Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson is relishing the prospect of a return to Yorkshire later this month.

The one-time Yorkshire batsman is back in the county to captain a Leeds United World XI against a Lashings International XI for the first ever Twenty20 clash to be staged at Elland Road, on Friday July 31.

Richie will be joined by former West Indies pace-man Courtney Walsh, former England opener Nick Knight, and ex-Yorkshire and England bowler Paul Jarvis in the Leeds United XI. Pakistan trio Rashid Latif, Mohammed Akram, and Saqlain Mushtaq will also represent Leeds United.

Richie, who currently play in the Surrey championship and works in cricket development in the area, spent two seasons with Yorkshire, and he can't wait to return.

"I had some pleasant moments in Yorkshire," said Richie. "The people are great and I'm looking forward to playing at Elland Road.

"I hope it's a beautiful evening and I'd urge everyone to come out and watch what should be an exciting evening with a number of international players. The names are all top class players.

"Usually when we get together it's exciting for us and we try to be as entertaining as possible because we realise the importance of giving people entertainment.

"I'm promising an exciting time. I'll be playing against Lashings who I usually play with so that adds a bit extra and it should be an exciting game."

It's the first time since 1986 that Elland Road has staged a cricket match, and Richie is excited about the novelty of taking the sport into a football stadium.

"The boundaries will be smaller so I'm sure there'll be plenty of entertainment and there'll be lots of huge sixes," he said. 

"Football stadiums usually create a more exciting atmosphere because the fans are closer. It should be a wonderful evening.

"I've not seen a football match at Elland Road, but when I was with Yorkshire I went to the ground to have a look at around and it's a pretty amazing stadium."

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson could also make a guest appearance against Lashings.

The ground-breaking game will be played under Twenty20 rules and tickets are now available priced at just £10 adults/£5 juniors.

The ticket hotline number is 0871 334 1992 or email tickets@leedsunited.com