Dubai event is a huge part of pre-season preparations

Sussex captain Michael Yardy believes a strong showing at today's Emirates Airline Twenty20 event will give his team the perfect preparation ahead of the upcoming English season. The England all-rounder, who led the Sharks to the final here last year, is looking forward to seeing Sussex in competitive action, starting with a match with county rivals Durham at 10.30am at The Sevens Stadium. Yardy, who led his team to victory in the English Twenty 20 competition in 2009, said: "This is a huge part of our pre-season preparations. Back home now you wouldn't get these sort of facilities with the weather and everything — we're lucky to come out here and it's nice to get some competitive cricket. "This is a little bit different from outdoors in England and it's nice to be here. It's important for the bowlers particularly because conditions in England at the moment mean you do get really stiff afterwards, but the weather here will help them recover a lot quicker. Getting that opportunity is good."Friday's schedule: 10.30am-1.30pm: Dubai International Challenge Match and Emirates Airline Twenty20 Quarter Final, Fly Emirates XI v Lancashire CCC (Match 1)10.30am-1.30pm: Emirates Airline Twenty20 Semi-Final 1, Durham CCC v Sussex CCC2-5pm — Semi-Final 2, MCC v Winners of Match 12-5pm — Plate Final, Losers of Match 1 v Losers of Semi-Final 15.30-8.30pm - Final, Winners of SF1 v Winners of SF2The matches will take place at The Sevens Stadium on the Dubai-Al Ain road (E66), just beyond Exit 29/30. Seating is on grass banks so fans are encouraged to bring blankets and umbrellas.A free shuttle bus service will leave every 20 minutes from the Nakheel offices next to Winchester School in the Gardens, near Ibn Battuta Mall. The first buses will leave at 10am and they will run continually until 6pm. Return services from The Sevens will start at 11am and continue until 9pm.Tickets costing Dh25 are available on the gate, with accompanied children under 12 free. For enquiries call Promoseven Sports Marketing on 04 3210008 or log on to www.emiratest20.com.