Australia’s Mix of Youth and Experience Will be Key Against Pakistan
Australia Captain Michael Clarke says ‘Facilities are Amazing’
A mix of youth and experience in the Australia cricket squad will be the key to its success in the Chapal Cup Series against Pakistan, according to Captain Michael Clarke.
Clarke will lead Australia out at Dubai Sports City’s new 25,000 capacity cricket stadium on Wednesday for the start of the five match one-day international Series, which is followed by a one-off Twenty20 game. The one-dayers will all begin at 3 pm UAE time.
Australia arrived over the last 24 hours with the majority of the side flying in after a well fought series in South Africa where they went down 3-2 but showed their mettle in the last match.
“We are really looking forward to participating in this Chapal Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is the first time we have played here and from what we have seen so far, the facilities are absolutely amazing,” said Clarke, who is standing in as captain after the selectors decided to rest Ricky Ponting.
“Pakistan has a very strong squad and at their best they are a difficult team to beat. We will never underestimate this side, it has been a long time since we played against them and I know we look forward to some very competitive cricket,” he added.
The Australia selectors decided to rest Ponting, Mitchell Johnson and Mike Hussey from the Chapal Cup, which offers a fresh shot at it to Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, and Doug Bollinger.
Clarke said: “Our squad is in a fortunate position of having some fresh faces around the group for these matches. It is a nice mix of youth and experience that return, and we are hoping they will play a large role in our team playing some quality cricket.
“After a good win against South Africa in the final match of the one-day series, we are confident of carrying on with this momentum and are hopeful a strong local crowd will be in attendance throughout the series, supporting both sides.”
The first game in the Series takes place on Wednesday, 22 April 2009 as the opening game of the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, with the second match also there on Friday, 24 April.
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi will then host the teams for the last three one-day internationals, Monday, 27 April, Friday, 1 May and, Sunday, 3 May.
The Chapal Cup Series is then completed with a spectacular one-off Twenty20 match at Dubai Sports City’s Cricket Stadium on Thursday, 7 May.
“The stadiums are incredible and a credit to all of the work that has been done here in recent times, and we look forward to providing the locals with some exciting, competitive cricket.
“I speak on behalf of the whole team when we say we are genuinely excited to be playing here in a new venue against quality opponents,” Clarke enthused.
Tickets are still available through the Sind Punjab restaurant in Dubai, Pak Ghazi restaurant in Dubai and Sharjah, Uttam Restaurant in Sharjah, A.J. Sports in Dubai and Sharjah, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City and all UAE branches of Karachi Darbar.
Cricket mad fans can also get tickets from the following outlets in Abu Dhabi: all Ibrahimi restaurants, Murree Sweets, Pak Nemat Kada, Pak Land Food Stuff, United Bank, Al Mansoor Video, Ahmed Al Arab restaurant and Malex Exchange.
