Fly Emirates XI outshine Lord’s Taverners stars
DUBAI, U.A.E., 7th March, 2010: Fly Emirates XI put the stars from the Lord’s Taverners in the shade again yesterday, beating the UK charity side by 39 runs to give them a 2-0 series victory.
Fly Emirates XI – who on Friday marked the first match to be played at 7he Sevens with a five-wicket triumph – now lead 13-4 in the series which has been running for seven years.
The Lord's Taverners and Fly Emirates XI faced off in the first game to be played at the venue which was officially opened by Kings XI Punjab stars Brett Lee and Yuvraj Singh last week.
Led by ex-England captain Mike Gatting, the charity side also included former England stars Geraint Jones, Andrew Caddick, Chris Adams, Devon Malcolm and Australia’s Michael Bevan, while the Fly Emirates XI included several members of the UAE team.
Once complete, the new floodlit cricket facilities at 7he Sevens will include six pitches - four with all-weather surfaces - as well as three practice nets and a pavilion.
Later in the month, the complex will host the inaugural Emirates Airline Twenty20 which will see the Fly Emirates XI, including guest player Shahid Afridi, play alongside the Cape Cobras, from South Africa, and English County sides Sussex and Surrey.
Emirates has a long-term commitment to the development of cricket around the world, with partnerships and associations with the International Cricket Council, the Cricket World Cup and the Kings XI Punjab IPL side.