Cricket

SURREY WARM UP IN ABU DHABI

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27 November 2008

SURREY COUNTY Cricket Club will warm up for the new cricket season by taking part in a tournament in Abu Dhabi this spring, writes Gavriel Hollander...

The second annual Emirates Airline Pro ARCH Trophy will see the Brown Caps take on seven opponents, including Sussex, Essex, Middlesex, Lancashire and last year's winners Yorkshire.

The United Arab Emirates national team and a specially assembled Fly Emirates XI complete the line-up for the nine-day limited overs tournament in March 2009.

The format sees the teams divided into two groups of four, with the top two finishers playing off for the trophy.

The tournament, which is the brainchild of former England bowler James Kirtley, gets underway on March 17 with the final taking place on March 25. All matches will be 50-over day-night contests.

Surrey skipper Mark Butcher sees the trip as the ideal preparation for the new season.

"The Surrey squad are looking forward to getting involved in this event as it will give us the opportunity to start improving on our one day cricket," said Butcher, who hopes to feature in the tournament as he recovers from knee surgery.

"From the changes that we've been making to the squad and the new personnel we've brought in, it will also be a great chance for us to start playing together so we get familiar with each other's game," added Butcher. "This will ensure we're ready to hit the ground running come the start of the season proper." Veteran batsman Mark Ramprakash agreed with his captain, adding: "It will be great to play some high level cricket in a country that has both a warm climate and good facilities. This tour will really help us prepare well for the 2009 season."

The Shaikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Stadium will be staging the matches.

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