Winning start for England as Hong Kong impress

Defending Hong Kong Cricket Sixes champions England made a winning start to the 2009 edition of the competition at Kowloon Cricket Club on Saturday morning when they survived a late fight back to down Pakistan by three runs.

Chris Read's team looked to be in control after hitting 92 runs without loss in their allotted five overs with Peter Trego and Darren Stevens both retiring not out having scored 35 and 33 respectively.

But, with Pakistan scoring 38 runs off Graham Napier's penultimate over, the result hung in the balance right to the end.

However, a fine final over by Trego - who claimed the wicket of Sohail Khan while only conceding 11 runs - guaranteed a winning start for the holders.

Meanwhile, Irfan Ahmad was the star for Hong Kong with both the bat and ball in the opening two games as the hosts made an early impression.

The 19-year-old scored 33 unbeaten runs in Hong Kong's five wicket win over South Africa before claiming the wicket of Shanan Stewart when his first ball against New Zealand zipped through the batsman's defences.

He then shone with the bat against the Kiwis, hitting four sixes before retiring unbeaten once again, this time on 32 runs as Hong Kong successfully chased down a total of 92 to notch up their second win in a row.

That victory gave the home side a great chance of qualifying for Sunday's semifinals as one of the two qualifiers from the Southern hemisphere group.

South Africa bounced back from the defeat at the hands of Hong Kong to beat Australia in impressive fashion, successfully completing a 110-run chase to win by four wickets and keep their hopes of a place in the next round alive.

In the Northern hemisphere group, India kicked off their campaign with a win by six runs against Sri Lanka.

Manish Pandey and Jagadeesh Arunkumar both retired unbeaten on 31 and 36 runs respectively before captain Anil Kumble closed out the innings to leave the Sri Lankans chasing 89 runs to win.

Sri Lanka, though, fell just short with captain Jeewatha Kulathunga bowled out without scoring when facing only his second ball.

- ENDS -

About the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes
In 2009, the Sixes has been selected as an ICC Centenary Celebration World Event and will feature a special ceremony to honour 100 years of the International Cricket Council and the Spirit of Cricket.

Six-a-side cricket is the quickest, most fun-filled version of the game - a feast of world-class players, thrilling matches and big hits.

First played in 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is the longest-running and highest-profile Sixes tournament in the world. It offers two days of fast and furious action in a festival atmosphere - eight international teams, 45-minute clashes and global television coverage.

Stars who have taken part include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Javed Miandad, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, Adam Gilchrist, Wasim Akram, MS Dhoni and Sanath Jayasuriya.

The Sixes won the prestigious 2007 ICC Award for Best Cricket Promotional and Marketing Award.

England recorded a record fifth Sixes title last year after a stunning final in which they finished tied with Australia on 121 runs. When Australian batsman Stephen O'Keefe was run out attempting a second run from the final delivery that would have given his team victory, England were confirmed victors as they had lost fewer wickets (three wickets to one).

For further information, please contact:
Damien McDowell
T: +852 2815-9876
M: +852 9409-5811
E: dmcdowell@brand-rapport.com

Erica Liu
T: +852 2815-9871
M: +852 9186-6877
E: eliu@brand-rapport.com