Ganguly, Dravid headline cricket festival in Dubai

The Sevens will come alive with top-class cricket on Friday as a stellar cast of players descend on Dubai for the annual Emirates Airline Twenty20. Former India captains Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly head the list of star names and will feature in a select side representing MCC, the famous founding club of cricket which has sanctioned the tournament, billing it an MCC Spirit of Cricket event. “It is an honour and a pleasure to represent MCC and I am absolutely delighted to be part of such a quality line-up in the Emirates Airline Twenty20,” said Ganguly, who will team up with Pakistani international Rana Naved and Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait in an impressive outfit headed up by England batsman Mark Ramprakash. The headline attraction will undoubtedly be Dravid, the former India captain who announced his retirement from the game recently. This will be the last chance for cricket fans in Dubai to pay tribute to him and acknowledge his amazing career, which, among other achievements, saw him named ICC Test Player of the Year in 2004. The event will feature a host of other top names, including England heroes Steve Harmison, Graham Onions, Michael Yardy and Glenn Chapple, who will be part of the three leading English County teams confirmed for the tournament: Lancashire, Sussex and Durham. They will be joined by Fly Emirates XI, a team of employees from the Emirates Group who juggle cricket with busy work schedules, which stunned the opposition to take top honours in 2010. “We have a tremendous line-up of players coming to Dubai for what promises to be a festival of cricket for the whole family. There will be autograph opportunities and other fun activities on offer, while families can also relax on grassy banks as they watch their heroes in action,” said Tournament Director Matthew Jackson. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Lancashire, Durham, Sussex, and the MCC to Dubai for what promises to be an entertaining spectacle of sport,” said Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Far East & Australasia. “Although we are proud of our involvement in cricket around the world, with our ICC partnership giving us a presence at major tournaments such as the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20, it is just as satisfying to sponsor events like this which contribute to the local community and help grow the game at a grassroots level,” added Jewsbury. Last year’s finalists Sussex are keen to go one better this year. “All the squad at Sussex are very much looking forward to the pre-season trip to Dubai and in particular the Emirates Airline Twenty20,” said captain Yardy. “We are grateful for the opportunity to play on good wickets against good opposition in good weather and will be doing our best to take the win this year.” The Durham team, featuring Onions and Harmison, is equally fired up for the tournament. “The lads go in to every competition wanting to win and this competition is no different. We’re going to be up against tough opposition but we’ll be putting in every effort to bring the trophy back to the North East,” said Harmison. Meanwhile, Lancashire will be looking to continue their fine form from last season when they step out on to the pitch at The Sevens. “We take Twenty20 cricket very seriously and one of our objectives for this season is to reach finals day in our domestic competition,” said captain Chapple. “The quality of the opposition in the Emirates Airline Twenty20 is very high and it goes without saying that we’re keen to win the competition.” Fans will also be able to meet their heroes during the day, with Dravid, Ganguly, Ramprakash, Onions and Harmison all taking time out to sign autographs for fans. The autograph sessions start at 11.30am. Seating is on grass banks and fans are encouraged to bring blankets and umbrellas and enjoy a great day out. A free shuttle bus service will leave every 20 minutes from the Nakheel Offices next to Winchester School in the Gardens, near Ibn Battuta Mall. The first buses will leave at 10am and run continually until 6pm. Return services from The Sevens will commence at 11am and continue until 9pm. Tickets are just Dh25 with children under 12 gaining free admission provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are available from the Promoseven Sports Marketing offices in the Emarat Atrium Building, Sheikh Zayed Road and will also be on sale at the gate at 7he Sevens, which is located on the Dubai - Al Ain Road just beyond Exit 29/30, on the day of the tournament. For any enquiries regarding the event, call the Promoseven Sports Marketing offices on +971 4 321 0008 or log on to www.emiratest20.com.