In-form Chanderpaul signs up for Sixes

	Shivnarine Chanderpaul, currently the second-highest ranked batsman in the world, will be appearing in the 2008 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes. © Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be showcasing his brilliant batting skills at this year's Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

The West Indies great - currently the second-highest ranked batsman in the world and reigning Wisden Cricketer of the Year - will appear for the All-Stars at Kowloon Cricket Club on November 8-9.

"I'm delighted to be taking part in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes and I'm looking forward to what promises to be another fantastic weekend," said Chanderpaul, 33.

"The event has built up a deserved reputation as the best sixes tournament in the world, one that is great fun for spectators and players alike, so it will be a pleasure to be involved.

"The competition promises to be tough, but the All Stars will be doing their very best to put on a great show and, hopefully, carry off the trophy."

Guyana-born Chanderpaul, 33, has played 112 tests, scoring 19 hundreds and 49 fifties.

He has moved up to second in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) test rankings for batsmen - behind Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara - following his remarkable displays in the West Indies' recent home series against Australia.

The left-hander scored 442 runs from six innings, including two centuries and three fifties, to be named player of the series despite his team losing 2-0.

Chanderpaul has also compiled eight centuries and 52 fifties in 235 one-day internationals.

"It's great news for the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes that a player of Shivnarine Chanderpaul's stature is taking part," said tournament director Mark Burns.

"He's a world class cricketer at the very top of his game and I'm sure Hong Kong fans are going to enjoy seeing him in action."

Chanderpaul will play alongside former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming in the All-Stars line-up.

The All-Stars will join nine representative international teams - Australia, New Zealand, England, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and hosts Hong Kong.

Sixes organisers, meanwhile, have decided against including Australia's Damien Martyn and Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq in this year's All-Stars team.

"Both players are contracted to the unofficial Indian Cricket League and we have decided out of respect for the Indian authorities not to involve them in the Sixes," explained Burns.

Planning for the 2008 Sixes is proceeding smoothly with organisers recently announcing the biggest TV deal in the tournament's history.

An estimated 100 million fans around the world will be able to watch the Sixes live thanks to a three-year agreement with Dubai-based Taj TV, which will show the tournament on its Ten Sports outlet.

Related Link:

Player Profile: Shivnarine Chanderpaul

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.

Profits from the tournament are ploughed directly back into cricket development in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong Cricket Association.

ENDS

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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Email: niall@tuf.com.hk