Adam Gilchrist, Mahela Jayawardene will be key

Dubai - We have got quite a good package here for everyone to see , says Vettori

 Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori reckoned Australia's Adam Gilchrist and Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene will be vital to their team's chances in the Masters Champions League (MCL) but also added that his compatriot Shane Bond could be their dark horse.
Vettori and Gilchrist, trans-Tasmanian rivals once upon a time, will turn out for the Sagittarius Strikers, which also includes Jaywardene and Shane Bond, apart from former England batsman Jonathan Trott, Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.
Gilchrist is the captain and the squad will have their first practice session on Wednesday. "I am sure everyone will be excited to see Adam Gilchrist and Mahela Jayawardene. Mahela recently played in the Big Bash. Those two guys are going to be key for us," Vettori said on Tuesday.
"It will also be interesting to see if Shane Bond could hit the kind of pace he is renowned for. I know he has been training pretty hard back home. I think that is what everyone wants to see, some former greats and how their game stacks up now," he added.
The 36-year-old left-arm spinner, who also coached Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, also backed the MCL to do well.
"Most people are intrigued by how this is all going to play out. I think given the standard of players involved, we have got quite a good package here for everyone to see," he said.
Meanwhile, Trott, who got into commentary after calling it a day, said he has kept himself fit by continuing to turn out for Warwickshire.
"I'm very fit as you can see," Trott laughed and said.
"I am still playing for Warwickshire. We have been in pre-season training since October, playing indoors and outdoors when the English weather permits us. We are all very excited about coming here and preparing for a new T20 event, meeting our new teammates," added Trott.
Former UAE international Khurram Khan said that the MCL will help promote cricket here."This tournament stands out. Through the MCL, we have been going to different schools, we have been interacting with kids and telling them about cricket. I think they are also excited about the legends coming here and playing cricket in front of them. All this is going to help promote cricket here," said Khurram.
Meanwhile, team owner Anis Sajan said that his passion for the sport made him enter a team in the tournament.
"Cricket and Danube go hand in hand. To be honest, I have entered this tournament purely because of my passion for cricket. Whether I make money out of it, only time will decide, but I am going to continue this journey of mine with cricket only because of my love for the game," said Sajan.
james@khaleejtimes.com 

• Masters Champions League