PRESS RELEASE
O'Brien to lead Irish charge at KARP Group Hong Kong Cricket Sixes
Cricket world's leading Associate Member fields strong side for Sixes
 [Hong Kong, September 26, 2011]: Kevin O'Brien, the man who holds the record for the fastest World Cup century, against England at this year's tournament in India, will lead a powerful Ireland team for the Karp Group Hong Kong Sixes at the Kowloon Cricket Club next month.
O'Brien, who stunned England with a blistering century off just 50 balls which resulted in Ireland successfully chasing down a total of 328, will captain a team that includes five of his World Cup teammates as the leading international cricket associate member makes its debut in Hong Kong.
O'Brien's older brother Niall will keep wicket, while opening batsman Paul Stirling is another who looks perfectly suited to Sixes, having smashed an explosive century off just 72 balls which guided Ireland to victory over the Netherlands at the World Cup.
Left-arm spinner George Dockrell is also included, along with Alex Cusack and John Mooney, with the only uncapped player being Max Sorensen.
"It's a perfect platform for us to get a look at Max, and see how he makes the step up," said Ireland's West Indian coach Phil Simmons. "From what I've seen, he's exactly the type of cricketer I'm looking for. He can bowl quick, hits the ball far and is an exceptional fielder who is supremely fit."
Ireland has been drawn alongside defending champions Australia, England and Bangladesh at the October 28-30 Hong Kong Sixes. After the heroics at the World Cup, opponents will ignore Ireland at their peril.
In addition to playing in the tournament, one player from the Ireland side will be invited to face the Hong Kong Cricket All Stars in a nine-aside T20 match on Friday afternoon at 3.00pm. The match will be the first international T20 match ever held in Hong Kong.
"This is a very strong side and one which is capable of upsetting anyone on their day. We saw what they did to England at the World Cup and I'm sure none of their pool opponents will take Ireland lightly," said Shahzada Saleem, president of the Hong Kong Cricket Association.
Both Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling were amongst the shortlisted players for the ICC Associates and Affiliates 2011 Player of the Year which was ultimately won by Ryan ten Doeschate of the Netherlands, who will figure for the All Stars at the Hong Kong Sixes.
Ireland and Scotland will make their debut at the Hong Kong Sixes which has been expanded to 12 teams and three days of competition this year.
The shorter format will continue to play a big part of Ireland's calendar next year, with the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier taking place in the United Arab Emirates in March, with the top two from the 16-team event going on to the finals in Sri Lanka in September.
With a lot at stake, the stage is set for Ireland to make a stunning debut at the Hong Kong Sixes.
IRELAND (squad for Hong Kong Sixes, October 28th-30th): Kevin O'Brien (Gloucestershire, capt), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Somerset), John Mooney (North County), Niall O'Brien (Northants), Max Sorensen (The Hills), Paul Stirling (Middlesex)
With the support of the Hong Kong Tourism Commission's Mega Events Fund, the Karp Group Cricket Sixes 2011 is set to be the biggest and best clash in the 19-year history of the Tournament. The Hong Kong Sixes has also been recognised an official "M" Mark event by the Major Sports Events Committee since 2007.
In a bid to share the excitement of Cricket Sixes with more members of the local community, a concession ticket is being sold for Friday, October 28. Friday tickets, which include the opening pool rounds and T20 action, are priced at HK$100 for adults and HK$50 for children 12 and under. Adult tickets are priced at HK$800 for a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) package, while children's tickets are HK$380.
Tickets can be purchased from the Hong Kong Ticketing website at www.hkticketing.com, the Hong Kong Cricket Association office in Olympic House, Kowloon Cricket Club, Hong Kong Cricket Club and at Jashan and DotCod restaurants in Central.
About the Karp Group Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2011
Organized by the Hong Kong Cricket Association since 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is the only international cricket event held in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Sixes is fully sanctioned by the world's governing body for cricket, the International Cricket Council, and title sponsored by Karp Group. An recognised "M" Mark event by the Major Sports Events Committee since 2007, the Hong Kong Sixes is being supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Commission's Mega Events Fund for the first time in 2011. The Mega Events Fund was set up in 2009 to support mega arts, cultural and sports events to be staged in Hong Kong.
The tournament has been broadcast live since 2008 and in 2010 reached over 80 million households on the Indian subcontinent, across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia and South Africa, as well as being packaged for distribution in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe and China. |
