Tendulkar to play T20 cricket at Lord's

[Sachin Tendulkar could revisit the county scene for the first time after 1992.]
Sachin Tendulkar could revisit the county scene for the first time after 1992.
Sachin Tendulkar could revisit the county scene for the first time after 1992.
Sachin Tendulkar could revisit the county scene for the first time after 1992.[© AFP]
[Adam Gilchrist still packs a punch when he hits the ball.]
Adam Gilchrist still packs a punch when he hits the ball.
Adam Gilchrist still packs a punch when he hits the ball.
Adam Gilchrist still packs a punch when he hits the ball.
English county Middlesex say they are close to signing Sachin Tendulkar and Adam Gilchrist in a deal that will be partly funded by the MCC, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.
Middlesex is signing the cricketing greats to play five Twenty20 matches - all at Lord's - and are believed to have got the nod from Gilchrist, while Tendulkar is waiting for permission from the BCCI to join.
"We expect to make an announcement shortly," Keith Bradshaw, chief executive of the MCC said. "The two clubs [MCC and Middlesex] are working closely together."
Tendulkar, who completed 20 years in international cricket on November 15 will return to the England county circuit 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.
Gilchrist has never played for a county side, and this would be his first stint. He is expected to continue his association with the Middlesex though, and could even represent the county in a 50-over match against Australia.

Though the signings are expected 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.