YOUTHFUL AUSTRALIANS BID TO BREAK TITLE DUCK IN CATHAY PACIFIC/STANDARD CHARTERED HONG KONG CRICKET SIXES
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| Tim Nielsen © Getty Images. |
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Hong Kong, November 3: Tim Nielsen, the man tipped to become the next Australian coach, will aim to mastermind a first Hong Kong triumph for his country at next weekend's Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered International Cricket Sixes.
While Ricky Ponting's men are targeting victory in the Champions Trophy final in India before attempting to regain the Ashes, Nielsen is setting his sights on adding to Australia's bulging cricketing trophy cabinet one of the few titles to have eluded their grasp.
Despite their dominance of international cricket over the past decade, Australia have yet to win any silverware in Hong Kong.
Their best showing came in 1994 when they were beaten by England in the Cup final – a performance that Nielsen will be looking to improve upon this year in the world's richest and most prestigious Sixes tournament.
After spending three years as assistant coach to John Buchanan with the Australian team, Nielsen assumed the role of head coach at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane in 2005. An accomplished wicket-keeper and batsman who made more than 100 first-class appearances for South Australia, many believe that Nielsen is in poll position to replace Buchanan as Australian coach after next year's World Cup.
More immediately, Nielsen will, for the second year in succession, be bringing to Hong Kong an exciting and highly-motivated young team that will be inspired by the opportunity to make names for themselves.
Nielsen apart, the eldest members of the Australian squad are the talented Western Australian duo of Shawn Gillies and Luke Ronchi, both aged 25.
Joining them will be 24-year-old Queenslander Chris Simpson, 22-year-old Australian Institute of Sport graduate Matthew Gale, 21-year-old John Hastings, winner of the Cricket Australia Rexona Scholarship last year, and teenager Matthew Wade, a member of the Australian team at this year's Under-19 World Cup.
Born in New Zealand, Ronchi has established himself as his state's wicket-keeper while Adam Gilchrist is on Australian duties. As well as being outstanding behind the stumps, Ronchi's explosive batting was evident when he crashed 67 from 24 balls in the first Twenty20 game in Australia.
For this year's Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes, Australia have been drawn in Pool 1, alongside defending champions India and last year's runners-up West Indies.
Clive Howard, Chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA), said: "We were delighted to welcome Australia back to the Sixes last year after a two-year absence.
"Although they're sending a young side, you can be sure that their players will be determined to make the most of the opportunity to impress Tim Nielsen and spring some upsets.”
In this year's nine-nation event, that carries a first prize of US$100,000 and total prize-money of US$280,000, Pool 2 consists of England, New Zealand and South Africa, while Pool 3 is made up of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Hong Kong.
Among the big-name players who will be showcasing their explosive talents at the Kowloon Cricket Club are South Africans Nicky Boje and Lance Klusener, ex-England Test stars Darren Gough and Dominic Cork, West Indians Carlton Baugh and Marlon Samuels and Pakistanis Imran Nazir and Yasir Arafat.
Australia Squad: Matthew Gale; Shawn Gillies; John Hastings; Tim Nielsen (player-coach); Luke Ronchi; Chris Simpson; Matthew Wade.
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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. |
