DROS SEEKS SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS AT CATHAY PACIFIC/STANDARD CHARTERED HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SIXES

Hong Kong, October 27: Powerful all-rounder Gerald Dros will lead a hungry, young South African team in next month's Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes.

In a squad comprising three players aged 22 or under, Dros is the only over-30 member of the line-up that will take to the Kowloon Cricket Club field on November 6-7 in the world's premier Sixes tournament.

Although Dros was an integral part of the South African team that won Sixes silverware in 2003, he hopes this year to lift the Cup trophy rather than the Plate.

Desperately unfortunate not to qualify for the Cup competition last year after finishing level on points with Sri Lanka and eventual champions England (who they defeated) in Pool 2, but missing out because of an inferior run rate, Dros will want to put the record straight this time.

Helping him in his bid will be fellow all-rounders Justin Kemp, Imraan Khan, Enoch Nkwe and Goolam Bodi as well as pacemen Brent Kops and Johan van der Wath.

Dros will certainly lead from the front, as he did last year when crashing an unbeaten 54 in the Plate semi-final success over Hong Kong. He also had the distinction of twice taking three wickets in an over, including a match-winning spell in the Plate final against India.

South Africa have been drawn in Pool 2 and will commence their programme against the United Arab Emirates. That will be followed by a heavyweight encounter with Pakistan before completing their opening-day programme against India.

In Pool 1, defending champions and top seeds England will tackle Kenya, Sri Lanka and hosts Hong Kong.

The top two teams in each pool will progress to the Cup competition on the second day (November 7), while the bottom two in the pools will compete in the Plate category.

Mike Walsh, chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association, predicted that South Africa would be among the favourites for the title and the US$80,000 first prize. "Gerald Dros and Justin Kemp are outstanding all-rounders who have played in the Sixes before and know what is required.

"I'm sure they will inspire the younger players and I expect South Africa to mount a serious challenge."

Meanwhile, Robert Croft, last year's Player of the Final, has withdrawn from the England team that will defend their title. England's most-capped Welshman was named in the original seven-man squad, but has subsequently pulled out to be with his ailing mother. His place in the line-up will be taken by Chris Tremlett, the Hampshire fast bowler who was named in England's preliminary squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.

Two-day tickets for the 2004 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes are currently available. Prices have been set at HK$450 for adults and HK$200 for children under the age of 15.

The 2004 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes will take place at Kowloon Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Kowloon on November 6-7. Two-day passes cost HK$450 for adults and HK$200 for children under 15, and are on sale through Cityline at (www.cityline.com) 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). Further ticket information is available at the Hong Kong Cricket Association websitewww.hkca.cricket.org

Provided by the Hong Kong Cricket Association. For further information, please contact Danny Lai at (852) 2504-8101.