The inaugural T20 Masters Champions League gets underway later today in the UAE and – for Nottinghamshire supporters wishing to take an interest – Libra Legends are the team to follow.
The Legends squad features five players with Nottinghamshire connections, including current opening batsman Michael Lumb.
Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom, Nicky Boje and Ian Butler join the 35-year-old opener, who is fresh from the Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers, on the Libra roster.
Chris Read was also due to feature but misses out through an arm injury. The Nottinghamshire Captain is expected to play a full part in the Club’s pre-season tour ahead of the new season.
Libra Legends versus Gemini Arabians will follow the tournament’s opening ceremony in Dubai today at 3.30pm UK time.
Brendan Taylor’s tournament with the Leo Lions gets underway against the Capricorn Commanders tomorrow.
About the Masters Champions League
Each of the six teams are named after signs of the Zodiac with the pool made up of players who have retired from the international arena.
A round-robin format, with each team playing five matches, will conclude with finals day on 13 February.
Teams
Capricorn Commanders: Michael Vaughan, Paul Collingwood, Geraint Jones, Rikki Clarke (England); Andrew Symonds, Ben Laughlin (Australia); Ashwell Prince, Ryan McLaren, Rory Kleinveldt (South Africa); Abdul Razzaq, Saleem Elahi (Pakistan); Chamara Silva, Upul Chandana (Sri Lanka); Jeetan Patel (New Zealand); Sunil Joshi (India); Rizwan Cheema (Canada)
Gemini Arabians: Graham Onions (England); Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka); Virender Sehwag (India); Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies); Brad Hodge (Australia); Saqlain Mushtaq, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (Pakistan); Jacques Rudolph, Richard Levi, Justin Kemp, Paul Harris (South Africa); Kyle Mills (New Zealand); Ashish Bagai (Canada); Saqib Ali (UAE)
Leo Lions: Darren Gough, Simon Jones (England); Brian Lara, Fidel Edwards (West Indies); Herschelle Gibbs, Robin Peterson, Johan Botha (South Africa); Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall, James Franklin (New Zealand), Heath Streak, Brendan Taylor, Kyle Jarvis (Zimbabwe), Ramesh Powar (India); Neil Carter (Scotland); Mohammad Tauqir (UAE)
Sagittarius Strikers: Jonathan Trott, Michael Carberry, Phil Mustard (England); Adam Gilchrist, Nathan Hauritz (Australia); Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka); Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond (New Zealand); Mushtaq Ahmed, Yasir Hameed (Pakistan); Tino Best, Krishmar Santokie (West Indies); Alviro Petersen (South Africa); Gavin Hamilton (Scotland); Khurram Khan (UAE)
Libra Legends: Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom, Michael Lumb (England); Jacques Kallis, Nicky Boje (South Africa); Ajay Ratra (India); Marcus North, Shaun Tait, Brad Hogg (Australia); Ian Butler (New Zealand); Taufeeq Umar (Pakistan); Sean Ervine (Zimbabwe); Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands)
Virgo Super Kings: Owais Shah, James Foster, Gareth Batty (England); Brett Lee, Dirk Nannes (Australia); Graeme Smith, Neil McKenzie, Jonty Rhodes (South Africa); Mohammad Yousuf, Azhar Mahmood, Hasan Raza, Humayun Farhat (Pakistan); Jacob Oram (New Zealand); Murali Kartik (India); Malinga Bandara (Sri Lanka); John Mooney (Ireland)
The 2015 season saw dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.