Hathurusingha captains Hong Kong sixes squad

Sri Lanka's national cricket selectors have named an eight-member squad for the Hong Kong Sixes Tournament 10-11 November.

The team will be captained by former Test cricketer Chandika Hathurusingha has five other Test players and three promising youngsters.

Eight national teams will be taking part, including the home side, and most of the major Test-playing nations.

The Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) has revived the popular tournament after a four absence because of the late-1990's Asian economic downturn and a failed attempt to set up a rival Super 8 competition.

This years event is sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airlines and Standard Chartered Bank. WSG-Asia will be the tournament organisers in conjunction with the HKCA.

Total prize money for the tournament will be $HK two million (approx $US 256,000), with the winners walking away with $HK 623,000 ($US 80,000). All matches will be played at Kowloon Cricket Club.

Pakistan were the winners on the last occasion this event was held in September 1997. They also won the first such event in 1992, other winners being England (1993 and 1994), South Africa (1995) and West Indies (1996).

Each team in Sixes cricket consists of six players who play two innings of five overs each. Each member of the fielding side except the wicketkeeper bowls one over. Batsmen are forced to retire once they have scored 31.

Squad:

Chandika Hathurusingha, Upul Chandana, Eric Upashantha, Indika de Saram, Jeevantha Kulatunga, Pasan Wanasinghe, Malintha Warnapura and Dulip Liyanage.