Despite being two of the biggest names in international cricket, Sri Lankan pair Muttiah Muralitharan and Mahela Jayawardene are relishing the chance to rub shoulders with their All Black heroes in tomorrow's T20 Black Clash.
Two of cricket's all-time greats, both Muralitharan and Jayawardene will turn out for Sir Graham Henry's Team Rugby in the second edition of the Black Clash, roped in as international wildcards.
While some will question the rugby pedigree of the pair, Jayawardene boasting over 10,000 Test runs and Murali still the game's leading wicket taker, Sir Graham is adamant that their rugby pedigree speaks for itself.
"As kids they played rugby - that was their first love," Sir Graham told 1 NEWS.
"But it's not a professional game in Sri Lanka, cricket is, and so they went to cricket.
"They were scrum half and fly half in their junior days, as five- and six-year-olds, and showed a lot of promise.
"They were obvious selections."
As for the pair themselves, both are out to impress alongside some of their rugby playing heroes.
"We watch rugby a lot, both of us are big rugby fans," Jayawardene told 1 NEWS.
"We are like kids in a candy store when we get into that dressing room tomorrow."
"It's an honour to us to meet them," added Muralitharan.
"Mahela and myself are very big fans, rugby is something in our country, [a] very known sport, and also a very popular sport.
"All the way from [our] younger days onwards, we supported the All Blacks, every World Cup, every Test match.
"It's an honour to play with them."
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