Champion County returns to Abu Dhabi

The English domestic season will again be launched in the Middle East next year with the Champion County, Nottinghamshire, taking on MCC in Abu Dhabi with the possibility of using the fixture for further trails of coloured cricket balls.

The match will take place from March 27 to 30 at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium which hosted the match between Durham and MCC in 2010. That match was a day/night encounter using pink balls as MCC took the opportunity to explore the possibility of floodlit first-class cricket.

No decision has yet been taken on the exact nature of the 2011 match, but it could include the use of a new white ball and players using a variance of coloured clothing. These details will be discussed at an MCC cricket committee meeting in Perth before the third Ashes Test later this month. An MCC spokesman told ESPNcricinfo that they are keen to work closely with the ECB and ICC to make the most of the fixture.

John Stephenson, the MCC head of cricket, hopes to build on last year's success. "It is an excellent ground for competitive first-class cricket and, played in good weather, will be ideal preparation for the players ahead of an English season. The fixture also provides a perfect platform for us to use as valuable research and development for the world game."

MCC believes they made positive strides with the pink ball although reviews from those who took part in the match were mixed with concerns raised about the seam. However, Michael Di Venuto and Kyle Coetzer didn't appear to have many problems as they both hit hundreds to set up Durham's 311-run victory.

MCC also confirmed that Lord's had successfully bid to host the CB40 final at the end of the 2011 season. The match will be played on September 17 and will be a traditional daytime encounter rather than the floodlit final between Somerset and Warwickshire last season. That game attracted criticism for making it difficult for fans to attend because of problems getting home and also because of the cooler evening weather in September.