MEDIA
RELEASE
SOUTH AFRICA SCENT SUCCESS IN 2003 CATHAY PACIFIC/STANDARD CHARTERED
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SIXES
HONG KONG, October 10: Fiery paceman Monde
Zondeki will spearhead South Africa's bid for glory at the 2003
Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket
Sixes.
Andrew Hall returns with South
African team
© Cricinfo |
The 21-year-old speedster, among the most
promising fast bowling prospects in the world, is one of four
players in the South
African squad with Test match experience who will be on view
at the Kowloon
Cricket Club on November 1-2. Joining Zondeki in Hong Kong will be Andrew
Hall, Justin Kemp and Justin Ontong, all of whom have worn South
African
colours
in the Test match arena. The line-up is completed by Loots
Bosman, Gerald Dros and Albie Morkel.
Runners-up in 2001 and losing semi-finalists
last year, the South African players will be determined to put
on a good
show in the
ninth edition of the world's premier Sixes competition
that carries prize money of US$260,000.
Certainly the South Africans appear well equipped
to mount a serious challenge, as they aim to capture the trophy
for
the
second time, having won it in 1995.
Many eyes will be focused on Zondeki, who
is being tipped as the man to fill the boots of Allan Donald
as South Africa's
leading strike bowler. As well as being part of the South African
squad at the 2003 World Cup, Zondeki made his Test match debut
against England in the summer.
Hall, an all-rounder who played indoor cricket
for South Africa before breaking into the first-class game, will
also
capture
the attention. He cemented his position in his country's
Test team during the 2003 England tour. A late call-up to the
squad, he took 16 wickets and ensured South Africa won at Headingley
with a swashbuckling 99 not out.
Based on their performances in Hong Kong in
the last two years, the South Africans have been seeded third,
behind
favourites
Pakistan and England.
Drawn in Pool 2, South Africa will tackle
Sri Lanka in their opening encounter before taking on England,
their conquerors
in last year's semi-finals, in what promises to be one
of the most explosive matches of the first day.
They will then conclude the pool stage with
a contest against tournament debutants Kenya.
The top two teams from Pool 2 will qualify
for the Cup knockout stage where they will face the leading two
from Pool 1, which
is made up of Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
The bottom two teams in each of the pools will compete for
the
Plate.
"South Africa always send a strong team to
the tournament, and this year is no exception. Many people think
they have a good
chance of winning the trophy," said Mike Walsh, chairman
of the Hong Kong Cricket Association.
Tickets for the 2003 Cathay Pacific/Standard
Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes are selling fast. 'Early bird' two-day
ticket prices have been set at HK$300 for adults and HK$150 for
children under the age of 15. From October 18, the prices will
increase to HK$380 for adults and HK$200 for children.
Games are played in five-over innings, with
each team member, other than the wicket-keeper, bowling one over.
South African squad: Loots Bosman, Gerald
Dros, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong,
Monde Zondeki.
The 2003 Cathay Pacific/Standard
Chartered
Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes will take place at
Kowloon Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Kowloon on November
1-2. Early bird two-day passes cost HK$300 for adults and
HK$150 for children
aged 15 years and younger, and are on sale through Cityline
(www.cityline.com.hk)
as well as at the following outlets:
- Hong Kong Cricket Club
(137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Happy Valley, 2574 6266);
- Kowloon Cricket Club (10
Cox's Road, Jordan,
2367 4141);
- Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar
(Prince's Building, Central 2810 6988);
- Hong Kong Cricket Association (Room 1019 Sports House, 1
Stadium Path, So Kon Po,
2504 8102).
Provided by CCIL/Hong Kong Cricket Association. For further
information, please contact Danny Lai at (852) 2504-8102.
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