McGrath relishing UAE title defence

7:53pm Thursday 4th December 2008

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Yorkshire will face Surrey, Middlesex and the United Arab Emirates in three of their four pre-season tour matches in Abu Dhabi next March.

The Tykes will return to the Middle East to defend their Emirates Airline Pro ARCH Trophy title, won last year at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

The second edition of the competition will take place between March 17-25, and there will be two groups of four teams.

Sides will play four matches, the fourth pitting teams from each group who finish in the same position against one another. The top two of both groups will therefore compete in the final.

Essex, Lancashire, Sussex and a Fly Emirates team, expected to be a similar standard to the UAE national side, will make up the other group.

“I thoroughly enjoyed York-shire’s pre-season success in the UAE last season,” said White Rose captain Anthony McGrath at the Oval launch yesterday.

“The organisation, weather and facilities were top class, and the Pro ARCH Trophy provides us with the opportunity to play competitive cricket outdoors at a time of year when that is not possible at home.

“It is a big season for me as the new captain of Yorkshire, and I’m looking forward to a tremendous start to the summer with another successful visit to the UAE.”

The Tykes face Surrey on March 18, meet reigning Twenty20 Cup champions Middlesex at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium two days later and conclude their group campaign against the host nation on March 22. Play-offs take place at Abu Dhabi and Sharjah on March 24 and 25.

“It’s not of major importance who we play,” said director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon.

“Everybody in our squad will get a game. We have to put the competition into context, it is after all a pre-season tournament.

“But it is something a little bit different because you are up against proven opposition.

“It is far more worthwhile than going somewhere on your own to play against local opposition.”

The one surprise about the make-up of the fixtures is that Yorkshire will not face Roses rivals Lancashire. Last year’s fixture between the two, which the Tykes won, was the landmark match of the competition.

Moxon is trying to arrange a three-day game in the Middle East on the back of the competition.