Cricket South Africa (CSA) today named the South African squad to take part in the annual Hong Kong Sixes’ tournament.

The tournament takes place at the Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC) in the city’s Jordan district from October 28-30.

“We have followed the standard procedure of getting each franchise to nominate a player so that we do not disadvantage franchises from their domestic competition requirements,” commented CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson.

“This is a very important tournament for players who have been identified as having the potential to represent the Proteas. We always put an emphasis on young talent and we look forward to the performances of the likes of Mangaliso Mosehle, 21, a former SA Under-19 Cricketer of the Year, and Matthew Hulett, 20, this year’s CSA amateur one-day Player of the Year.

“There is also a good balance of experience provided by Lyall Meyer and Dillon du Preez.

“We are confident this squad can bring home some prestigious silverware.”

The South Africans will again be coached by Corrie Van Zyl (pictured below).

Squad:

Richard Cameron (Highveld Lions), Dillon du Preez (Knights), Matthew Hulett (Dolphins), Lyall Meyer (Warriors), Mangaliso Mosehle (Titans), Aubrey Swanepoel (Griquas), Lenert van Wyk (Cape Cobras)

Manager/Coach: Corrie van Zyl

Some images from previous South African teams at the Hong Kong Sixes:

Hong Kong Sixes 2010

Dinner with the SA Association, “Vinnige Fanie” De Villiers and the SA Team:

Cricketers from UK, Australia, Shanghai, Thailand and Hong Kong will be enjoying the camaraderie and competition of the 9th annual Hong Kong Cricket Festival this weekend (3-5th December) at Hong Kong’s newest cricket venue, Kai Tak Cricket Ground, site of the famous former airport.

The award winning Festival, part of the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour and hosted by Lamma Cricket Club, gets underway on Friday 3rd December at 1.30pm with a Twenty20 match featuring players from Shanghai Dragons & Pirates versus a combined Honourable Horse Artillery / CBB side in what promises to be an entertaining match up.

The sixes part of the cricket Festival will be played all day Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm.

Spectators and supporters, possibly feeling Ashes fever, are very welcome to come down to the picturesque ground in Kowloon City and enjoy the atmosphere.

For further information see the tournament website at www.hkcricketfestival.com

Here’s a teaser from last year’s Private Capital Cricket Festival:

One of these days I’m going to make a list of all the South African sporting and cultural heavyweights who have called on the Hong Kong shores, much to the delight of (most of) the South African expatriates.

This past weekend, to coincide with the 2010-edition of the Karp Group/PC Jewelry Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, it was the turn of one of our country’s cricketing legends: the fast bowler (hence the nickname) called Petrus Stephanus (Fanie) De Villiers.

One Saturday evening, the Southern African Association of Hong Kong hosted Fanie, together with members of this year’s South African team at a traditional South African braai (BBQ for the rest of you) at the Hong Kong Cricket Club.

The braai also served as a fund-raising event for Fanie’s charity dedicated to raising financial support for cochlear implants.

Many thanks has to go out to the auctioneer on the evening who did a sterling job of pushing up the bids with his wagging finger, as well as the SA team who helped to make the evening a memorable one.

Other highlights included Fanie’s eloquent and very entertaining speech, that of SA team skipper Shane Burger, the food as well as my very naughty neighbour trying to undress team wicketkeeper Adrian McLaren! (Have a look at the video clip below for all the action.)

The now-famous auctioneer and his wagging finger (below).

Here are some more images set to music from Steve Hofmeyer and Freshlyground:

Good morning!

08:30: South Africa kicked off proceedings on Day 2 of the Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, with Hong Kong fielding.

South Africa set the hosts a target of 72 off 4 overs.

08:45: South Africa reversed yesterday’s results against Hong Kong by beating the locals by 15 runs.

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Talk about second chances!

After losing their first match yesterday against Hong Kong, that result was canceled when the tournament was revised to 4-overs a side.  South Africa played their next game against Australia which they promptly won by 1 run.  Then, in the first match of Day 2, the South Africans reversed yesterday’s results by beating hosts Hong Kong by 15 runs, putting them on their way to possible defending their 2009 Hong Kong Sixes title.

The sun is out, the rain is gone and it might just be a great day at the Kowloon Cricket club.

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What a great day it turned out indeed!  Besides the lovely weather, South Africa dumped England out of the Cup competition to top their Pool and advance to the Cup Semi-finals.

Two more games to go Boys.

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South Africa plays Pakistan in the first Semi-Finals of the Cup competition, while Sri Lanka plays Australia in the second Semi-Final.

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Rampant Pakistan

Pakistan defeated South Africa in the first semi-final at the Kowloon Cricket Club in stunning form.

In an innings where all but NINE balls were hit for a 4 or 6, Pakistan set South Africa a massive, record-breaking target of 138.  Given that the tournament was revised to only 4 overs-a-side, this score was well and truly a massive achievement.

Unfortunate, the South Africans only managed 88 in their innings where the players asked serious questions about the balls being used.  Top-scorer for South Africa was the returning player David Wiese who retired after scoring 32 runs.

I sat with them in the players’ enclosure and and can say that the Boys are bitterly disappointed but hey…

This is cricket.

Pakistan will play either Sri Lanka or Australia in the Final at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

Click here for the electronic score-sheet South Africa vs. Pakistan

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2:55pm- Australia just defeated Sri Lanka to advance to the Cup Final where they will meet Pakistan.

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4:20pm- Cup Final

The Pakistanis are truly in rampant form, setting Australia another massive target of 133 runs.  The Aussies got the crowd going when their wicket-keeper, in true Aussie style, chirped at the Pakistani players, almost prompting a physical confrontation in the middle of the pitch.

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Drama at the Kowloon Cricket Club

For the 3rd year in a row, the Championship has been decided with the last ball.

Needing 4 off the final ball of their innings, the Pakistani bowler bowled a wide which went past a diving wicket-keeper for four runs.

Pakistani hearts were well and truly broken and Australia won their first-ever Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

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Unfortunately the South African team could not be part of the after-tournament events (in the club-house and later tonight at Stormies in Lan Kwai Fong) as they have to jet out tonight.

Scheduling problems left them with flights out of Hong Kong tonight and Thursday… so they’re missed quite a lot of the celebrations.

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First match of Day 2 of the Hong Kong Sixes (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Just another lazy Sunday morning at the cricket…. (Pic: Mike Jansen)

The weather is rather miserable on this side of the noodle-curtain with constant rain falling since daybreak.

The 2010 Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes starts tomorrow and so far, all indications are that the tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC) will experience a wet day 1.

South Africa starts proceding tomorrow morning with a repeat of last year’s Final against hosts Hong Kong.  The team in red was denied their first-ever victory on home soil in the Final last year and are sure to come back with guns bats blazing.  The Hong Kongers return with mostly the same squad as 2009.

Along with left-arm spinner  and skipper Najeeb Amar, the others who made Hong Kong proud 12 months ago and will be returning are Munir Dar, Irfan Ahmed, Tanvir Afzaal and Hussain Butt. The two new faces in the squad are left-handed batsman Peter Wooden and teenage medium-pacer Aizaz Khan.

On the South African side David Wiese is the only returning player and will have to guide his teammates in a format not familiar to South Africans.  The SA side is:

Andrew Birch, Shane Burger, Shaheen Khan, Keshav Maharaj, Adrian McLaren, Godfrey Stevens and Dave Wiese, with  Lawrence Mahatlane as Manager.

South Africa’s schedule in the pool stages tomorrow is:

6 Nov (8:20 AM) Hong Kong v South Africa

6 Nov (11:20 AM) England v South Africa

6 Nov (2:20 PM) South Africa v Australia

The weather outlook for the following few days:

Please visit this page for up-to-the-minute reports from the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.  You can also add us on Twitter by following @HowzitHongKong

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Saturday 6 November 2010: 9am

The first match of the day (South Africa vs. Hong Kong) scheduled for 08:20 has been delayed due to rain.

Right now, rain has actually stopped so played is scheduled to start at 10am.

The covers came on when the rain started. More pictures here

Saturday 6 November 2010: 09:35

South African has won the toss and will field when play starts at 10am

10:35: A fired-up Hong Kong set South Africa a target of 115 to win

10:45: The soft, constant drizzle seems to be intensifying as SA reaches 79/1 with 7 balls remaining.

Target: 36 from 7 balls

South Africa loses the match when they can only score 99 runs.

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11:25am: The start of match 2 (Pakistan vs. New Zealand) has been suspended due to rain

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14:25: The sparse crowd just cheered when the covers came off and the players started warming up

Next game: Pakistan vs. New Zealand

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Update: Due to the rain delay, the length of the matches have been reduced to 4-overs per side

The next match, Pakistan vs. New Zealand will start at 3:30pm

The schedule for Day 1 will be:

Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand

India vs. Pakistan

Hong Kong vs. England

South Africa vs. Australia

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News just in:

Organisers have decided to cancel the first game of the tournament played this morning between South Africa and Hong Kong.

Four matches are currently being played in the revised format of 4 overs per side:

Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand

India vs. Pakistan

Hong Kong vs. England

South Africa vs. Australia

The remainder of the original Pool matches (8 matches) will be played tomorrow, ahead of the knock-out rounds.

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Sri Lanka beat New Zealand

Pakistan beat India

Hong Kong beat England

South Africa beat Australia

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Day 2 of the Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes coming up tomorrow…

The South African team for the 2010 Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes arrived in the city today, intent on successfully defending the title won so dramatically by Davy Jacobs’ side this time last year.

David Wiese (pictured right) is the only member of the 2009 team who will play at the Kowloon Cricket Club this weekend, November 6-7.

With last year’s coach Corrie Van Zyl doing duty as the Proteas’ national coach, Lawrence Mahatlane will be responsible for guiding the team in Hong Kong this week.

“Our aim is to win the Cup once again. We are coming over to compete, and although we don’t play this format back home, I believe we have the side to lift the trophy again,” Mahatlane said recently.

“Our domestic competition has resulted in most of the players from last being unavailable, but this will be a good opportunity for the younger players to prove themselves in the heat of action in an international tournament.”

The South African team is:

Andrew Birch

Shane Burger

Shaheen Khan

Keshav Maharaj

Adrian McLaren

Godfrey Stevens

Dave Wiese

Lawrence Mahatlane (Manager)

The South African playing strip for the Sixes

South Africa’s schedule for Day 1 is:

6 Nov(8:20 AM) Hong Kong v South Africa

6 Nov(11:20 AM) England v South Africa

6 Nov(2:20 PM) South Africa v Australia

Pugnacious batsman Scott Styris will return from injury to lead a strong New Zealand squad in search of an elusive Cup victory at the Hong Kong Sixes next month.

Styris will spearhead a team that includes two other Black Caps – Darryl Tuffey and Nathan McCullum – in search of honours at the Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes at the Kowloon Cricket Club on November 6-7.

“We have a nice mix of experienced internationals as well as seasoned campaigners in our domestic competition plus a couple of up-and-coming youngsters,” said Styris.

A 29-test and 160 one-day international veteran, Styris has successfully recovered from a partial stress fracture to his lower back which ruled him out of New Zealand’s recent tour to Bangladesh.

Logan van Beek and Harry Boam, two players who featured in the New Zealand Under-19 World Cup squad last year will provide a dash of young talent.

Apart from Tuffey and McCullum, the rest of the squad comprises a pair of experienced domestic players Carl Frauenstein and Kieran Noema-Barnett, with Styris picking the latter as one to watch out for.

“We have a very good side and one which can beat anyone,” Styris said. “But I’m mindful of the fact that the other teams too have some top-quality players while Hong Kong has shown they can also be a threat. It will be tough, but we are coming there to win New Zealand its first Hong Kong Sixes title.”

A more than useful all-rounder – he has 3,743 ODI runs and 125 wickets – the 35-year-old Styris revealed his immediate goals were to play in the World Cup next year as well as get another contract with in the Indian Premier League. He played for the Deccan Charges in his first three-year contract which ended this season.

“But my first aim is to see that New Zealand win the Hong Kong Sixes. This is my first visit. I missed out on the last two occasions due to other commitments, and I’m really llloking forward to it as I heard it is a fun but serious event,” Styris added.

New Zealand is drawn in the preliminary Sobers Group with Indian, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Bradman Group comprises England, Australia, defending champions South Africa and last year’s runners-up Hong Kong.

China will also make a debut appearance at the Hong Kong Sixes when the Asian Games-bound squad takes part in an exhibition match against a Hong Kong development team on the Sunday of the tournament.

 The New Zealand side is:

Scott Styris (c) – Northern Knights

Daryl Tuffey – Auckland Aces

Nathan McCullum – Otago Volts

Carl Frauenstein – Canterbury Wizards

Logan van Beek – Canterbury Wizards

Harry Boam – Wellington Firebirds

Kieran Noema-Barnett – Central Stags

Anil Kumble will lead crowd favourites India in its bid to win the Hong Kong Sixes for only the second time in the history of the tournament.

Kumble returns with the core of the team which played last year – Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Stuart Binny and Sriram Sridharan – together with Rohan Gavaskar, another regular at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

But all eyes at the Karp Group.PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on November 6-7 will be on one of the two new faces in the Indian squad – dashing batsman Ambati Rayudu.

Rayudu, 25, played alongside the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for the Mumbai Indians in this season’s Indian Premier League. A couple of outstanding knocks from Rayudu who opened the batting, went a long way in helping Mumbai Indians reach the IPL final.

“He is a very talented cricketer and one who holds a lot of promise,” said Kumble who captained Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. “He is a hard-hitting batsman and has come to the fore with some good knocks for the Mumbai Indians.”

The other first-timer to the Hong Kong Sixes is Kumble’s Royal Challengers teammate Akhil Balachandra. A useful all-rounder, Balachandra has a Twenty20 strike rate of 150 and his hitting could be what India needs.

“We didn’t do well last year winning only one of our matches. We can’t do worse than last year,” Kumble said. “The aim this time is to go all the way and be in contention on the last day.”

Kumble, and Indian fans will be hoping Reetinder Singh Sodhi will rediscover the cracking form he showed with the bat at the 2005 tournament which India won, defeating the West Indies in the final.

Kumble added: “We are in a tough preliminary round group, but I’m confident we can do well this year.”

Indian Cricket legend Anil Kumble returns to lead India in Hong Kong 2010

India are drawn with rivals Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the Sobers Group at the US$150,000 tournament. The other Bradman Group comprises defending champions South Africa, England, Australia and hosts Hong Kong.

“It is a good competitive side, and if guys like Sodhi and Rayudu get going, India will pose a strong threat to the others,” said Captain Shahzada Saleem Ahmed, president of the Hong Kong Cricket Association.

China, represented by the Asian Games side, will also be making their debut appearance at the Hong Kong Sixes when they take part in an exhibition game against a Hong Kong development team on the Sunday of the tournament.

INDIA: Anil Kumble (captain), Rohan Gavaskar, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Sriram Sridharan, Stuart Binny, Ambati Rayudu, Akhil Balachandra.

Former Test and one-day international captain Shoaib Malik will lead Pakistan in their bid to win the Hong Kong Sixes for the first time since a Wasim Akram-led team won in 2002.

Malik, who was in charge of Pakistan for a two-year spell from 2007 to 2009, will be at the head of a team mixed with seasoned campaigners and a couple of youngsters with raw talent for the Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on November 6-7.

Apart from Malik, the others with test and one-day international experience include opening batsman Imran Nazir, and fast bowlers Shabbir Ahmed and Sohail Khan. The rest of the squad comprises youngsters Shoaib Khan, a left-hand opening batsman, all-rounder Asad Ali and teenage batsman Ahmed Shehzad.

“It is as very strong side and with Shoaib Malik leading the team, Pakistan will be very competitive,” said Hong Kong Cricket Association president Captain Shahzada Saleem Ahmed.

Malik, who played in the last test series against England, will be remembered by local fans for his stubborn century in the 2004 Asia Cup in Colombo which earned Pakistan a face-saving victory against Hong Kong.

“We are very grateful to the Pakistan Cricket Board for sending a full-strength squad, one which I believe will pose a real threat to the other teams,” Captain Saleem added.

Malik, who earlier this year married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, will be the centre of attraction as Pakistan try to make up for average performances in the last couple of years and win the event. Next to England, they are the most successful team in the history of the Hong Kong Sixes having won four titles.

Pakistan is drawn with arch-rivals India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the preliminary Sobers Group. The Bradman Group comprises England, Australia, defending champions South Africa and hosts Hong Kong.

The US$150,000 tournament will also feature China’s Asian Games-bound squad who will play an exhibition match against a Hong Kong Development team on the Sunday of the tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

Hong Kong will hope to go one better at The Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes next month, and will be back with five of the players who stunned the world by reaching the Cup finals before losing to South Africa on the final ball of the 2009 tournament.

Najeeb Amar will spearhead a team bristling with familiar faces for the November 6-7 tournament which is also presented by sponsors Unirich at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

Along with left-arm spinner Najeeb, the others who made Hong Kong proud 12 months ago and will be returning are Munir Dar, Irfan Ahmed, Tanvir Afzaal and Hussain Butt. The two new faces in the squad are left-handed batsman Peter Wooden and teenage medium-pacer Aizaz Khan.

“We came close last year before losing on the final delivery. We hope to make amends and go all the way,” said Najeeb a veteran of nine Hong Kong Sixes campaigns.

Hong Kong hearts were crushed last year when South Africa, needing five runs from the last ball in a gripping Cup final, won with Farhaan Behardien hitting a six.

“It is going to be harder this time for everyone will know that we not pushovers any more,” Najeeb said. “But we have a good side once again and I’m confident we can do well once more.”

There will be added pressure on Hong Kong to perform this year, with the fans benefiting from a deal by official carrier Jet Airways, whereby if Hong Kong wins the Cup or reaches the final, ticketholders will be eligible for massively discounted flights ob both economy and business classes to Mumbai, New Delhi, Colombo and Johannesburg.

All-rounder Wooden, who has made a mark for KCC this season with his powerful batting and left-arm spinners is expected to strengthen the side while the other debutant, 17-year-old Khan has been picking up wickets regularlry for his club Pakistan Association in the local leagues.

“They are both good additions to the team and will strengthen the team while the rest have all played a number of times and they know what is needed,” Najeeb said.

While every player can make weighty contributions with the bat, Hong Kong will have a good mix in the bowling department with Najeeb, Dar and Wooden all handy left-arm spinners while the pace department will be led by Irfan, Afzaal and Khan. Hussain Butt will be the designated wicket-keeper.

“We have a good blend of experience and raw talent and there is a good mix of all-rounders. Our aim is to improve on last year’s performance,” Najeeb added.

HK Sixes skipper Najeeb Amar (Pic: CricInfo)

The tournament got an added boost with Unirich returning as a sponsor. “We are glad to be associated once again with the Hong Kong Sixes,” said Sohan Goenka, managing director, Unirich Group.

Meanwhile Roy Lamsam will lead a Hong Kong development squad in the exhibition match against China’s Asian Games-bound on the Sunday of the tournament.

Hong Kong Sixes Squad:

Najeeb Amar, Munir Dar, Irfan Ahmed, Tanvir Afzaal, Peter Wooden, Hussain Butt, Aizaz Khan.

Hong Kong Development squad:

Roy Lamsam (c), Li Kai-ming, Chan Ka-ming, Siegfried Wai, Nizakat Khan, Asif Khan, Jason Lui

Hong Kong are pooled with England, Australia and defending champions South Africa in the preliminary Bradman Group while the other pool, the Sobers Group comprises, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.