Virender Sehwag and Muttiah Muralitharan to lead MCC teams in Abu Dhabi

Virender Sehwag

Indian opener Virender Sehwag will lead the Marleyourne Cricket Club (MCC) in the four-day Champion County match against Durham starting on March 23, while Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan will lead the team in the Emirates T20 tournament that precedes it.

The MCC squad will include the likes of England’s Monty Panesar and Sri Lankan wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene alongside some of the brightest young talents from England.

The T20 tournament, being played in Abu Dhabi, will start on March 21 with teams like Lancashire, Sussex, Durham and a select Fly Emirates side set to take part besides the MCC side. The tournament, which will also see pink cricket balls being used, will be played under the MCC Spirit of Cricket banner.

The traditional four-day County Champion game will start on March 23. The game will be a day-night affair and will see pink balls being used as well.

MCC Head of Cricket John Stevenson said: “MCC is very pleased to be returning to Abu Dhabi for the Champion County match this year. It is an excellent ground for competitive first-class cricket and, played in good weather, will be ideal preparation for the players ahead of the English season.

“MCC has had very positive results from these day-night Champion County matches, and has provided the game with invaluable insight into the possibilities of playing floodlit Test cricket.

“The evidence continues to mount and, the Club believes this will soon translate into day-night Tests cricket, which will help to re-invigorate the five day international game in countries where attendances are low.”

MCC captain Virender Sehwag, who is also confirmed to play in the MCC v Rest of the World Lord’s Bicentenary Match on July 5, said: “I was delighted to be asked to play in this match, and being able to captain the MCC side makes it even more of a privilege. We’re taking a very strong squad out to Abu Dhabi so I’m sure the standard of cricket on show will be very high.

“It’s also very exciting to be playing under lights with the pink ball. It’s a big innovation for the game and I’m very keen to be involved in any initiative which aims to increase the appeal of cricket to a wider audience.”