Explosive Napier poised to light up Sixes

	Big-hitting Graham Napier will spearhead England's challenge at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on 8-9 November, 2008. © Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Big-hitting Graham Napier can be expected to provide the fireworks when ambitious England attempt to reclaim the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes title next month.

The explosive Essex batsman hammered an astonishing 152 - including a world record 16 sixes - in a Twenty20 game against Sussex in June.

Now he has been named in a powerful England squad for the Sixes, to be held at Kowloon Cricket Club on 8-9 November.

The England selectors have chosen an exciting line-up packed with one-day specialists, including captain Dimitri Mascarenhas.

"Having played in last year's Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, I know it is a unique tournament with a fantastic festival atmosphere," said Mascarenhas.

"It is a lot of fun but at the same time very competitive and I'm looking forward to the challenge of leading England this year.

"The selectors have picked a strong squad and we will be going all out to lift the trophy."

Four of the seven-man squad have one day international experience - Mascarenhas, Darren Maddy, Tim Bresnan and Ed Joyce, who played for England at last year's World Cup in the Caribbean.

Another member of the squad, Jonathan Trott, has played for England in Twenty20 matches.

But many eyes will be on 28-year-old Napier after he rewrote the English Twenty20 record books with his astonishing innings at Chelmsford.

Batting at No.3 for Essex, he blasted his century off 44 balls, but was only just getting warmed up. His remaining 52 runs took just 14 deliveries, with 30 coming from the final over of the innings.

Napier's 16 sixes broke New Zealander Brendon McCullum's record of 13 that was set during his 158 in the opening match of the Indian Premier League earlier this year.

Although Napier didn't quite have enough time to break McCullum's score, he comfortably beat Cameron White's 141 for Somerset which was the previous best in the English Twenty20 Cup.

"Graham Napier is one of the most explosive hitters in world cricket and it is fantastic that Hong Kong fans will have the chance to watch him in action," said Sixes tournament director Mark Burns.

"England have made a statement of intent by naming such a powerful squad and they will clearly be among the favourites for the trophy."

England have won the Sixes four times, with their last success coming in 2004.

They will be joined in the 2008 tournament by defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, hosts Hong Kong and the crowd-pleasing All-Stars.

Test greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Justin Langer and Stephen Fleming have already been confirmed in the All-Stars squad.

West Indian Chanderpaul is holder of both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Wisden Cricketer of the Year titles and also tops the current ICC batting rankings.

New Zealander Fleming holds the world record for the most one day international appearances as captain, having led the Kiwis 218 times in his total of 280 games.

"We now have the world record holding sixes hitter, the current world player of the year and the world record holding one day international captain confirmed, which highlights the quality of this year's Sixes," said Burns.

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.

The draw for this year's tournament will be held next Thursday, October 9, when details of ticket sales will also be announced.

First held in 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes continues to be 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.

Tournament Website: www.hksixes.com

ENDS

Released on behalf of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes by Two Up Front.

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Niall Donnelly
Two Up Front
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