Sydney Sixers sign Hong Kong's Ming Li as community rookie

Legspinner Ming Li, who has played Twenty20s for Hong Kong, has signed with the Sydney Sixers as their community rookie for the 2015-16 season. Ming, 24, is a legspinner who honed his art by watching Youtube videos of Shane Warne, and his addition to the BBL community rookie programme has been hailed as a significant step.

"This is one of the most exciting developments in Hong Kong Cricket history," Tim Cutler, the CEO of the Hong Kong Cricket Association, said. "We do hope this is the start of a great relationship with the Sydney Sixers and New South Wales Cricket.

"We believe this is the first time any Hong Kong sportsperson has participated in such an elite 'franchise' tournament and we can't wait to see the positive effect Ming's BBL involvement will have on the already rapid development within the growing Chinese cricket community.

"With the Hong Kong team competing in next year's ICC World Twenty20, it will not only give Ming a head start in preparations but also allow him an insight into some of the best players in T20 cricket."

The BBL community rookies are not officially part of the playing squad for the tournament, but can be elevated as a replacement player, as happened with Solomon Mire at the Melbourne Renegades two seasons ago.

The aim of the community rookie programme is to provide opportunities for players who might not otherwise be identified by Australian cricket's pathway programmes.