Cricketing
Greats to call the shots at Sixes
A team of test legends will
be behind the microphones when the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes
is staged next month.
Lining up in the commentary box at the
Kowloon Cricket Club on 8-9 November will be “all-star” quintet
Waqar Younis, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ian Bishop, Danny Morrison
and Kumar Sangakkara.
The five players are well qualified to
call the shots for broadcaster Ten Sports – they boast 291
tests and an astonishing 746 one day internationals (ODIs)
between them.
Waqar, who helped Pakistan win the inaugural
Sixes in 1992, is relishing his return to the Kowloon Cricket
Club.
“Pakistan have always had a strong record
in the Sixes and I'm looking forward to their performances,
in particular against India on the Saturday afternoon,” said
the fast bowling great.
“I really enjoy staying in close touch
with the game from the commentary box and seeing the development
of the players from all angles.”
Waqar – named Wisden Cricketer
of the Year in 1992 – retired in 2004 after a stellar career
in which he took 373 wickets in 87 tests and played in 262
one day internationals.
Since finishing playing he has moved
into the commentary box and has rapidly won a reputation for
his ability as an analyst.
Former India batsman Manjrekar, a
veteran of 37 tests and 74 ODIs, has hosted all Ten Sports
cricket since the launch of the channel in 2002.
“I enjoyed
my Sixes experience as a player and I'm looking forward to
returning to Hong Kong as a commentator,” he said.
“This is
a unique event with a distinct atmosphere and one that both
fans and players love to be part of.”
West Indies fast bowling
great Bishop (161 wickets in 43 tests) and former New Zealand
pace bowler Morrison (160 wickets in 48 tests) have both become
regulars on the worldwide commentary circuit since retiring
from the sport.
The Sixes will mark Sangakkara’s debut
behind the microphone and Ten Sports chiefs are expecting
him to be a huge hit with viewers.
The charismatic Sri Lankan
star, 30, is taking time out from playing to be part of the
commentary team.
Sangakkara is regarded as one of the finest
wicketkeeper-batsmen of all time, having plundered 17 centuries
in his 76 test appearances at an average of 54.79.He
has also played 230 ODIs.
He is currently second in the International
Cricket Council (ICC) world batting rankings behind West
Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who will be taking part in
the Sixes as a member of the All-Stars team.
“We’ve always
made a point of gathering a range of opinions and voices
from around the world on our cricket coverage,” said Ten
Sports senior vice-president Peter Hutton.
“I'm delighted
that for the Sixes that we've been able to get five big cricketing
names who reflect the international nature of the event and
the huge international TV audience.”
Ten Sports, owned by
Dubai-based Taj TV, is the world’s leading producer of cricket.
The
company will broadcast the Sixes on its own channels in the
Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, North America, continental
Europe, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Ten Sports has also secured
commitments from broadcasters to show the event in all other
major cricketing markets, including the UK and Australia.
Fans
in Hong Kong will be able to listen to Waqar and company by
watching the Sixes on NOW TV (channels 634 and 678, broadcasting
from 08:30 to 17:15 each day).
In a first for the tournament,
commentary will also be available in Cantonese.
Eight teams
are taking part in the Sixes – Pakistan, India, England and
South Africa will contest the Bradman Group while the All-Stars,
defending champions Sri Lanka, Australia and hosts Hong Kong
will do battle in the Sobers Group.
The top two teams in each
pool after day one will progress to the Cup on day two.
Joining
Chanderpaul in the All-Stars will be test greats Justin Langer
(Australia), Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) and Matthew Hoggard
(England).
Back to
News
|
Former
test stars Waqar Younis, Sanjay Manjrekar and Ian Bishop will
be in the TV commentary team for the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes
on 8-9 November, 2008.
Mandatory credit: Hong Kong
Cricket Sixes
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)
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.
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.
For
further information, please contact:
Niall
Donnelly
Two
Up Front
Tel: +852
2854 2136
Mob: +852
6052 3330
Fax: +852
3579 5955
Email: niall@tuf.com.hk
|
