Surrey set for Abu Dhabi trophy

Butcher is hoping his side will be able to hit the ground running next season

Surrey will play in the Pro Arch Trophy in Abu Dhabi in 2009 as part of their build-up to the new season.

Middlesex, Sussex, Essex, Yorkshire and Lancashire will also compete in the one-day tournament in March.

"It's a great chance for some lads, who want to make a case for themselves before the season starts," captain Mark Butcher told BBC London 94.9.

"It's a chance for us to have a look at some candidates for other jobs that may pop up in the season."

He added: "It's something that can help team spirit enormously, it can help myself and other coaches pin-point players that may step out of the woodwork and come in and make positions their own.

"The local derbies are there and the competition should be pretty tough and although competitions aren't won in the middle of March it will give us a head start."