DeFreitas picked for 20/20 event

DeFreitas has confirmed this season will be his last

Leicestershire veteran Phil DeFreitas hopes to bow out on a high note in the International 20/20 Club Championship.

Thursday's event also features Twenty20 Cup holders Somerset, an All Star XI and national champions from South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

DeFreitas, who retires at the end of the season, is in the All Stars squad.

"I thought my chances of having one final fling at Grace Road had gone. It will be a great occasion, but also an emotional one for me," he said.

"To be offered the opportunity to feature in this exciting new tournament is fantasic news.

"I have so many wonderful memories of playing for this club and I am certainly going to miss all the banter of the dressing room because that has been like a family to me for so many years now," the 39-year-old added.

He began his career with Leicestershire 20 years ago and returned in 2000 after spells with Lancashire and Derbyshire.

DeFreitas was part of England's 1986-7 Ashes-winning side and played in the 1987 and 1992 World Cup finals.

He took 140 wickets at 33.57 for England in 44 Tests and also appeared in 103 one-day internationals.