LONDON (AFP) - The English cricket seasons traditional season-opener between Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the champion county will take place in Abu Dhabi for the second consecutive year, it was announced here on Thursday.MCC, which owns Londons Lords Cricket Ground and has global responsibility for crickets laws, will face Nottinghamshire, last seasons first division winners, in a four-day, day/night encounter at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium from March 27. The match was played in the Middle East for the first time last year, with Durhams win over MCC also notable for the fact the fixture saw a trial for a pink cricket ball. A similar experiment could take place during the latest Abu Dhabi clash and MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said: MCC is pleased to be returning to Abu Dhabi for the Champion County match. It is an excellent ground for competitive first-class cricket and, played in good weather, will be ideal preparation for the players ahead of an English season. The fixture also provides a perfect platform for us to use as valuable research and development for the world game.