DUBAI // Rod Marsh saw everything worth seeing on his travels around the world as an all-conquering Australian but the wily old wicket-keeper confesses to being blown away by the brilliance of the new stadium he is about to start working in at Dubai Sports City (DSC).
Marsh, 61, is director of cricket at the enormous new complex, and is convinced his job is going to be made easier by what he expects to be an upsurge of interest in the game in the UAE following the official opening of of the new arena on Wednesday.
"For the first time in several years I got goose bumps," said Marsh about experiencing the "wall of fire" that the ultra-modern floodlights create at the ground.
"I have not been a great watcher of cricket since I retired but I can't wait to watch the first competitive match in Dubai."
That will be when the Australians, who have followed Marsh to the Middle East, take on 'hosts' Pakistan in the first of a series of five one-day internationals next week.
"It is ironic that I am here in my coaching role and Australia will be first users of the stadium along with Pakistan," said Marsh.
"When other nations see what it is like here, I hope they will want to play too. It would be brilliant if one day Australia and England could meet head on in Dubai.
"I don't now how it could work but perhaps the ICC [the International Cricket Council] could have a Champions Trophy or even a World Cup here one day."
Marsh called it "a dream come true" to witness the gradual development of the new stadium to the point where it is now ready for use.
"When I came here in 2005 this site was a camel farm," he reflected. "The first thing we saw to rise from the soil was the stadium. To think that is is going to have international exposure on April 22 gives you a warm feeling that the dream is starting to come true. And this is only the first part of that dream.
"If I was still an international player I would be dying to play in that stadium. It is one of the most exciting grounds I have ever set foot in. The boundaries are short enough to take on but long enough to hole out."
Marsh is particularly impressed with the DSC floodlights which circle the playing arena.
"The lighting out there doesn't cast any shadows," he said. "I went all round the ground and got people to hit balls to all corners and got a good view of each shot.
"If anybody drops a catch in the outfield there it won't be the fault of the lights, it will be the fault of the catcher. You don't lose the ball in these lights."
Marsh was non-commital about the outcome of the five match series - the first two at DSC and the ensuing three at Abu Dhabi Cricket Stadium - because of his country's recent failure against South Africa and the fact that Pakistan will have an influence on the playing conditions as the 'home' team.
Marsh remarked: "The pitch for the practice matches had some grass.
"I think the Pakistanis, as the home team, will request that the grass is removed and that's fine. I just hope they don't take all the grass off it and leave nothing in it for the bowlers.
"Whatever the conditions, I'm sure that it will be a fantastic series. I just wish I was playing in it."
wjohnson@thenational.ae
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Results
6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Company%20Profile
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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The%20specs
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Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Company%20Profile
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