DAY ONE COMMENTARY

[Photos]

by Doug Jones

Hong Kong, October 22: Fantastic 27 degrees with a cool breeze floating across this picturesque ground set amongst the skyscrapers of Tsim Sha Tsui. A small but colourful crowd have witnessed some fantastic hitting and frenetic fielding with the last match going right down to the wire. This afternoon promises a 6s version of the Ashes as champions England take on the young Australian academy of cricket side.

Hong Kong v. Australia

AUSTRALIA won the toss and opened the batting with a run frenzy. Scott Meuleman blasted 34 before retiring followed by Liam Buchanan with 31. At 2 for 70 off 4 overs Hong Kong were looking down the barrel but clawed their way back to have Australia 4 for 92 at the close of their innings.

HONG KONG were quickly in trouble when former Hong Kong skipper Rahul Sharma was clean bowled in the second over. Australian leg spinner Scott Meuleman bowled tight leg spin followed by accurate medium pace from Daniel Christian. Hong Kong kept plugging away at the boundaries but without the frenetic energy of the Australians they were always going to find 92 too much. [Scorecard]

West Indies v. India

WEST INDIES opened with Runako Morton to Sanjay Bangar and Reetinder Sodhi keeping it relatively tight. A suicidal attempt at taking a run on an overthrow led to the first Indian wicket in the second over. Great to see the West Indies back in Hong Kong adding Caribbean flair. Only 9 from Darren Sami's over saw India at 2 for 26 with 18 balls to go. Sodi started to find his stride with consecutive 6s but great West Indian fielding kept a binder on the Indian innings. Butler kept it tight leaving India on 60 for 2 with 1 over to bowl. Competent catching in the deep meant more dot balls and new batsmen trying to hit from the word go, resulting in a very modest 75 for 3 for the Indian side off their allocated overs.

West Indies started with Runako Morton cracking 2 huge 6s and were 0 for 19 off the first over. India's Sunil Joshi started with a wicket 1st ball with a spectacular catch behind, wide and to the keepers right. Sylvester Joseph started his inning with a 6 but then India hit back via senior pro Robin Sing taking a measured catch in the deep. With 2 overs remaining the West Indies were on 41 and needed only a resolute approach to win. Sodi kept the ball well up to the batsmen and the flow of 6s ceased temporarily . 18 runs required from 6 balls – small ground and good batsmen. 10 off the 1st 2 balls and Sylvester Joseph retired after a fine 34. 7 off 3 balls – India looking for a dot ball but its gone well back into the Southern stand with a fine catch taken in the crowd. The West Indians have won with a ball to spare. [Scorecard]

Hong Kong v. England

HONG KONG have struck early sending Robert Croft back first ball and another wicket 2nd ball – fantastic excitement – hat trick on the 3rd ball of an innings but Darren Maddy survives. England are 2 for 6 off their 1st over – there will need to be some acceleration and a good bowling performance for England to stay at the pinnacle of world cricket, remembering there is no Freddy Flintoff here! Dominic Cork intermittently peppered the stands but Hong Kong have tightened the screws. 18 balls to go and England are 29 for 2. The Hong Kong skipper seems to be trying too hard and has become a little erratic handing England some momentum. A super catch to Tabarak Dar and Dominic Cork is out with Chris Read's turn at the crease. Maddy takes the long handle to the bowling – 2 overs to go and England are 4 for 56. England have exploded to 78 and Darren Maddy is retired for 35 with Alex Wharf to see off the last 5 balls. Great recovery by England to be 93 for 3 after Darren Maddy's steadying influence.

HONG KONG have started well in sharp contrast to England and are 0 for 15 after the first over, but those excited in the crowd realise that 94 is still some distance away. Middle of the innings and plenty of bottom hand is needed if Hong Kong are to challenge. Sharp caught and bowled by Robert Croft keeps a tight rein on Hong Kong and although Sharma is on 30 Hong Kong have slowed down with only 36 on the board and 2 overs to go. It is all over bar the shouting as Dominic Cork sustains the pressure and the equation tends to infinity for Hong Kong. Hong Kong require 53 from 6 balls to be bowled by Darren Maddy. Hong Kong have been outclassed by a very tidy England outfit. [Scorecard]

Pakistan v. South Africa

PAKISTAN starts with a 6 1st ball and the large Pakistani contingent in the crowd bursts into activity as they race to 23 without loss after the1st over. A sharp run out has dismissed Moin Khan and with 3 overs gone Pakistan are 34 for 1. Neither team has really taken control. Pakistan look like posting a modest score but it can all fall apart very quickly in this version of the game. A dropped catch has swung it Pakistan's way but only momentarily as Tyron Henderson takes 2 wickets in 2 balls – will this be the 1st hat-trick? No, but another wicked and South Africa finish with a triple wicket maiden and Pakistan have only posted 67.

SOUTH AFRICA after 2 overs are 0 for 12 but a fine knick to dismiss Henderson brings Gerald Dross to the crease. 2 dot balls and RSA are making hard work of this. At the end of the 3rd over, RSA are 21 runs with Arafat to bowl. This one will go down to the wire – 12 balls to go with RSA requiring 31 runs and Riaz Afridi to bowl. Pakistan are doing the better, bowling straight and taking wickets and RSA now need 23 from the last 6 balls. Naveed Latif to bowl the last over. RSA in big trouble now as Gerald Dross is run out off a wide 1st ball with Bodi behind the stumps showing keen athleticism. In the end Pakistan have done it easily and even at this stage are looking like finalists. [Scorecard]

Australia v. Sri Lanka

AUSTRALIA started quickly but lose some momentum with a run out in the 2nd over. Lots of Sri Lankan support in the crowd has lifted their fielding with another great run out and Buchanan is back in the hutch. 2 for 22 with 22 balls remaining. Could have been a 3rd run out but a wayward throw gets Skewes home. 12 balls remaining and Australia are 2 for 46 with Fernando to bowl. Some indiciplined bowling giving Australia wides which they badly need but another rush of blood sees a suicidal runout followed by a great catch at long on and all of a sudden Australia are very much on the back foot. Last over and an absolutely spectacular catch horizontal to the ground sees Australia's 5th wicket go down and the Sri Lankans flinging themselves around the park. The Australian innings closes at 70 for 5 and the Sri Lankans will see that as a very gettable target against the inexperienced Aussies.

Sri Lanka led out by Jayantha and Kandami - 6 6 6 4 6 6 - Talina Kandami retired at the end of the 1st over – just spectacular and Scott Meuleman doesn't know what hit him. Australia reeling and the haemorrhage continues. At the end of the 2nd over Sri Lanka are 46 and the set 71 seems but a stroll in the park. High swirling catch takes the 1st wicket but Sri Lanka look unstoppable. Australia haven't given up with a great run out by the bowler Nathan Reardon but 16 off 10 balls should be routine for these Sri Lankan lads. The Sri Lankans need 10 off the last – great excitement, over throws, near run outs and an unbelievable caught and bowled. That was hit like a rocket. Sri Lanka need 6 off the last ball – how did this happen. It has gone for 4 but Australia have won by 2 runs. The crowd is stunned and the Australians showing a great never-say-die spirit took it home in the end by a very narrow margin.[Scorecard]

Welcome to the afternoon session of the Hong Kong International 6s from KCC.

Pakistan v. West Indies

The first match is under way and Pakistan are batting.

PAKISTAN have opened brightly but wickets are falling steadily. Its 2 for 25 after 15 balls so Pakistan are going to have to get on with it. The West Indies are spectacular fielders. 2 overs to go and Deighton Butler to bowl the next over and he has spread the woodwork with his first ball. His next ball has been dropped in the outfield and the next goes for 6 - how often does that happen in all grades of cricket. The next ball is high and Morton has taken a great catch in the outfield. Tough for Pakistan – 4 for 41 with an over to go. Fine shot through mid-wicket by Kamran Unseeing and 60 is up for Pakistan but it does not look enough. 5 wickets down for Pakistan and 2 balls remain. The West Indies have bowled and fielded well restricting Pakistan to 62 in their 5 overs.

PAKISTAN open with spin through Hafeez and its squirted away to 3rd man by Simmons. The West Indies in their Caribbean red and grey strip warming to their task. At the end of the 1st it is 0 for 14. The West Indies are scoring in 1s which will not be enough. Good bowling this by Hussain for Pakistan and runs have slowed to a trickle. 3 overs to go and 27 on the board for the West Indies. Arafat to bowl and a badly needed 6 for West Indies by Lendl Simmons who retires for 34. 9 balls remain and 16 runs required. Pakistan need a wicket while the West Indies are just beating the fielders to the boundary rope. The last over and West Indies require 7 to win with Naved Latif to bowl. Massive 6 by Morton over long on and 20 rows into the stand. [Scorecard]

Sri Lanka v. England

SRI LANKA have won the toss and are batting with Mascarenhas opening the bowling for England. Handmaid has smashed 26 off that over. Kabir Ali takes over the bowling but the 1st ball has gone straight to long off for 4 and again through extra cover and again dead straight for 4. A single brings a sigh of relief from the England supporters. England come back in the best way possible with leg stump being knocked out of the ground. 3 overs to go and Sri Lanka have posted 39. England's skipper comes on and takes a wicket 1st ball and Gayan Wijekoon comes to the wicket putting the 1st ball he receives into the crowd and the next for 4 through the vacant covers. Croft strikes back with a fine catch in the deep by Mascarenhas and again 2 balls later Perera is on his way back to the pavilion. Croft 3 for 11 off his 6 balls and Sri Lanka are 50 for 2 with 2 overs remaining. Cork has given the batsman too much width and it has been spanked over covers. Last over and Sri Lanka have done well to reach 68. Crofty has dropped a skier – richly appreciated by the Sri Lankan portion of the crowd. Maddy has gone big into the crowd and Sri Lanka are in the high 70s with 2 balls remaining but England have closed it down for Sri Lanka to total 79 off their 5 overs.

England open their account with Kabir Ali and Darren Maddy and the 1st wicket falls after 3 balls for 5 runs. A quieter start by England but a steady 10 off the first over, however they do need 15 an over from now to win. Thushara is bowling and moving the ball laterally in the air and the batsmen are struggling to get any willow on leather. Great over, only 5 off it. The ask is getting bigger by the second for England. Perera is on and keeping it tight. It is so desperate Cork tries the reverse sweep. Croft starts to find the crowd with some big 6s but England now require 50 from the 2 remaining overs. 6s and 4s off consecutive balls but Cork is caught at mid-wicket and the equation has got away from the champions in this game. The game peters out with England replying to Sri Lankans with a disappointing 59. [Scorecard]

South Africa v. India

SOUTH AFRICA won the toss and in this game elected to bat first. India's Sodhi has taken a fine catch and Dross comes to the wicket with the score at 1 for 1. Sanjay Bangar keeping the ball well up to the bat and RSA are scoring in 1s until Dross turns a couple around the corner. Sunil Joshi takes over from the clubhouse end and is immediately whacked over the hospitality tents. Turning the ball sharply, Joshi finds the edge of the bat, stopping any more big 6s. Two overs to go and RSA are 39 for the loss of 1 wicket and need to get a move on but in trying to do so the South African captain falls to a fine catch by Razdan. Adam Bacher comes to the wicket to join Henderson but there are no 6s and good pace variation by Robin Singh makes it difficult for RSA to find any timing. Nickel Chopra to bowl the final over and RSA are limping towards 50. The South African innings closes at 57 for 2 after a good all round exhibition by the fielding Indian team.

SOUTH AFRICA open with Dross - no surprise here. India open with Singh and Bangar at the crease. Singh caught on the rope but the fielder loses his balance and falls backwards over the hoardings and its 6 runs. India none for 21 off 8 balls and cruising with only 25 needed off the last 3 overs. Ahmed Amla for South Africa to see if he can turn his team's fortunes around. San jar Bangar retires with India requiring 16 off 14 deliveries and this game is all over as Sodhi cracks the ball for 6 with 8 balls remaining. [Scorecard]

The next game is the big one for all recent fans of the Ashes clash in England. Australia have won the toss and elected to bat.

Australia v. England

AUSTRALIA'S Scott Meuleman and Liam Buchanan to open the batting with Dimitri Mascarenhas opening the bowling for England. Australia 1 for 12 after 5 balls and Daniel Christian replaces Buchanan. Good low catch by Kabir Ali at deep mid-off. After 2 overs, Australia are 28 for 1 with Robert Croft to bowl the 3rd over. 3 towering 6s by Meuleman during that over but Croft has restricted his over to just 6 runs. Kabir Ali to bowl. Another schoolboy call for 2 by Christian sees a disappointed Meuleman run out well short and a good catch by Croft next ball sends another Australian to the sheds.

One over remains with Darren Maddy to bowl it and Australia 3 for 46. 2 balls left and Australia have dawdled to 50 with dot balls and nicks just wide of the keeper. At the end of their innings Australia have been well restricted to 58 for 4 by England.

Australia take the field with "Shout it out, come on England" blaring from the PA system. If England get their runs in 27 balls they will qualify ahead of Australia. It's a slow start but there is plenty petrol in the England tank and the ball has gone deep into the crowd. 12 off the 1st over and 6s and 4s coming thick and fast and England are 36 off 2 overs. Darren Maddy and Chris Read hitting the ball all around the ground and the Australian bowlers seem to have no answer. Its all over with 2 overs to go and England go through to the cup competition after comprehensively defeating Australia. [Scorecard]

But, it is not finished yet – the Pakistan India clash is up next and the large contingent of supporters from the sub-continent are poised to enjoy the tense rivalry that exist between these 2 great cricketing nations.

Pakistan v. India

PAKISTAN are batting with Hafeez and Khan, with Bangar to open the bowling for India. The drums are beating, bugles blaring and the crowd are vocal as the 1st ball goes for 6 over mid-wicket. Massive cheers for successive 4s and Pakistan are none for 20 at end of the 1st over. Sodhi can't stop the flow as another brace of boundaries go into the scorer's book. After 2 overs Pakistan are 40 without loss. Sunil Joshi to take on the Pakistani batsmen next but the runs keep flowing. The Indian section are looking very serious and the Pakistan crowd are delirious. Nothings going right for India as Bangar drops what he might have taken having made good ground to get to the ball. Hafeez retires for 33 and Latif comes to the crease with 2 overs to go and Pakistan on 55 for none and a very sweetly hit 6 over mid off by Latif first ball. Last over and Pakistan are 70 without loss. Chopra bowling and has kept the 1st 5 balls to singles. Pakistan finish their innings at 75 for 1.

Bangar and Sodhi make their way to the crease. Hafeez bowling, 10 off the 1st 2 balls. The crowd are very excited and India are 0 for 24 after the 1st over. Hussain takes over the bowling from the clubhouse end and the 1st ball is spanked through the covers for 4. The next however has the batsman up on his toes and Hafeez finishes off his over with a full toss outside off stump which goes down to the boundary and the score moves on to 35 without loss. India have 17 balls to get 35 as their score moves along to 41. Moin Khan readjusts the field as Tahir Khan puts a lot of work on the ball. Bangar retires and Robin Singh comes to the crease. Afridi to bowl from the clubhouse and a tight over needed by Pakistan otherwise this is going to be very close. Bad throw and run out chance missed with India progressing to 57 but they need a 6 or 2. An over to go and 14 runs needed off 6 balls . 1st ball big, big 6, 2nd ball wide – 6 runs off 4 balls but its all over as Sodhi hits a 6 that just clears the rope and India go into the cup competition. Well that is a shock and a sensational win by India. [Scorecard]

Well that is it on day 1 of the Hong Kong International 6s. It has been a fantastic day with spectacular catches, huge hitting and some great individual performances. Hope you join us tomorrow for the climax of this unique competition.