Durham head coach Geoff Cook believes the trip to face the Marylebone Cricket Club XI in Abu Dhabi can have further benefits to his side.

Cook hopes the jaunt will boost his players as the traditional curtain raiser to the season travels away from Lord's for the first time in history.

"We have an opportunity to get the players on the pitch for four days," Cook told BBC Look North.

"Hopefully we'll come back all the more ready for the season."

Cook added: "We've got lots of aims going out there and it would be delightful to win the game.

"If the batsmen can work on their concentration levels, and the physical aspect for the bowlers, then it will be time well spent."

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