Jayasuriya
joins awesome all-stars team
Living legend Sanath Jayasuriya will showcase
his devastating batting skills at next month’s Hong Kong Cricket
Sixes.
The Sri Lankan ace – one of the most lethal
hitters in the game – has been confirmed for the showpiece
at the Kowloon Cricket Club on 8-9 November.
He will join an
awesome All-Stars team that already contains test greats Shivnarine
Chanderpaul, Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming and Matthew Hoggard.
“I'm
delighted to be playing in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes and
I'm looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic weekend
at the Kowloon Cricket Club,” said Jayasuriya.
“It will be great
to team up with guys like Shiv, Justin, Stephen and Matthew,
who have been my friends and respected opponents for many years
in test and one day cricket, and hopefully we can put on a
fantastic show for the fans.”
Jayasuriya, 39, is one of the
true greats of the modern game, having racked up an astonishing
27 hundreds and 66 fifties in 421 one day internationals (ODIs).
Yet
the left-hander has also enjoyed a stellar test career, scoring
14 hundreds and 31 fifties in 110 matches.
In addition, he is
an extremely effective spin bowler with 310 ODI wickets and
98 test wickets to his name.
Jayasuriya revolutionised ODI batting
with his aggressive tactics at the 1996 World Cup, taking advantage
of fielding restrictions early in the innings by smashing the
opening bowlers to all parts of the ground.
He was named Player
of the Tournament as Sri Lanka lifted the trophy.
He retired
from international cricket in 2006 but quickly reversed his
decision. He quit tests again at the end of last year but continues
to feature in Sri Lanka’s ODI squad.
The All-Stars have been
pooled with defending champions Sri Lanka in the Sobers Group,
meaning Jayasuriya will face a meeting with his countrymen
on day one of the tournament.
“I'm especially anticipating our
match against Sri Lanka on Saturday afternoon – that will be
an interesting experience and a lot of fun also, I'm sure,”
he said.
“The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes has a great
reputation among players and I'm really keen to join in the
action.”
Sixes tournament director Mark Burns predicted
Jayasuriya would be a huge hit in Hong Kong.
“Sanath Jayasuriya
is a thrilling player to watch – one of the most brutal strikers
of a ball the sport has seen,” said Burns.
“I’m sure Hong
Kong fans are going to relish the chance to see this great
batsman in action. We can expect some fireworks from him.
”Ticket
sales have been very strong since they went on sale two weeks
ago and we expect this to continue, especially now that Jayasuriya
has been confirmed.”
Australia and hosts Hong Kong are the
remaining two teams in the Sobers Group while the Bradman
Group will be contested by India, Pakistan, England and South
Africa.
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)
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Sri Lankan
icon Sanath Jayasuriya has joined the All-Stars team for
the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on 8-9 November, 2008.
Mandatory credit: Hong Kong
Cricket Sixes
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
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