Jason Gillespie to bring strong group to UAE as Yorkshire announce Emirates Airline Twenty20 squad

The White Rose county will play in the Emirates Airline Twenty20 and the four-day Champion County match against the MCC, starting on Sunday March 20.

The team travel out to the Emirates on Friday March 11 and return to Headingley on Thursday, March 24.

Yorkshire will be looking to retain the Emirates Airline Twenty20 trophy, which they won last year – defeating Lancashire Lightning at the semi-final stages and Sussex Sharks in the final. The tournament, held at Dubai’s Sevens Stadium, takes place on Friday March 18.

The Vikings take on the MCC in the second semi-final with the UAE national side hosting Lancashire in the first semi-final. Live scores and streaming will be available in due course.

Jason Gillespie’s squad will be without Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root and David Willey.

The quartet will be in India representing England in the ICC World T20. Test wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow is also missing after being rested following his winter commitments with the England Test and One-day squads.

All-rounder Matthew Waite and Academy wicketkeeper Jonathan Read will both be touring for the first time with the senior squad.

“We are excited and looking forward to returning to the Emirates for our pre-season tour,” said First Team Coach Jason Gillespie.

“Despite some of our international players away with England and Jonny (Bairstow) being rested after an intense winter with the national side, we are taking a strong squad to the UAE with a great mix of young guys coming through alongside the established senior players.

“After spending most of the winter in the indoor facilities at Headingley, the lads are ready to get some sun on their backs and play and train in some of the best facilities in the world.

“With a good spread of cricket across all formats, the tour will be ideal preparation for us going into a busy English summer.”