Langer joins list of star names at Sixes

	Australian great Justin Langer will appear for the All-Stars at the 2008 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes. © Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Master batsman Justin Langer will be parading his world class skills at this year's Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

The Australian legend is the latest big name to sign up for the showpiece at the Kowloon Cricket Club from November 8-9.

Langer, 37, will join West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming in the All-Stars team that will headline the tournament.

"I'm delighted to be taking part in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes and I'm looking forward to what promises to be an exciting and competitive weekend at the Kowloon Cricket Club," said Langer.

"Having played many times against Shivnarine and Stephen during my years in test cricket, I know first-hand what great players they are and it will be a pleasure to team up with them in the All-Stars.

"We'll certainly be going all-out to win the tournament."

Langer retired from test cricket last year after a brilliant 14-year career during which he was recognised as one of the world's premier opening batsmen.

The left-hander played 105 tests, amassing 23 centuries at an average of 45.27, and was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2001.

He continues to play for Somerset in the English County Championship and will also appear for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League next year.

"Justin is one of the true greats of the modern game and we are very pleased he has agreed to play in the Sixes," said tournament director Mark Burns.

"With three top names confirmed, the All-Stars team is taking shape and we expect to sign up more household names in the coming weeks."

Chanderpaul, 34, was recently named Wisden Cricketer of the Year and is currently the highest ranked batsman in the world.

The Guyana-born ace has played 112 tests, scoring 19 hundreds and 49 fifties.

Fleming, 35, retired from international cricket earlier this year after a stellar 14-year career in which he played 111 tests.

Burns also revealed this year's tournament would involve an eight-team format, with the All-Stars joining six test-playing nations and hosts Hong Kong in the line-up.

"We have featured 10 teams in the past, but the eight-team format is more competitive and appeals more to players and fans alike," said Burns.

"It means more matches - 22 as opposed to 21 last year - and more cricket for each team, which is what the players want. It also gives spectators more chance to see their favourite teams.

"In addition, the new format will also be easier to follow and will make each match more meaningful."

The tournament is being organised and promoted by the Hong Kong Cricket Association's commercial arm, China Cricket International Limited.

First held in 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes continues to be fully sanctioned by the International Cricket Council 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.

The HKCA's proceeds from the tournament will be ploughed directly back into cricket development in Hong Kong.

Related Links:

Player Profile: Justin Langer

Tournament Website: www.hksixes.com

ENDS

Released on behalf of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes by Two Up Front.

For further information, please contact:

Niall Donnelly
Two Up Front
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Email: niall@tuf.com.hk