England Names Hong Kong Cricket Sixes Squad

[HD video below] Five-time Hong Kong Cricket Sixes champions England, led by Rory Hamilton-Brown, will return to the vibrant SAR with a tried and tested squad as they look at winning their sixth title at the Kowloon Cricket Club between 28-30 October 2011.

Surrey captain Hamilton-Brown is one of four players who figured in last year’s Sixes and is determined to win England its first Cup title since 2008. The others who have experienced the pressure-cooker atmosphere at the KCC include Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens, Warwickshire fast bowler Rikki Clarke and Somerset opener Peter Trego.

The three new faces are exciting young batsman Josh Cobb, who plays for Leicestershire, England and Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper Chris Read and Lancashire opening batsman Tom Smith.

Read, who has played 15 tests for England and played in the 2004 series against the West Indies when Brian Lara scored his world record 400 not out, will take care of the gloves as Hamilton-Brown mixes the rest of his professional outfit as they chase a sixth success.

Chris Adams, former England batsman, current coach of Surrey and manager of the England team in Kong Kong said, “I can’t wait to get the team to Hong Kong. The squad is a blend of experienced players and young players who have been identified as potential England players.”

“A good performance in Hong Kong will certainly carry a lot of weight going forward. I think Rory’s [captain Rory Hamilton-Brown] having been here before will help. Last year he wasn’t quite sure how to approach the tournament, where to play himself etcetera, but his experience in Hong Kong will help bring the side together as quickly as possible. I’m very excited to work with Peter Trego as well. He is playing in the Champion’s league at the moment and is a superb player. They are all very good players with a lot of potential ... The challenge for us has to be nothing less than to go and win the tournament and for the players to show what power, ability and self-belief they’ve got in the short form of the game. A win in Hong Kong can be the ignition of a long career in international cricket.”

England are already the most successful team at the Hong Kong Sixes – Pakistan are second with four wins – and with ‘home’ support will be keen to extend their dominance at the tournament.

England Squad: Rory Hamilton-Brown (Surrey, captain), Rikki Clarke (Warwickshire), Josh Cobb (Leicestershire), Chris Read (Nottinghamshire), Tom Smith (Lancashire), Darren Stevens (Kent), Peter Trego (Somerset), Manager: Chris Adams (Surrey).

Pool A: All Stars, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Scotland.
Pool B: Australia, England, Bangladesh and Ireland.
Pool C: Pakistan, South Africa, India and Hong Kong.

Karp Group Hong Kong Cricket Sixes - Interview with Glyn Davies, Tournament Director

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