India and Pakistan primed for first day finale
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to ensure day one of the 2008 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes ends with a bang.
The Asian giants will bring the curtain down on the first day’s action when they face off in a potentially crucial Bradman Group encounter.
The two teams have some of the most spirited fans at the Sixes
and their showdown can be expected to crank up the atmosphere
to fever pitch.
“Any game between India and Pakistan is to be savoured,” said
tournament director Mark Burns.
“But what makes this clash even more mouth-watering is that there is every chance a place in the Cup will be at stake.
“If either team has the opportunity to knock the other out of the Cup, then we really can expect some fireworks.”
Eight teams will go for glory when the Sixes is staged at the Kowloon Cricket Club on 8-9 November.
Day one sees the teams divided into two groups of four for round robin action. But with only two teams from each group advancing to the Cup, every game will be crucial.
The Bradman Group is completed by powerful England and a big-hitting South African line-up – meaning India and Pakistan face some tough matches even before they take the field at 4:35pm for the day’s finale.
England will be spearheaded by explosive Essex batsman Graham Napier, who hammered an astonishing 152 – including a world record 16 sixes – in a Twenty20 game against Sussex in June.
In addition, four players in the squad – captain Dimitri Mascarenhas, Darren Maddy, Tim Bresnan and Ed Joyce – have one day international experience.
Rising star Jonathan Trott, meanwhile, has played for England in Twenty20 matches.
South Africa, captained by former test wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile, will feature two players who have featured for the Proteas in one day internationals – Gulam Bodi and the fast-scoring Loots Bosman.
Other members of the South African squad have plenty of experience in domestic limited overs cricket.
“Both England and South Africa are sending teams loaded with
specialists in the short form of the game,” said Burns.
“They have won the tournament six times between them and will provide plenty of problems for India and Pakistan.”
Earlier in the day, Hong Kong will open their Sixes campaign with a Sobers Group match against Australia at 9:50am.
The hosts will then have their dream match-up against the All-Stars – containing test greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming and Matthew Hoggard – at 11:20am.
Hong Kong’s final match of the day will be at 2:20pm against the remaining team in the Sobers Group, defending champions Sri Lanka.
Sunday’s play, featuring the Cup and Plate rounds, will commence at 8:30am.
Tickets for the 2008 Sixes – priced at $780 for adults and $450 for children – are on sale at the following locations:
- China Cricket International, Sheung Wan (Tel: 2543 8500)
- Dot
Cod Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Central (Tel:
2810 6988)
- Hong Kong Cricket Club, Happy Valley (Tel: 3511 8668)
- Kowloon Cricket Club, Jordan (Tel: 2376 4141)
First held in 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is fully
sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and is the
sport's longest-running, best-established and most high-profile
sixes tournament.
The Hong Kong Cricket Association’s proceeds
from the Sixes are ploughed directly back into cricket development
in Hong Kong.
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