Counties head to UAE

Five counties will enjoy more competitive pre-season warm-ups than usual when they travel to the UAE to take part in the Pro ARCH Trophy, a limited-overs series which starts on March 12.

Essex, Lancashire, Somerset, Sussex and Yorkshire will play four matches each, three against other counties and one against the UAE national side, with eight matches in Abu Dhabi and four in Sharjah.

The most high-profile game will be on March 21 when Lancashire and Yorkshire meet in a Roses match far away from home.

One county spokesman told Cricinfo that the tournament offered the guarantee of meaningful cricket, adding that too often on overseas trips the standard if opponents and the quality of grounds can vary considerably.

A four-team schools event will run alongside the main competition with teams from Eastbourne College, St Bede's, Wellington College and Worth School featuring.