Worcestershire CCC have secured an attractive fixture against The North – which will form part of their preparations for the Tri-Series against The South – during the middle part of their 11-day training camp which is based in Abu Dhabi.
Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes confirmed that the County are replacing Afghanistan for the 50 over contest at the ICC Academy in Dubai on March 15.
It could mean Worcestershire coming up against one of their team-mates in Joe Clarke – currently on England Lions duty in Sri Lanka – as the 20-year-old is part of the North squad for the three game series.
Worcestershire will also take on local rivals Warwickshire in a two-day fixture in Abu Dhabi on March 18 and 19 before flying home the following day.
But there will be more emphasis than in the past during the camp on skill and technical work plus strengthening and conditioning rather than match action.
Rhodes said: "We are replacing Afghanistan in a match against the North before their Tri-Series against The South – a warm-up game.
"It will be in Dubai at the ICC Academy – a one-day 50 over game.
"It will be a good game for us. I'm pleased we can experience a different venue as well, the ICC Academy. It will be good for the boys to have somewhere different to go.
"It will be good experience for us. The North will be made up of a very strong team so it will be quite testing for us.
"But hopefully we will give a good account of ourselves in a tough environment."
Rhodes added: "We will end the camp with those three days of cricket (against the North and Warwickshire) so it will be a nice sort of blend for the team regarding the itinerary.
"There is more emphasis on skill and strengthening work at this camp compared to previous ones we've held in Abu Dhabi. It is does have a different slant."
The 17 strong squad plus coaches and support staff will fly out to Abu Dhabi (tomorrow) from Heathrow.
Wicket-keeper batsman Clarke and his North team-mates will take on the South at the Dubai Sports City Stadium, Dubai on March 17 and March 19 and then at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on March 21.
