Hong Kong beat Bhutan in ACC Women's T20 warm-up

Hong Kong have beaten Bhutan by 78 runs in an ACC Women's Twenty20 warm-up match played in Kuwait.

National Coach, Charlie Burke, files the following report from Kuwait:

"Hong Kong's captain, Neisha Pratt, won the toss in windy conditions and did not hesistate to bat first in a warm-up game against Bhutan ahead of defending their title at the ACC Women's Twenty20 Championships in Kuwait.

Keenu Gill and Pratt opened the batting for Hong Kong and put on 88 for the first wicket in the first 10 overs before Gill was caught at point playing a lazy shot in an effort to push the run-rate. Hong Kong's vice-captain, Connie Wong, then joined her captain and went about her innings in style with some beautifully struck straight drives against a frustrated Bhutan attack. Wong and Pratt added another 32 runs to the score before Pratt retired on 39 not out.

After Pratt's retirement, a mini collapse saw Hong Kong slip to 3-120 after 15 overs as Chan Sau Ha was bowled second ball for no score and Mariko Hill was run out trying to get off the mark with a risky single. Betty Chan joined her vice captain and together they put on an unbeaten 41-run partnership to lift Hong Kong to 3-161 from their 20 overs. Wong's innings was superb, making 43 not out while Chan supported well with 8 not out.

Bhutan started their innings well as a dust storm blew across the ground, making fielding and bowling difficult for the Hong Kong women. Kristine Wong, who opened the bowling into the wind, was taken for 9 off her first over but her opening partner Connie Wong fought back well with only 2 runs coming off her over.

Bhutan's right-hand opener was bowled for 3 by Kristine Wong to have Bhutan 1-20 off the 3rd over, as the left-handed opener Dema was starting to find the boundaries. Dema looked set for a big innings and was lookin good but she was run out by Neisha Pratt while going for a quick single to leave Bhutan on 2-43 off 7 overs; still needing another 118 off 13 overs.

But the introduction of Annie Ho (2-9) and Chan Sau Ha (5-19) into the attack saw Hong Kong skittle Bhutan for 83 off 19.2 overs.

Hong Kong will face China in the opening game of the ACC Women's Twenty20 Championships on Friday 18th February 2011 - this being an afternoon game."

Related link: HKCA Coverage - ACC Women's Twenty20 Championships 2011