Nicky Boje will lead South Africa's challenge at the 2006 Cathay Pacific / Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes © AllSport UK Ltd

Hong Kong, October 20: South Africa have delivered a serious statement of intent with the inclusion of Nicky Boje and Lance Klusener in their squad for next month's Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes.

Having failed to progress to the Cup competition in each of the past three years, the South Africa selectors have turned to left-arm spinner Boje and big-hitting batsman Klusener to bring about a reversal in their fortunes at the Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC) on November 11-12.

Announcing the South Africa team for the 12th edition of the world's richest and most prestigious Sixes tournament, Haroon Lorgat, national convenor of selectors, said: "Our expectations are to win this tournament as we have selected a very strong squad."

Following the below-par performances in recent years, South Africa have not retained any of the players from last year's squad and have appointed former Proteas coach Ray Jennings to oversee the team.

While much of the attention and expectation this year will focus on Boje and Klusener, all-rounders Imraan Khan, Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong and Johan van der Wath and wicket-keeper Thami Tsolekile ensure that the class of 2006 has strength in all areas.

After a couple of lean seasons, Klusener has made a welcome return to form this year, starring for Northamptonshire in the English County Championship, especially with the bat.

This will be the first time the left-hander, who sprang to international prominence at the 1999 World Cup with some remarkable ball-striking, has worn the colours of South Africa since he represented them against Sri Lanka in 2004.

On his only previous appearance in the Sixes in 2002, Klusener was outstanding, amassing 100 runs and being dismissed just once as South Africa reached the third-place play-off in the Cup.

Apart from missing out on the inaugural Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes in 1992, South Africa have been ever-present in the competition.

To date, however, their only Cup success came in 1995 when they defeated England in the final. They reached the final again in 2001, only to lose out to a Wasim Akram-inspired Pakistan team.

This year, a powerful England team will be their second opponents in Pool 2, which also includes New Zealand.

While Khan, Ontong and van der Wath have all previously played in the Hong Kong Sixes, it will be a new experience for Boje, a surprise omission from South Africa's Champions Trophy squad.

Clive Howard, Chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA), said: "It's marvellous that we'll be able to see players of the calibre of Lance Klusener and Nicky Boje in the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes.

"This is, without doubt, the strongest team that South Africa have entered for many years and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them go all the way to the final."

In this year's nine-nation event, Pool 1 consists of defending champions India, Australia and West Indies while Pool 3 is made up of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Hong Kong.

South Africa Squad: Nicky Boje (captain); Imraan  Khan; Lance  Klusener; Albie Morkel; Justin Ontong; Thami  Tsolekile; Johan van der Wath. Coach: Ray Jennings.

Related Link:

• South Africa Team Page

The 2006 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes will take place at Kowloon Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Kowloon on November 11-12. Special tickets are priced at HK$550 and include reserved seating, a lunch box for both days of the event and an Official Programme. Two-day passes cost HK$300 for adults and HK$150 for children aged 14 and under, went on sale from Monday, October 9 at the following outlets: Hong Kong Cricket Association (Tel: 2504-8102); Kowloon Cricket Club (10 Cox's Road, Jordan, 2367-4141); Hong Kong Cricket Club (137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Happy Valley, 2574-6266); Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Prince's Building, Central 2810-6988); The Viceroy (Wanchai 2827-7777); Gaylord Restaurant (Tsim Sha Tsui 2376-1001) and Bayside Brasserie (Stanley 2899-0818) . For further inquiries please visit www.hksixes.com or call 2504-8103.

Provided by the Hong Kong Cricket Association. For further information, please contact Charles Lau or Novan Tang at (852) 2504-8101.