Crowe to play cricketer

Oscar winner Russell Crowe is to star in a new cricket epic about the fabled 1932-33 Ashes series between Australia and England.

Crowe is slated to play Aussie captain Bill Woodruff in the film The Bloody Ashes, which will be produced by Brit movie-maker Matthew Vaughn.

Former Aussie soap star-turned-pop singer Holly Valance has signed on to play legendary cricketer Don Brandman's wife Jessie in the project, according to website Moviehole.net.

Producers are said to be scouting cricket clubs to find a young actor to play Bradman.

Co-writer Peter Clifton says: "We want good actors who can play cricket properly, so we can achieve the authenticity needed for the film."

Other actors being sought for the movie include someone to play English captain Douglas Jardine and his star bowler Harold Lawford.

The fabled Ashes clash has already been turned into a hit TV mini-series - 1984's Bodyline.