Klusener named in Hong Kong Sixes squad

Lance Klusener, the former South African allrounder, has been named in a seven-man squad for next month's Hong Kong Sixes tournament. The side will be captained by Nicky Boje, the Eagles' left-arm spinner, and coached by Ray Jennings, the former national coach.

Klusener, 35, played the last of his 171 one-day internationals in England in 2004, but has since represented the Dolphins on the domestic circuit. Haroon Lorgat, the national convenor of selectors, announced the squad yesterday. "Our expectations are to win this tournament as we have selected a very strong squad," he said.

The Eagles and the Dolphins are the only teams to have two players represented in the squad. The other three players represent the Titans, Cape Cobras and the Highveld Lions.

With the tournament scheduled at the same time as the Limited Overs MTN Domestic Championship semi-finals and finals, there has been some concern expressed by some of the players that they would consider withdrawing from the side in order to play for their respective franchise teams. All the squad members represent franchises that should feature prominently in the semi-finals with the Eagles having the most to lose, with two of their key men Boje and Johan van der Wath, selected in the squad. The Dolphins too, with Klusener and Imraan Khan selected, may be reluctant to release their players. One wonders what the Cricket South Africa's response would be if most of the players withdraw.

South Africa's Hong Kong Sixes squad: Nicky Boje (capt, Eagles), Imraan Khan (Nashua Dolphins), Lance Klusener (Nashua Dolphins), Albie Morkel (Nashua Titans), Justin Ontong (Highveld Lions),Thami Tsolekile (Nashua Cape Cobras), Johan van der Wath (Eagles).