WORCESTERSHIRE'S Ross Whiteley will compete in the first T10 Cricket League at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates next month.

The all-rounder will make the switch from T20 to a shorter format of the game after the Bangladesh Premier League reaches its climax in early December.

Whiteley has been named in the Maratha Arabians squad for the tournament which is being staged from December 14 to 17. The 20-over matches have to be completed in 90 minutes.

Whiteley’s team-mates will include captain Virender Sehwag, Lendl Simmons, Alex Hales, Mohammed Sami, Kumar Sangakkara and Mohammed Amir.

Six teams comprising of more than 50 international players will be participating with Bengal Tigers, Kerala Kings, Pakhtoons, Colombo Lions and Punjabi Legends joining Maratha at the crease.

Worcestershire assistant coach Matt Mason said: “It is all great experience. There is no doubt that Ross is one of our best T20 players, one of the best strikers of a ball in the country.

“He has been involved in the Bangladesh Premier League and now has got a slot in the T10 League.

“It is brilliant for him. He will learn plenty. He is surrounded by some great players.

“There is nothing like playing in matches and if you are surrounding by international players it is even better. Hopefully he will come back with a heap of information on how the game is evolving which can be used.

“No doubt his own game will improve, particularly against the areas of spin which I know it is an area he wants to strengthen.”

Maratha Arabians: Virender Sehwag (captain), Lendl Simmons, Ross Whiteley, Alex Hales, Hardus Viljoen, Wayne Parnell, Rilee Roussouw, Mohammad Sami, Kamran Akmal, Imad Wasim, Kumar Sangakkara, Mohammed Amir, Reolof Van Der Merwe, Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan.