The next edition of the T20 Black Clash has been given an injection of superstar power, with the legendary Brian Lara recruited for this summer’s match in Mt Maunganui.

The West Indian supremo will don the pads as the wildcard for Team Rugby as they aim to square the ledger in their sixth annual clash against Team Cricket, on Saturday January 20 at Bay Oval.

Lara, nicknamed ‘The Prince of Port of Spain’, is indeed cricketing royalty, with several of his feats on the pitch having stood the test of time.

His 400 not out against England in Antigua in 2004 remains the highest individual test score of all time, while his unbeaten 501 for Warwickshire in 1994 is also still at the top of the record books as the highest score in first-class cricket.

The 54-year-old is part of an exclusive club of seven players who have notched 10,000-plus runs in both test and ODI cricket.

While the elegant left-hander has just three domestic T20 matches to his name, in 2010, three years after his international retirement, he has the chance to wow the crowds with the willow once again, after having no hesitation taking up the offer to be part of the hugely popular fixture on the Kiwi summer calendar.

“I love New Zealand and I have been a fan of the All Blacks and New Zealand’s rugby prowess for many years,” Lara says, with Team Rugby out to avenge their narrow loss in Christchurch this year.

“To be a part of this T20 Black Clash, which I heard a lot about from my mate Stephen Fleming, is a great honour. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to take the field alongside so many great All Blacks. I truly look forward to this experience.”

Event director Carlena Limmer says if there's one player in world cricket they could choose to bring in for the match it would indeed be Lara.

“Anyone who saw him bat knows why,” she says. “He is one of greatest of all time – and possibly still the greatest living cricketer on the planet.”

Limmer says both teams are taking shape and fans could expect to hear more announcements of star players shortly.

-Stuff Reporters.