HAT-TRICK HERO PERERA RETURNS FOR SRI LANKA IN 2005 CATHAY PACIFIC/STANDARD CHARTERED HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL SIXES

Dilruwan Perera © Cricinfo

Hong Kong, October 17: Dilruwan Perera, who delivered the bowling performance of 2004 with a semi-final hat-trick against Pakistan, will be aiming to weave more magic at the 2005 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes.

In one of the most dramatic overs in Sixes history, Perera claimed three wickets for nine runs to eliminate the four-time champions from Pakistan. Instead, it was Sri Lanka who progressed to a Cup final showdown against England.

Although they were unable to prevent England retaining their title, the Sri Lankans won the hearts of the crowds at the Kowloon Cricket Club, where the 11th edition of the world's most prestigious Sixes event will take place on October 22-23.

And spearheading their attempts to go one better this time will be 23-year-old off-spinner Perera, whose match-winning performance against Pakistan was only the second time there had been a hat-trick in the tournament's history.

Two other members of last year's team are also returning to Hong Kong – Hasantha Fernando, who captained the side, and all-rounder Gayan Wijekoon.

Sri Lanka will be further boosted by the reappearance of Saman Jayantha. Player of the Tournament in 2003, Jayantha was unable to make the trip last year. But the Sri Lanka one-day international representative will be back this weekend when he will captain the side.

Completing the squad are Test wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene, middle-order batsman Thilina Kandamby and Thilan Thushara.

Last year was the second time that England had defeated Sri Lanka in the Cup final, the first victory coming at the 1993 tournament when marquee names such as Graham Gooch, Phil DeFreitas, Sanath Jayasuria and Arjuna Ranatunga delighted the crowd.

Sri Lanka will have an early chance of avenging those final reversals as they have been drawn to face defending champions England in Pool 1, which also features hosts Hong Kong and Australia.

Meanwhile, Pool 2 comprises 1995 champions South Africa, four-time winners Pakistan, India and the West Indies.

Clive Howard, Chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA), said: "Sri Lanka have always adopted a positive, attacking approach to the Sixes. And, as they showed again last year, they are capable of beating any other team.

"They're bringing another strong and experienced squad this time and I'm sure they'll be confident of qualifying for the Cup competition this year … and winning their way through to the final for the second year in succession."

The all-action short form version of the game has been thrilling the SAR crowds since its inception in 1992 and HKCA officials are confident that this year will be the best yet.

Tickets for the 2005 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes are selling quickly. Two-day ticket prices have been set at HK$300 for adults and HK$150 for children aged 15 and under.

Games are played in five-over innings, with each team member, other than the wicketkeeper, bowling one over. The eight competing teams are split into two groups of four and will play each other on a round-robin basis on day one.

The top two teams in each pool will progress to the Cup competition knockout stages, while the bottom two teams in each of the pools will compete for the Plate.

SRI LANKA SQUAD: Saman Jayantha, Hasantha Fernando, Dilruwan Perera, Gayan Wijekoon, Prasanna Jayawardene, Thilina Kandamby, Thilan Thushara.

The 2005 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes will take place at Kowloon Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Kowloon on October 22-23. Two-day passes cost HK$300 for adults and HK$150 for children aged 15 and under, 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).

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