Ashes
Ace Hoggard joins Sixes party
Ashes hero Matthew Hoggard is the latest big name player to sign up for the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.
The England fast bowler has been named in the All-Stars team for the showpiece at Kowloon Cricket Club on 8-9 November.
He will be part of a squad that already boasts test greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Justin Langer and Stephen Fleming.
“It will be an honour teaming up with such world class players as Shiv, Justin and Stephen for what promises to be a great tournament,” said Hoggard, 31.
“We’re going to enjoy ourselves and have plenty of fun, but at the same time we’ll be deadly serious about trying to win the tournament. The All-Stars were runners up in 2007 and we’d like nothing more than to improve on that and lift the trophy this year.”
Hoggard has played 67 tests for England, capturing 248 wickets, and played a key role in the team’s memorable Ashes series victory over Australia in 2005.
He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2006 and made his
county debut for Yorkshire 12 years ago.
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“Matthew is one of the most recognisable players in world cricket and we are
delighted he will be appearing at the Sixes for the first time
this year,” said Sixes tournament director Mark Burns.
“He is an outstanding fast bowler and will be the perfect complement to the All-Stars’
powerful batting line-up. I’m certain Hong Kong fans are going
to enjoy watching him.”
In the draw for the 2008 Sixes held at the Kowloon Cricket Club today (Thursday,
October 9), arch-rivals India and Pakistan were paired in the
same group, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on day
one of the tournament.
The two Asian giants are joined in the Bradman Group by four-time Sixes champions
England and 2006 winners South Africa.
The Sobers Group will feature the All-Stars, defending champions Sri Lanka, Australia
and hosts Hong Kong.
“Naturally, there will be plenty of excitement and anticipation surrounding the
India-Pakistan game, but England and South Africa are both sending
strong squads so we can expect some fantastic battles in that
group,” said Burns.
“In the Sobers Group, Hong Kong have been handed a dream match-up against the
All-Stars and I’m sure the players are already looking forward
to the challenge.”
South Africa will be captained by Tyron Henderson, whose bowling and batting
heroics inspired Middlesex to victory over Kent in the final
of English county cricket’s Twenty20 Cup in July.
England have chosen a powerful team that includes explosive Essex batsman Graham
Napier, who hammered an astonishing 152 – including a world record
16 sixes – in a Twenty20 game against Sussex in June.
Sri Lanka beat the 2007 All-Stars by 16 runs in last year’s pulsating final –
their maiden victory in 11 visits to the Sixes.
Matthew Hoggard Profile
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Tickets
for the 2008 Sixes – priced at $780 for adults and $450 for
children – will go on sale to the public tomorrow (Friday,
October 10).
Fans
in Hong Kong will also be able to watch the Sixes on now TV
(channels 634 and 678, broadcasting from 08:30 to 17:15 each
day) and, in a first for the tournament, commentary will be
available in Cantonese.
First held in 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is fully sanctioned by the ICC
and is the sport's longest-running, best-established and most high-profile sixes
tournament.
Players who have taken part over the past 16 years include Brian Lara, Sachin
Tendulkar, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Gilchrist
and Wasim Akram.
The tournament is organised and promoted by the Hong Kong Cricket Association’s
commercial arm, China Cricket International Limited.
The HKCA’s proceeds from the Sixes will be ploughed directly back into cricket
development in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Cricket Sixes draw results
Bradman group
a. ENGLAND
b. PAKISTAN
c. SOUTH AFRICA
d. INDIA
Sobers group
e. AUSTRALIA
f. SRI LANKA
g. ALL-STARS
h. HONG KONG
Day one
Round robin in each group, with standings determined by points then run rate. The top two teams from each group advance to the Cup Group. The bottom two teams from each group advance to the Plate semi-finals.
Day two
The Cup Group is a round robin with standings determined by points then run rate. The top two teams will play in the Cup final. The Plate semi-finals will feature the third place team from the Bradman Group vs the fourth place team from the Sobers Group; and the third place team from the Sobers Group vs the fourth place team from the Bradman Group. The winners will play in the Plate final.
Note: Third and fourth place overall determined by points then run rate after round robin in Cup Group; seventh and eighth place overall determined by run rate after Plate semi-finals.
About
the Hong Kong Cricket Association
The Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) is responsible for professionally administering
cricket at all levels in Hong Kong. It aims to promote, expand and develop the
sport, improve standards in all areas of the game and increase the number of
participants from all sectors of the local community. It organises competitions
throughout the year for all age groups, from primary school children to senior
players. The HKCA’s wholly owned subsidiary, China Cricket International Limited,
is responsible for the organisation and management of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes
Released on behalf of the Hong Kong Cricket
Sixes by Two Up Front.
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