Hong Kong Women's Cricket Team Selected for World Cup Qualifying Series vs Pakistan

HKCA Selector's today announced the 14 cricketers picked to represent the territory against Pakistan next month (15-22 September) in Lahore, Pakistan, in a 3 ODI match qualifying series for the Women's Cricket World Cup 2009.

The Hong Kong Touring Party

• Neisha Pratt (Captain)
• Renee Montgomery (Vice Captain)
• Chan Sau Ha
• Betty Chan
• Sarah Eames
• Natasha Miles
• Keenu Gill
• Sam McIlwraith
• Julie Atkinson
• Godiva Li
• Ishitaa Gidwani
• Angela Kwan
• Shaminda Wickramasinghe
• Kylie Knott
• Team Coach - Nasir Hameed
• Team Manager - Mark Burns

The 50 over One Day International matches will be played under the auspices of the Asian Cricket Council in Lahore on 17, 19 & 21 September.

This is the first ever international cricket competition undertaken by the newly formed Hong Kong women's cricket team, and gives Hong Kong cricket another shot at reaching a World Cup following the success of HK men's national team in the recent ACC Trophy in Malaysia.

If Hong Kong triumph in Pakistan then a berth in the Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Ireland in 2007 beckons. Qualifiers from that tournament will go on to the Women's World Cup in 2009.

The Hong Kong team is led by the former Northern Districts state player Neisha Pratt who posted a remarkable batting average of 586 in last season's HKCA Women's Cricket League.

"The girls have put in a great deal of hard work over the summer," said Ms Pratt. "For sure we'll be the underdogs against an established Test country like Pakistan."

"But the opportunity to qualify for a World Cup doesn't come around every day and we'll be giving it our best shot," Ms Pratt continued.

The Hong Kong squad also includes Natasha Miles who caused a stir last season when she took 3 wickets in a men's Sunday Cup match for HKCC Optimists and also finished the season with 15 wickets in the men's Saturday League.

Team preparations have benefited from the support of training facilities at Kowloon Cricket Club and The Hong Kong Cricket Club and sponsorship from Strawberrynet.com and Imran Sports International.

This press release is issued by the Hong Kong Cricket Association. For further information, please contact Charles Lau, HKCA General Manager, at 2504-8101 or email hkca@hkabc.net or see HKCA website www.hkca.cricket.org.