Abu Dhabi date for champions Warwicks

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

County champions Warwickshire will take on the MCC in Abu Dhabi in the curtain-raiser to the new season between March 24 and 27. For the fourth consecutive year the match will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium under floodlights with a pink Kookaburra ball rather than at Lord’s, the traditional venue for the Champion County fixture.

“I’m pleased to say that we will be returning to Abu Dhabi for the 2013 Champion County fixture against Warwickshire. It is a fantastic facility and both sets of players will benefit from their time in the UAE,” said John Stephenson, the MCC head of cricket.

The MCC have pioneered day/night first-class cricket and the use of pink balls and their initiative has been supported by the International Cricket Council who have allowed Test cricket to be played under floodlights provided that both sides agree.

“After the ICC’s recent endorsement of day/night Test cricket I hope it will be the last such game before we see two countries playing a Test in the format – if it hasn’t happened before March,” Stephenson said.

Warwickshire will fly to Abu Dhabi from Barbados where they are set to return for their pre-season tour for a third successive winter.


Date: 19/11/2012 18:34:48 by Paul Bolton
In: Warwickshire | Today |