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Aspiring Cricketers Learn Skills from Former Greats

DUBAI - Pupils from JT’s Cricket Academy were given a master class by the Lord’s Taverners stars in Dubai to help Emirates celebrate the opening of the new cricket facilities at 7he Sevens.

The Lord’s Taverners faced Fly Emirates XI in the first game to be played at the venue which was officially opened by Kings XI Punjab stars Brett Lee and Yuvraj Singh earlier in the week.

And aspiring players from the Jairaj Thakur Academy also took part in the celebration as Mike Gatting, Michael Bevan and Chris Adams gave them some pointers on how to improve their game.

“It was terrific to meet the players,” said 11-year-old Mikhail Bhalla, from America.

It was fantastic to learn new skills from players who have performed at the very highest level. They gave us some great tips and I am looking forward to trying them out with my friends.”

Led by former England captain Mike Gatting, the charity side includes players from England and Australia, who will also be facing Fly Emirates XI at 7he Sevens, the company’s dedicated sporting venue, on March 7.

Gatting, who captained England 23 times, is joined by other familiar faces from the cricketing world, including former England stars Geraint Jones, Andrew Caddick, Chris Adams, Devon Malcolm and Australia’s Michael Bevan, while the Fly Emirates XI includes four members of the UAE team which reached the last four of the recent ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in Dubai.

Emirates has a long standing relationship with the Lord’s Taverners - their annual challenge series is now in its seventh year, with the team made up of talented employees of the Emirates Group holding an 11-4 series lead.

The new floodlit cricket facilities at 7he Sevens 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.