Winning Start For England As Hong Kong Impress

Hong Kong, October 31, 2009 - Defending Hong Kong Cricket Sixes champions England made a winning start to the 2009 edition of the competition at Kowloon Cricket Club on Saturday morning when they survived a late fight back to down Pakistan by three runs.

Chris Read's team looked to be in control after hitting 92 runs without loss in their allotted five overs with Peter Trego and Darren Stevens both retiring not out having scored 35 and 33 respectively.

But, with Pakistan scoring 38 runs off Graham Napier's penultimate over, the result hung in the balance right to the end.

However, a fine final over by Trego - who claimed the wicket of Sohail Khan while only conceding 11 runs - guaranteed a winning start for the holders.

Meanwhile, Irfan Ahmad was the star for Hong Kong with both the bat and ball in the opening two games as the hosts made an early impression.

The 19-year-old scored 33 unbeaten runs in Hong Kong's five wicket win over South Africa before claiming the wicket of Shanan Stewart when his first ball against New Zealand zipped through the batsman's defences.

He then shone with the bat against the Kiwis, hitting four sixes before retiring unbeaten once again, this time on 32 runs as Hong Kong successfully chased down a total of 92 to notch up their second win in a row.

That victory gave the home side a great chance of qualifying for Sunday's semifinals as one of the two qualifiers from the Southern hemisphere group.

South Africa bounced back from the defeat at the hands of Hong Kong to beat Australia in impressive fashion, successfully completing a 110-run chase to win by four wickets and keep their hopes of a place in the next round alive.

In the Northern hemisphere group, India kicked off their campaign with a win by six runs against Sri Lanka.

Manish Pandey and Jagadeesh Arunkumar both retired unbeaten on 31 and 36 runs respectively before captain Anil Kumble closed out the innings to leave the Sri Lankans chasing 89 runs to win.

Sri Lanka, though, fell just short with captain Jeewatha Kulathunga bowled out without scoring when facing only his second ball.

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Back-To-Back Wins Strengthen England's Defence

Hong Kong, October 31, 2009 - England's defence of their Hong Kong Cricket Sixes title had the perfect start as Chris Read's team recorded back-to-back wins in their opening pair of matches at Kowloon Cricket Club on Saturday.

A four-wicket win against India followed victory over Pakistan earlier in the day as the English moved to the verge of qualifying for Sunday's second phase of the competition.

The English survived a case of the jitters late in the game against the Indians after starting their chase of 89 runs in impressive fashion.

Darren Stevens and Peter Trego retired unbeaten after scoring 32 and 35 runs respectively but two wickets in two balls for Stuart Binny late in the game - when he claimed the scalps of Read and Graham Napier - caused some consternation for England late in the game.

Rory Hamilton Brown steadied the ship for England, however, scoring the four runs needed to secure his team's second win in a row.

Earlier in the day, the English had opened their campaign with victory over Pakistan, hitting 92 runs without loss in their allotted five overs.

But, with Pakistan scoring 38 runs off Napier's penultimate over, the result hung in the balance right to the end.

However, a fine final over by Trego - who claimed the wicket of Sohail Khan while only conceding 11 runs - guaranteed a winning start for the holders.

India's loss to England followed a successful start to the tournament for Anil Kumble and company when they recorded a win by six runs against Sri Lanka.

Manish Pandey and Jagadeesh Arunkumar both retired unbeaten on 31 and 36 runs respectively before Kumble closed out the innings to leave the Sri Lankans to embark on an unsuccessful chase of 89 runs to win.

Sri Lanka bounced back in their next game, handing Pakistan a defeat by six runs to keep their chances of playing in Sunday's Cup competition alive.

Meanwhile, Irfan Ahmad was the star for Hong Kong with both the bat and ball as the hosts won all three of their Southern hemisphere group games to become the first side to qualify for tomorrow's Cup competition.

The 19-year-old scored 33 unbeaten runs in Hong Kong's five wicket win over South Africa before claiming the wicket of Shanan Stewart when his first ball against New Zealand zipped through the batsman's defences.

He then shone with the bat against the Kiwis, hitting four sixes before retiring unbeaten once again, this time on 32 runs as Hong Kong successfully chased down a total of 92 to notch up their second win in a row.

Irfan was on centre stage again in Hong Kong's final group game as the home side recorded a four wicket win over Australia, running out Marcus Stoinis in a game that also saw Munir Dar impress with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 33.

"It went pretty well for us," said Irfan after the win over Australia. "It was good and I'm batting well. We were looking forward to this, we knew we could do this and it's been pretty easy for us.

"Now we want to go on and get into the final because it will be very good for Hong Kong cricket.

"Tomorrow we'll just take it game by game and let's see what we can do. We're really enjoying it out there, the crowd is behind us as well and it's been great."

South Africa bounced back from their defeat at the hands of Hong Kong to beat Australia in impressive fashion, successfully completing a 110-run chase to win by four wickets and keep their hopes of a place in the next round alive.

That loss, coupled with the defeat against Hong Kong, left Australia facing elimination from the business end of the competition.

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Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2009 Hong Kong Steal The Show As England Keep Title Defence On Track

Hong Kong, October 31, 2009 – Defending champions England progressed to the Cup phase of the Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2009 on Saturday despite losing their final game of the group phase against Sri Lanka, but it was Hong Kong who stole the limelight with an unbeaten run at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

The hosts defeated South Africa, Australia and New Zealand to finish with a 100 percent record at the top of the Southern hemisphere group with the South Africans joining Hong Kong in the next round by taking second place.

England topped the Northern hemisphere group with Sri Lanka securing their spot in the last four by virtue of a five-wicket win over the English in the final game of the day.

Chris Read’s England side had earlier defeated India and Pakistan to earn their spot in the second round and the wicketkeeper was happy his team were able to keep their defence of the trophy alive.

“We’re delighted to go through,” said Read. “We would like to have been unbeaten in the first round of matches but all credit to Sri Lanka they did well and they were under pressure to get the win, but it starts all over again tomorrow.

“We’ve yet to play our best cricket collectively. It seems there only three guys playing well in any one game, we have yet to get it together as a unit.

“We didn’t really know who was going to be a force and I think it’s impossible coming into a tournament like this to commit beforehand.

“But from what we’ve seen today, you have Hong Kong who are unbeaten, Sri Lanka have got better throughout the day and South Africa have been involved in the highest scoring games so it’s going to be interesting.”

Sri Lanka’s win in the final game meant they finished the day on four points from three games, two more than both Pakistan and India, who were eliminated and both will now play in the Plate competition on Sunday.

“We were hoping to win our first game and then after that you can keep your head up,” said Sri Lanka captain Jeewatha Kulathunga, who side lost their opener against India.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t make it but against Pakistan we were good enough to beat them. In the England game, we lost the toss and had to bowl first, not thinking about the run rate but going for the kill.

“Tomorrow our first game is going to be against South Africa and it’s going to be a tough game but the team that’s doing well at that particular time is going to be the winner.”

Hong Kong, inspired by the batting and bowling of Irfan Ahmed, cruised through to the second phase of the competition with three wins out of three in the Southern hemisphere group.

Irfan scored a total of 76 runs in three innings as Hong Kong defeated South Africa, Australia and New Zealand to complete the group stages of the competition with a perfect record.

“The players have done their job really well,” said Hong Kong captain Najeeb Amar.

“I trust them and they have given me 110 percent in batting, bowling and fielding. In every aspect they have been up to the mark.

“Our mindset was to always chase because when there is a target for us we know we can do it, we can adjust ourselves to be able to do it and it’s worked perfectly.

“Everyone has done their bit and the teamwork has been perfect.”

South Africa recovered well from their opening loss against Hong Kong to defeat Australia in their second game by four wickets, successfully completing a 110-run chase to keep their hopes of a place in the next round alive.

Another impressive performance in their next game against New Zealand saw the South Africans earn a 20-run victory to seal second spot in the Southern hemisphere group.

New Zealand picked up their only win of the day to secure third place in the group when they handed Australia a four-wicket defeat to leave their rivals empty handed after their three matches on Saturday.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
TEAM	PLAYED	POINTS	RUN RATE
HONG KONG	3	6	3.4459
SOUTH AFRICA	3	4	3.2500
NEW ZEALAND	3	2	2.9875
AUSTRALIA	3	0	2.8444

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
TEAM	PLAYED	POINTS	RUN RATE
ENGLAND	3	4	3.125
SRI LANKA	3	4	3.104651
PAKISTAN	3	2	2.925926
ANIL KUMBLE'S INDIA	3	2	2.677778

Results Day 1

Southern Hemisphere

Game 1 – Hong Kong beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
South Africa 71 for 2 (Jacobs 32 retired); Hong Kong 73 for 1 (Irfan Ahmad 33 retired).

Game 3 – Hong Kong beat New Zealand by 4 wickets
New Zealand 92 for 3 (Spearman 31 retired); Hong Kong 95 for 2 (Irfan Ahmad 32).

Game 5 – South Africa beat Australia by 4 wickets
Australia 110 for 2 (Maxwell 34 retired, Moller 33 retired); South Africa 112 for 2 (Bosman 33 retired, Jacobs 33 retired, Coetsee 29 not out)

Game 7 – Hong Kong beat Australia by 4 wickets
Australia 86 for 3 (Maxwell 29); Hong Kong 89 for 2 (Dar 33 retired)

Game 9 – South Africa beat New Zealand by 20 runs
South Africa 103 for 3 (Kleinveldt 34 not out); New Zealand 83 for 2 (Fulton 31 retired, Stewart 33 retired).

Game 11 - New Zealand beat Australia by 4 wickets
Australia 60 all out (Stoinis 35); New Zealand 64 for 2 (Kitchen 32 retired).

Northern Hemisphere

Game 2 - India beat Sri Lanka by 6 runs
India 88 for 2 (Pandey 31 retired, Arun Kumar 36 retired); Sri Lanka 82 for 3.

Game 4 – England beat Pakistan by 3 runs
England 92 for 0 (Stevens 33 retired, Trego 35 retired); Pakistan 89 for 3 (Shahzad 33 retired, Ali 35 retired).

Game 6 - Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 6 runs
Sri Lanka 88 for 2 (Soysa 36 retired); Pakistan 82 for 2 (Raouf 30).

Game 8 – England beat India by 4 wickets
India 88 for 4 (Binny 54 not out); England 89 for 2 (Stevens 32 retired, Trego 35 retired).

Game 10 – Pakistan beat India by 6 wickets
India 65 for 1 (Pandey 28 not out); Pakistan 66 for 0 (Shahzad 31 retired).

Game 12 - Sri Lanka beat England by 5 wickets
England 94 for 4 (Trego 65 not out); Sri Lanka 97 for 1 (Kualthunga 32 retired, Lokuarachichi 31 retired).

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About the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Six-a-side cricket is the quickest, most fun-filled version of the game - a feast of world-class players, thrilling matches and big hits. First played in 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is the longest-running and highest-profile Sixes tournament in the world. It offers two days of fast and furious action in a festival atmosphere - eight international teams, 45-minute clashes and global television coverage.

Stars who have taken part include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Javed Miandad, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, Adam Gilchrist, Wasim Akram, MS Dhoni and Sanath Jayasuriya.

The Sixes won the prestigious 2007 ICC Award for Best Cricket Promotional and Marketing Award.

England recorded a record fifth Sixes title last year after a stunning final in which they finished tied with Australia on 121 runs. When Australian batsman Stephen O'Keefe was run out attempting a second run from the final delivery that would have given his team victory, England were confirmed victors as they had lost fewer wickets (three wickets to one).

For further information, please contact:

Damien McDowell M: +852 9409-5811 E: dmcdowell@brand-rapport.com

Mavis Yim M: +852 9375-9786 E: myim@brand-rapport.com

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Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery 香港六人板球賽 2009 香港隊以全勝姿態晉級 明早迎戰上屆冠軍英格蘭

[2009年10月31日，香港] Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery香港六人板球賽 2009今日假九龍木球會正式展開，八隊世界級球隊大顯身手，力爭出線資格。香港隊在現場球迷的熱烈支持下表現神勇，在三場小組賽中分別擊敗南非、新西蘭及澳洲，以全勝姿態晉級，明日將對戰英格蘭、斯里蘭卡及南非，爭入盃決賽。而年輕新星伊凡 (Irfan Ahmed) 的表現可謂技驚四座，全日取得76個得分跑為港隊奠定勝局。

香港隊教練希德(Afzaal Haider)賽後表示﹕「港隊隊員今日表現非常出色，我相信他們在投球、擊球及外野防守已表現出110分，發揮超水平，而隊員之間的合作亦相當完美。」

圖片一 香港隊在隊長阿麥(Najeeb Amar) 的帶領下，在「Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery香港六人板球賽 2009」的三場小組賽中分別擊敗對手南非、新西蘭及澳洲。		圖片二 「Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery香港六人板球賽 2009」今午假九龍木球會揭幕，現場氣氛熾熱，球迷以不同的打扮支持隊伍。

Day 2: Sunday, 1 November 2009
Match	Time	Match	Group
13	8.30am	Sri Lanka vs South Africa	Cup RR
14	9.15am	England vs Hong Kong	Cup RR
15	10.00am	Pakistan vs Australia	Plate SF1
16	10.45am	England vs South Africa	Cup RR
17	11.30am	Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong	Cup RR
	12.15 - 12.35pm	Champions Parade
18	12.35pm	Indian vs New Zealand	Plate SF 2
19	1.20pm	Hong Kong vs South Africa	Cup RR
20	2.05pm	England vs Sri Lanka	Cup RR
	2.50 – 3.00pm	Entertainment
21	3.00pm	Plate Final
22	4.00pm	Cup Final
	5.00pm	Presentations

有關香港六人板球賽

香港六人板球賽由1992年開始舉行，至今已踏入第十五週年紀念，是全球其中一項最為人熟悉和歷史悠久的板球賽事。一連兩日精彩刺激的賽事，每場以45分鐘為限，由八隊國際級隊伍角逐殊榮，為全球媒體廣泛報導。

過去曾參賽的星級球手包括拿拉 (Brian Lara)、鄧德家 (Sachin Tendulkar)、米安迪 (Javed Miandad)、史提夫 (Steve)及馬克華治 (Mark Waugh)、李察士 (Viv Richards)、費度夫 (Andrew Flintoff)、華耐 (Shane Warne)、 甘比利 (Anil Kumble)、基卓斯 (Adam Gilchrist)、艾林(Wasim Akram)、冬尼 (MS Dhoni) 及 加也舒利耶 (Sanath Jayasuriya) 等。

2007年，香港六人板球賽榮獲國際板球聯會頒發最優秀宣傳及市場推廣獎，今年更成為聯會環球百週年慶祝活動之一。屆時將有特別儀式表揚國際板球聯會過去100年對板球運動發展的貢獻，以及宏揚板球運動的精神。

此新聞稿由brandRapport代Karp Group & Unirich Jewellery 香港六人板球賽 2009發佈。

傳媒查詢，請聯絡brandRapport:
嚴彤葦 (Mavis Yim)
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