Cricketing greats to call the shots at Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

A team of test legends will be behind the microphones when the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is staged next month.

Lining up in the commentary box at the Kowloon Cricket Club on 8-9 November will be “all-star” quintet Waqar Younis, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ian Bishop, Danny Morrison and Kumar Sangakkara.

The five players are well qualified to call the shots for broadcaster Ten Sports – they boast 291 tests and an astonishing 746 one day internationals (ODIs) between them.

Waqar, who helped Pakistan win the inaugural Sixes in 1992, is relishing his return to the Kowloon Cricket Club.

“Pakistan have always had a strong record in the Sixes and I’m looking forward to their performances, in particular against India on the Saturday afternoon,” said the fast bowling great.

“I really enjoy staying in close touch with the game from the commentary box and seeing the development of the players from all angles.”

Waqar – named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1992 – retired in 2004 after a stellar career in which he took 373 wickets in 87 tests and played in 262 one day internationals.

Since finishing playing he has moved into the commentary box and has rapidly won a reputation for his ability as an analyst.

Former India batsman Manjrekar, a veteran of 37 tests and 74 ODIs, has hosted all Ten Sports cricket since the launch of the channel in 2002.

“I enjoyed my Sixes experience as a player and I’m looking forward to returning to Hong Kong as a commentator,” he said.

“This is a unique event with a distinct atmosphere and one that both fans and players love to be part of.”

West Indies fast bowling great Bishop (161 wickets in 43 tests) and former New Zealand pace bowler Morrison (160 wickets in 48 tests) have both become regulars on the worldwide commentary circuit since retiring from the sport.

The Sixes will mark Sangakkara’s debut behind the microphone and Ten Sports chiefs are expecting him to be a huge hit with viewers.

The charismatic Sri Lankan star, 30, is taking time out from playing to be part of the commentary team.

Sangakkara is regarded as one of the finest wicketkeeper-batsmen of all time, having plundered 17 centuries in his 76 test appearances at an average of 54.79. He has also played 230 ODIs.

He is currently second in the International Cricket Council (ICC) world batting rankings behind West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who will be taking part in the Sixes as a member of the All-Stars team.

“We’ve always made a point of gathering a range of opinions and voices from around the world on our cricket coverage,” said Ten Sports senior vice-president Peter Hutton.

“I’m delighted that for the Sixes that we’ve been able to get five big cricketing names who reflect the international nature of the event and the huge international TV audience.”

Ten Sports, owned by Dubai-based Taj TV, is the world’s leading producer of cricket.

The company will broadcast the Sixes on its own channels in the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, North America, continental Europe, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Ten Sports has also secured commitments from broadcasters to show the event in all other major cricketing markets, including the UK and Australia.

Fans in Hong Kong will be able to listen to Waqar and company by watching the Sixes on NOW TV (channels 634 and 678, broadcasting from 08:30 to 17:15 each day).

In a first for the tournament, commentary will also be available in Cantonese.

Eight teams are taking part in the Sixes – Pakistan, India, England and South Africa will contest the Bradman Group while the All-Stars, defending champions Sri Lanka, Australia and hosts Hong Kong will do battle in the Sobers Group.

The top two teams in each pool after day one will progress to the Cup on day two.

Joining Chanderpaul in the All-Stars will be test greats Justin Langer (Australia), Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) and Matthew Hoggard (England).

Tickets for the 2008 Sixes – priced at $780 for adults and $450 for children – are on sale at the following locations:

• China Cricket International, Sheung Wan (Tel: 2543 8500)
• Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Central (Tel: 2810 6988)
• Hong Kong Cricket Club, Happy Valley (Tel: 3511 8668)
• Kowloon Cricket Club, Jordan (Tel: 2376 4141)

The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is fully sanctioned by the ICC and is the sport’s longest-running, best-established and most high-profile sixes tournament.

Players who have taken part over the past 16 years include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Gilchrist and Wasim Akram.

The tournament is organised and promoted by the Hong Kong Cricket Association’s commercial arm, China Cricket International Limited.

The HKCA’s proceeds from the Sixes will be ploughed directly back into cricket development in Hong Kong.

ENDS