Hong Kong appoint Moles as coach for ICC Trophy bid

Former Warwickshire and Griqualand West all-rounder, Andy Moles, will coach the Hong Kong national team during their forthcoming ICC Trophy campaign in Toronto, Canada.

Moles, who coached Orange Free State during the 2000-2001 South African domestic provincial season, will arrive in Hong Kong in mid-May.

Hong Kong Cricket Association Chief Executive, Mark Burns, said the veteran of 230 first-class matches was regarded positively by sources with good credentials.

"We received a number of views from people such as Mike Gatting and Allan Lamb and they recommend him very highly," said Burns.

He indicated it was unlikely that Moles' tenure as Hong Kong mentor would differ substantially from his predecessor, Adam Hollioake, who coached Hong Kong during their run to the final of the Asian Cricket Council Trophy last November.

"It is thought they may have a similar style and way of working with people," said Burns.

Moles' appointment as Hong Kong coach is for the ICC Trophy only.

Hollioake has playing commitments with Surrey for the duration of the tournament, which acts as a qualifying tournament for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Hong Kong are placed in Group B of the First Division of the Trophy, along with Ireland, Bermuda, the United States, Papua New Guinea and third-ranked Denmark, who are Hong Kong's first opponents on Friday, June 29.