Hong Kong, November 9, 2006: Some of the best-known names – and most powerful ball-strikers – in the world game will grace the Kowloon Cricket Club at this weekend's 12th edition of the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes.

While India bid to defend the title they won in such stylish fashion last year, traditional Sixes heavyweights England and Pakistan are desperate to return to their winning ways.

Determined also to add their names to the illustrious list of winners in the world's richest and most prestigious Sixes event, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies have all selected power-packed squads capable of emerging triumphant.

Leading the parade of international stars are Darren Gough and Dominic Cork of England, South African Nicky Boje, West Indian Champions Trophy representatives Carlton Baugh and Marlon Samuels and Pakistanis Imran Nazir and Yasir Arafat.

Add to that the considerable talents of Indian Reetinder Sodhi, last year's Player of the Tournament, and Sri Lankan Saman Jayantha, who won the accolade in 2003, and all the ingredients are in place for another explosive weekend of cricket.

Further spicing proceedings is the fact that India and West Indies will renew rivalries in the opening phase of the tournament.

In a repeat of last year's Cup final, India will face the West Indies in Pool 1 with captain Robin Singh aiming to inspire his troops to a repeat of their memorable four-wicket success in 2005.

Pool 1 will be completed by Australia, who are still waiting to win the coveted Butani Cup and the cheque for US$100,000 that goes to the champions.

For the second year in succession, coach Tim Nielsen will be bringing to Hong Kong an exciting and highly-motivated young team that will be inspired by the opportunity to make names for themselves.

"It's a fascinating draw and the fact that India and the West Indies will play each other on the opening day in a repeat of last year's final will add extra intrigue," said Clive Howard, Chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA).

This year's Sixes will feature nine teams. In addition to the eight teams – Australia, England, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies – who competed last year, the New Zealand Kiwis have been added.

Carrying a total purse of US$280,000, the increase to nine teams means the format will consist of three stages. The first and second stages will be a round-robin format in three pools of three teams with the final stage being on a knockout basis.

With former Test stalwarts Cork and Gough included in their line-up, four-time winners England will be confident of progressing from Pool 2 where they have been drawn against South Africa and New Zealand Kiwis.

Following a training session this morning, David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors and the England manager for the Hong Kong event, said: "The England team has enjoyed a good deal of success in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes over recent years.

"We have not considered players in the England Academy squad or the Ashes squads but have selected a very strong squad of players exceptionally well suited to this format, four of whom have represented England in one-day international cricket this year." 

With the inclusion of Boje in their squad that will be managed by former Proteas coach Ray Jennings, South Africa have themselves delivered a serious statement of intent. Haroon Lorgat, national convenor of selectors, said: "Our expectations are to win this tournament as we have selected a very strong squad."

Meanwhile, in Pool 3, hosts Hong Kong have the unenviable task of facing Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who have been boosted by the return to the squad of Imran Nazir, an integral member of his country's victorious Sixes teams in 2001 and 2002.

Few nations have performed with more consistency in the Sixes in recent years than Sri Lanka, who have reached at least the Cup semi-finals in each of the past three years. But winning the title has so far proved elusive, a fact that Jayantha and his team-mates will be straining to put right.

For Hong Kong, who lost all five of their matches last year, the aims are more modest. Confirming that teenage Ahmed brothers – Nadeem and Irfran – will be showcasing their precocious talents, Krishna Kumar, chairman of the Hong Kong selection committee, said: "We have a well balanced side and we're pleased to provide an opportunity for some of our promising young prospects to test themselves against world-class players.

"It's an exceptionally tough group in which we've been drawn. But we will go out there and try our best. There is nothing for us to lose and we might just pull off a surprise."

As in previous years, games will be played in five-over innings, with each team member, other than the wicket-keeper, bowling one over. The third and fourth place play-off and the final will both be contested over five eight-ball overs.

Said Howard: "The Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes continues to be a unique undertaking with no other event bringing so many top cricketing nations together at one venue.

"We are indebted to the continuing support of our title sponsors, Cathay Pacific Airways and Standard Chartered Bank."

James Barrington, Director Sales and Marketing, Cathay Pacific Airways, said: "As the airline of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific is committed to building Hong Kong into a regional centre for top events. We will continue to bring world-class sporting and cultural attractions to the city that's been our home for 60 years."

Andrew Bester, Co-Head Wholesale Banking, Greater China and Japan, for Standard Chartered said: "An international sporting event of this nature certainly helps raise the profile of Hong Kong and we are proud to be a part of that.

"Significant markets in our international network are represented on the pitch – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, South Africa, Australia and Hong Kong – and in the same way that Standard Chartered is delivering its network for clients in these countries, we believe that this cricket Sixes sponsorship also delivers our network to Hong Kong."

HOW THEY LINE UP

POOL 1: India, Australia, West Indies

POOL 2: England, New Zealand Kiwis, South Africa

POOL 3: Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Hong Kong

PRIZE-MONEY BREAKDOWN

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.