Sylvester Joseph will lead a West Indies team that includes five players with test match experience © AFP

Hong Kong, October 24: Sylvester Joseph will be banking on putting to good use the knowledge he gained last year when he leads the West Indies' bid for glory at next month's Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes.

Making their first appearance in the tournament since 1997, the West Indies confounded the odds last year by beating tournament favourites England en route to reaching the Cup final.

And Antiguan-born Joseph has confirmed that he'll lead his country in Hong Kong again on November 11-12 as they attempt to go one better than in 2005 and claim the coveted title on the 10th anniversary of their only previous Sixes success.

Joining Joseph at the Kowloon Cricket Club will be four other players with Test match experience – batsman/wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh, left-hand batsman Narsingh Deonarine, and all-rounders Darren Sammy and Dwayne Smith.

Completing the West Indian line-up will be Easuan Crandon, one of the country's brightest fast-bowling prospects, and all-rounder Tonito Willett.

Deonarine and Sammy will both be making their second successive appearances in the world's most prestigious Sixes event, while much will also be expected of 23-year-old Smith, a centurion on his Test debut against South Africa in 2003.

Baugh, who has five Test caps and has represented his country in 18 one-day internationals, averages almost 38 in the first-class game and his swashbuckling approach is certain to be a hit with the spectators at the Kowloon Cricket Club. 

For this year's Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes, West Indies have been drawn in Pool 1, alongside Australia and India.

Based on the efforts of his team last year, Joseph will be confident of finishing among the top two in the Pool and progressing to the next stage.

Referring to last year's final defeat to India, Joseph said: "It was disappointing to lose, but we played some good cricket and fought really well. In the end, we didn't manage to pull it off. But we understand that this is a game that we are still working out."

One of five nations to have won the Hong Kong Sixes, the West Indies were ever-present during the first six editions of the tournament, winning the Plate in 1994 and beating India to capture the Cup in 1996.

Among the superstars who have represented the West Indies in the Sixes are Gordon Greenidge, Carl Hooper, Desmond Haynes, Brian Lara, Viv Richards, Richie Richardson and Courtney Walsh.

Clive Howard, Chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA), said: "We were delighted to welcome the West Indies back to the Sixes last year when they proved that they are a potent force.

"With Sylvester Joseph returning as captain and five of their players having Test experience they'll be an exciting team to watch this year."

In this year's nine-nation event, Pool 2 consists of England, New Zealand and South Africa, while Pool 3 is made up of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Hong Kong.

With arguably the strongest playing line-up in the history of the Sixes, tickets for the 2006 event, that carries total prize-money of US$280,000, are in high demand. For ticket information, visit www.hksixes.com.

West Indies Squad: Carlton Baugh; Easuan Crandon; Narsingh Deonarine; Sylvester Jospeh (captain); Darren Sammy; Dwayne Smith; Tonito Willett.

Related Link:

• West Indies 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.