Gloucestershire skipper Alex Gidman to captain MCC

Gidman took over as Gloucestershire skipper at the 2009

Gloucestershire all-rounder and skipper Alex Gidman will captain the MCC against Durham in the opening match of the 2010 season.

The four-day match is traditionally played at Lord's but has been moved to Abu Dhabi as a day-night affair.

"The opportunity is a wonderful thing regardless of the match and where it is," Gidman told BBC Gloucestershire.

"I had no hesitation in accepting the offer. It's an honour and everyone is aware of the profile of the match."

The MCC side includes former England batsman Mark Ramprakash, England and Essex wicketkeeper James Foster, as well as fast bowlers Chris Tremlett and Gidman's team-mate Steve Kirby.

"I'm very excited about the team and I know there are some world-class players in there," said Gidman.

"It's a one-off game and so it's not about telling people what to do.

"I'm certainly not interested in trying to stamp down any authority.

"It's about understanding that the team are going there to beat Durham and enjoy the occasion."

MCC XI: Alex Gidman (captain, Gloucestershire), Scott Newman (Middlesex), Mark Ramprakash (Surrey), David Sales (Northamptonshire), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), James Taylor (Leicestershire), James Foster (wkt, Essex), James Middlebrook (Northamptonshire), Chris Tremlett (Surrey), Steve Kirby (Gloucestershire), Steven Finn (Middlesex)