An amateur cricket league, based in Wirral, has pulled off an incredible coup by signing up a global superstar of the game.
Last Man Stands, which runs the world's largest amateur T20 cricket league, has announced that AB de Villiers has agreed to become their global ambassador.
Recognised as one of the most innovative and enterprising batsmen of the modern game, the South African has been named ICC ODI Player of the Year three times during his illustrious international career, captained for his country in all three formats of the game and has become one of the most successful and popular batsmen in the Indian Premier League, where he plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Known as Mr 360 for his unique ability to play shots all around the wicket, he has redefined the art of batting and consistently entertained crowds around the world.
Last Man Stands (LMS) Co-founder Wayne Greve, from Bromborough, said: “AB de Villiers has dominated the modern game of cricket with his innovative craftsmanship, exciting all those in the LMS global community for years.
"His courage and creativity, his sportsmanship and his humility embody the Last Man Stands ethos, making him an ideal figurehead for our organisation. An admired advocate for cricket in today’s world.
"We are thrilled AB shares our passion for developing our grassroots format which we plan to extend even further globally. We both believe in contributing towards the shape of future cricket and to interconnecting global communities.
"LMS is, fundamentally, a grassroots focused concept but the stature of an ambassador like AB inspires players of all abilities, to participate and to aspire to develop their game.
"2021, with the partnership of AB, following a tough year for all sporting organisations, promises to be very exciting!”
Last Man Stands is a 2 hour, 8-a-side, T20 cricket game for all abilities. Played in cricket grounds globally, in distinctive coloured kits, it is the world’s largest and widest-reaching amateur cricket league.
Founded in 2005, with its Global Head Office here in Wirral, the league has franchise operations now throughout the world, delivering cricket leagues for over 180,000 players.
AB de Villiers said: “I am delighted to be the first global ambassador to work with Last Man Stands. I have watched their innovative format grow globally at grassroots over the years and have friends back home who enjoy playing in local LMS leagues.
"It has kept a lot of players in the game when they feared they would have to give it up due to a lack of time.
"We share the same desire to keep people playing and involved in cricket, and the tech advances these guys are making to connect other players around the world with global rankings and game TV highlights is fantastic. It’s great to be involved.”
To find out more about Last Man Stands and how you can play here in Wirral, visit www.lastmanstands.com
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