Ashes ace Hoggard joins Sixes party

	Matthew Hoggard has been confirmed in the All-Stars team for the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on 8-9 November, 2008. © Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Ashes hero Matthew Hoggard is the latest big name player to sign up for the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

The England fast bowler has been named in the All-Stars team for the showpiece at Kowloon Cricket Club on 8-9 November.

He will be part of a squad that already boasts test greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Justin Langer and Stephen Fleming.

"It will be an honour teaming up with such world class players as Shiv, Justin and Stephen for what promises to be a great tournament," said Hoggard, 31.

"We're going to enjoy ourselves and have plenty of fun, but at the same time we'll be deadly serious about trying to win the tournament. The All-Stars were runners up in 2007 and we'd like nothing more than to improve on that and lift the trophy this year."

Hoggard has played 67 tests for England, capturing 248 wickets, and played a key role in the team's memorable Ashes series victory over Australia in 2005.

He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2006 and made his county debut for Yorkshire 12 years ago.

"Matthew is one of the most recognisable players in world cricket and we are delighted he will be appearing at the Sixes for the first time this year," said Sixes tournament director Mark Burns.

"He is an outstanding fast bowler and will be the perfect complement to the All-Stars' powerful batting line-up. I'm certain Hong Kong fans are going to enjoy watching him."

Player Profile: Matthew Hoggard

In the draw for the 2008 Sixes held at the Kowloon Cricket Club today (Thursday, October 9), arch-rivals India and Pakistan were paired in the same group, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on day one of the tournament.

The two Asian giants are joined in the Bradman Group by four-time Sixes champions England and 2006 winners South Africa.

The Sobers Group will feature the All-Stars, defending champions Sri Lanka, Australia and hosts Hong Kong.

"Naturally, there will be plenty of excitement and anticipation surrounding the India-Pakistan game, but England and South Africa are both sending strong squads so we can expect some fantastic battles in that group," said Burns.

"In the Sobers Group, Hong Kong have been handed a dream match-up against the All-Stars and I'm sure the players are already looking forward to the challenge."

South Africa will be captained by Tyron Henderson, whose bowling and batting heroics inspired Middlesex to victory over Kent in the final of English county cricket's Twenty20 Cup in July.

England have chosen a powerful team that includes explosive Essex batsman Graham Napier, who hammered an astonishing 152 - including a world record 16 sixes - in a Twenty20 game against Sussex in June.

Sri Lanka beat the 2007 All-Stars by 16 runs in last year's pulsating final - their maiden victory in 11 visits to the Sixes.

Tickets for the 2008 Sixes - priced at $780 for adults and $450 for children - will go on sale to the public tomorrow (Friday, October 10).

Fans in Hong Kong will also be able to watch the Sixes on now tv (channels 634 and 678, broadcasting from 08:30 to 17:15 each day) and, in a first for the tournament, commentary will be available in Cantonese.

First held in 1992, 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.

Related Links:

ENDS

a. ENGLAND
b. PAKISTAN
c. SOUTH AFRICA
d. INDIA

e. AUSTRALIA
f. SRI LANKA
g. ALL-STARS
h. HONG KONG

Round robin in each group, with standings determined by points then run rate. The top two teams from each group advance to the Cup Group. The bottom two teams from each group advance to the Plate semi-finals.

The Cup Group is a round robin with standings determined by points then run rate. The top two teams will play in the Cup final. The Plate semi-finals will feature the third place team from the Bradman Group vs the fourth place team from the Sobers Group; and the third place team from the Sobers Group vs the fourth place team from the Bradman Group. The winners will play in the Plate final.

Note: Third and fourth place overall determined by points then run rate after round robin in Cup Group; seventh and eighth place overall determined by run rate after Plate semi-finals.

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
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Fax: +852 3579 5955
Email: niall@tuf.com.hk