stewart's England collegues Graham Thorpe and Andy Caddick will also line-up against a side set to include India Test stars Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh, V V S Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath.