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Lord's Taverners' teams are distinguished by their international pedigrees - and the
team heading to Dubai for its two one-day 30-over matches against the Fly Emirates XI on Friday, 3rd March and Sunday 5th is no exception, with 11 recent Test cricketers in its line-up.
Captained by legendary England skipper Mike Gatting, this Lord's Taverners XI includes former England opening bowlers Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick; Sussex captain and 2004 Wisden Cricketer of the Year Chris Adams; and Robin Smith, one of England's most feared batsmen of his day.
Also in the team are Yorkshire and England fast bowler Chris Silverwood; former Warwickshire opening bowler Tim Munton; and Zimbabwean batsman Alistair Campbell.
However, the Fly Emirates XI will be looking to make it four wins in a row when they face this formidable line-up in the opening match - for they have notched up a hat trick of victories in winning all their previous matches against The Lord's Taverners, home and away
Emirates' relationship with The Lord's Taverners began in 2004, and matches have been played in Dubai and also at Windsor Castle in the UK. In the last match, played in June 2005 at Windsor Castle in the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, The Lord's Taverners suffered their third successive defeat at the hands of Emirates and since then have made no secret of their desire to make amends with a victory.
The Lord's Taverners, founded in 1950 by a group of cricket-loving actors, counts cricket greats and show business celebrities among its members - each united in a common purpose to raise funds enabling disadvantaged youngsters, especially those with special needs, to enjoy sporting and recreational activities.
The two Dubai matches, to be held on the Emirates Number One Ground at Dubai Cricket Complex in the Al Jadaf area, will be separated by the charity dinner on Saturday 4th March at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel, when The Lord's Taverners will present four sports wheelchairs to the Rashid Therapy Centre for disabled youngsters, and four bags of cricket equipment to local schools.
The charity dinner, with Bond film actor and cricket fan Colin Salmon as MC, will feature a charity auction and entertainment from musical satirist Richard Stilgoe and comedian Tom O'Connor.
Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline & Group, said:
"We are delighted to be supporting The Lord's Taverners again. Such support not only helps them in organising these wonderful pageants of cricket and show business, but also contributes to their mission to give young people, particularly those with disadvantages, access to recreational and sporting activity."
He added: "On the sporting side, this appears to be the strongest Lord's Taverners' line up we have ever faced, which should guarantee great cricketing entertainment. We hope as many people as possible will come along to enjoy the cricket and participate in this great charitable venture."
Mark Williams, Chief Executive, The Lord's Taverners, said: "We are all very much looking forward to visiting Dubai again. Although we have yet to be on the winning side in our encounters with Emirates, we are determined not to come away empty-handed this time and have assembled a team we believe will provide a tough challenge for the Fly Emirates XI.
"However, whatever happens on the cricketing field, the young people we support through our charitable endeavours, with support from organisations such as Emirates, will be the winners."
Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
