BIGON Sandbank

The traditional season-opening match between the county champions and the MCC is to undergo a facelift next year, after officials announced it will be played abroad and under lights with a pink ball.

The four-day match has always been held at the home of the MCC, Lord’s, but organisers have opted to move the game to Abu Dhabi for practical and financial reasons.

It is thought cricket’s governing body are to receive a generous fee for staging the game at the Zayed international stadium, which recently played host to a one-day international between New Zealand and Pakistan.

MCC head of cricket John Stephenson also talked up the improved chances of a result from the game, if it is played in a warmer climate rather than early April in London.

"Ultimately, this match is being played in Abu Dhabi for two reasons," Stephenson explained.

"Firstly, we felt that the proposed fixture schedule for Lord’s was far too early in the year to play meaningful cricket, with poor weather a very likely possibility.

"Secondly, we’ve been asking cricket authorities around the world to help us trial the pink ball under floodlights.

"If this match is a success, it could help to re-invigorate Test cricket. We have an opportunity to play our part for the good of the game and we’re determined to grasp it."

Geoff Cook, the head coach of Durham, who won the county championship for a second successive year in 2009, admitted playing away from Lord’s is "a disappointment" but nevertheless supported the move.

"We fully understand and support the reasons for that and are therefore honoured to have the opportunity to take part in this innovative and historic match," he said.

"As the game of cricket generally is moving forward, the possibility of playing with pink cricket balls for the first time in a four-day match, under floodlights, is an experience that the players will be really looking forward to."

The MCC team will be selected from the best county, MCC university and United Arab Emirates cricketers.

The match will take place between March 29th and April 1st 2010.