Coach John Wright
Last season Winners
Best season Winners 2013
The secret weapon
Krishmar Santokie He only came in on the last day of the auction and at US$50,000 is pocket change in the money-charged IPL, but he could really be the surprise package of Season 7. He is a pretty unassuming left-arm seam bowler, though to call him a seam bowler is a little misleading. He does so many things with that ball that he is almost a fast spinner. Joins fellow West Indian Kieron Pollard in the champions' side.
Best Indian players
Rohit Sharma The captain finally seems to be settling in on the international scene. When he gets going, few better batsmen to watch.
Harbhajan Singh The veteran off-spinner may no longer be India’s No 1, but his experience and personality will count at some stage.
Zaheer Khan Wily smart and the best Indian fast bowler of the last generation, Zaheer will be vital.
Overseas stars
Corey Anderson (NZL) Potentially could be the recruit of the tournament, so prodigious is he as a hitter.
Marchant de Lange (RSA) Another promising and very quick prospect from South Africa’s unending fast bowling production line.
Ben Dunk (AUS) A useful, free-swinging and quick-scoring left-handed wicketkeeper who has made an impression on the Australian domestic scene.
Josh Hazlewood (AUS) On the periphery of the Australian fast bowling scene, the tall, quick Hazlewood is likely to make it one day.
Michael Hussey (AUS) Expect, as ever, 100 per cent from Mr Cricket. He has improved every side he has played for and will do the same here.
Lasith Malinga (SRL) A Twenty20 king, Malinga is a newly crowned World Cup winning captain as well. Expect a positive knock-on effect.
Kieron Pollard (WIN) Returning from injury, Pollard is a cricketer made for the format. He will explode once or twice during the season.
Krishmar Santokie (WIN) An underrated but quickly rising seam bowler, Santokie could be the bargain buy of the season.
Chocolate comparison
If they were chocolate they would be ... Black Forest Gateau
Extremely rich, they have a habit of leaving their supporters feeling slightly nauseous.
sports@thenational.ae
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
