Cricketers play on Kilimanjaro to set new world record Published duration 26 September 2014

image copyright AFP image caption Breathing and running is difficult at such a high altitude

A group of international cricketers has set a new world record for the highest-ever match by playing at the top of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, in Tanzania.

The teams included former South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini and ex-England spinner Ashley Giles.

The game was played at a height of 5,730m (18,799 ft) in a flat crater just below the summit.

They played 10 overs each of a Twenty20 game before clouds stopped play.

image copyright AFP image caption The air was freezing as the teams batted 10 overs each in the crater of the extinct volcano

"This is absolutely incredible! We are playing cricket on the summit of Africa!" Giles tweeted on Friday morning

The current record for the world's highest game is 5,165m, played in the Himalayas at Everest base camp in Nepal in 2009.

The "Gorillas" team, led by England women's vice-captain Heather Knight, scored 82-5 to beat Giles' "Rhinos" team, who managed 64-9, the AFP news agency reports.

image copyright AFP image caption Heather Knight's team ultimately claimed victory