Aces chase T20 dollars

It’s a novel way to prepare for a Plunket Shield opener, but Auckland Cricket says the money and opportunity in the desert couldn’t be turned down.

The Aces are in the United Arab Emirates preparing for the inaugural sixteam Abu Dhabi Twenty20 starting tomorrow, with US$150,000 (NZ$227,000) in prizemoney on offer to the winning side and US$40,000 to the runners-up.

It means their return journey won’t land them in Wellington until Monday, 48 hours out from their Plunket Shield opener against the Firebirds at the Basin Reserve.

‘‘This invitation came a couple of weeks ago, we’ve implemented plans and training schedules working back from day one in Wellington,’’ Aces coach Mark O’Donnell said. ‘‘As a management group and as a squad, we’re focused on being competitive from the first ball of our home season.’’

They’ll hope the change of scene works, a year on from the Aces’ Basin horror show when they were skittled for 62 on day one then conceded 553-3, including a Michael Papps triple century.

With the Champions League T20 now defunct, Auckland Cricket said the UAE invitation provided a rare touring opportunity for a New Zealand domestic side.

Auckland Cricket instead sent a development team to Napier this week for preseason matches against Central Stags.

The Aces will play Afghanistan’s Boost Defenders tomorrow then South Africa’s Titans on Saturday, with the group winner meeting Yorkshire, Hobart Hurricanes or Lahore Qalanders in the final.