MEDIA
RELEASE
INDIAN STARS SET TO SHINE AT 2003 CATHAY PACIFIC/STANDARD CHARTERED
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SIXES
HONG KONG, October 28:
Pace ace Javagal Srinath will spearhead India's bid
for a breakthrough victory in the Cathay Pacific/Standard
Chartered
Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes this weekend (November
1-2).
With more than 230 Test wickets to his name,
Srinath is widely regarded as one of the fastest bowlers his
country has produced
and his appearance at the Kowloon Cricket Club is certain
to boost Indian prospects.
Although India are
one of only three countries to have been represented at all
nine editions of the world's premier Sixes event,
they have not yet succeeded in having their name inscribed
on the Butani Trophy that is awarded to the winners of the
Cup competition.
This year, though, they look well set to mount
a serious challenge for the US$80,000 first prize.
In addition to Srinath, the high-profile Indian
squad includes a wealth of experience in the shape of Vinod Kambli,
a veteran
of 104 One-Day Internationals. Kambli has been nominated
as captain of the team.
They will be supported
four men who performed for their country in last year's Sixes when India defeated South Africa to
claim third place in the Cup – talented spinner Nikhil
Chopra, left-handed batsmen Rohan Gavaskar and Hrishikesh
Kanitkar, and hard-hitting right-hander Reetinder Sodhi.
Opening batsman Akash Chopra, who made an
encouraging start to his Test career with steady innings in each
of his four
visits
to the crease against New Zealand in the past three weeks,
was due to complete the squad but has been forced to withdraw
through
injury. The final member of the team will be confirmed in
the next 48hours.
Based on their performances at the past two
Sixes, India have been seeded fourth this year, behind favourites
Pakistan,
England
and South Africa.
Drawn in Pool 1, they will open their 2003
campaign against hosts Hong Kong before squaring up to New Zealand.
The highlight of day
one (Saturday, November 1), though, is likely to come in mid-afternoon
when India tackle
arch-rivals
Pakistan
in an intriguing match-up that is certain to stir the emotions – and
determine the final Pool 1 standings.
The top two teams from Pool 1 will qualify
for the competition knockout stages along with the top two from
Pool 2, which
comprises England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and tournament
debutants Kenya.
The bottom two teams in each of the pools compete for the
Plate.
Two-day ticket prices for the 2003 Cathay
Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes
have been
set at HK$380
for adults and HK$200 for children under the age of 15.
Games are played in five-over innings, with
each team member, other than the wicket-keeper, bowling one over.
India squad: Nikhil Chopra, Rohan Gavaskar,
Vinod Kambli (captain), Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Reetinder Sodhi,
Javagal
Srinath.
The 2003 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered
Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes will take place at Kowloon
Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Kowloon on November 1-2. Two-day
passes cost HK$380 for adults and HK$200 for children under 15,
and are on sale through Cityline
(www.cityline.com.hk)
as well as at the following outlets:
- Hong Kong Cricket Club
(137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Happy Valley, 2574 6266);
- Kowloon Cricket Club (10
Cox's Road, Jordan,
2367 4141);
- Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar
(Prince's Building, Central 2810 6988);
- Hong Kong Cricket Association (Room 1019 Sports House, 1
Stadium Path, So Kon Po,
2504 8102).
Provided by CCIL/Hong Kong Cricket Association. For further
information, please contact Danny Lai at (852) 2504-8102.
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