Hong Kong Sixes on horizon

Darren Maddy will be in charge of England © Getty Images

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This weekend sees the return of the popular Hong Kong Sixes tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club - a competition in which England have reached the final seven times since its inception in 1992.

Once again England are taking a strong squad - managed by Mike Gatting - with Darren Maddy, Luke Wright, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Tim Bresnan, Kabir Ali, Alex Gidman and Steve Davies all being given their chance to impress.

Ten teams are taking part in this year’s tournament, with an All-Stars team participating for the first time, consisting of England’s Geraint Jones, alongside Anil Kumble, Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Craig McMillan, Heath Streak and Shane Warne.

“Any time you have the chance to play on a team that boasts players such as Shane, Brian, Glenn and all the other guys it is very exciting,” Jones said. “I cannot wait to have a crack at this style of the game alongside some of the biggest names in world cricket.

“I have had heard many great things about the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong Cricket Sixes over the years and to be finally making my first trip to play in Hong Kong is something I am looking forward to very much.”

The other teams taking part are Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Hong Kong, India, South Africa and Bangladesh, with the likes of Craig Spearman, Mohammad Ashraful and Nathan Astle on show.

The tournament takes place on October 27-28 and each game consists of five six-ball overs, with every player, except the wicket-keeper, bowling one over. The final consists of five eight-ball overs.

If all five wickets fall before the five overs are completed, the last remaining batsman will continue, with the fifth batsman out acting as a runner.

A batsman must retire not out when they reach a personal score of 31. He can return to the crease if all the other batsmen are out.

England have been drawn in the Bradman group with India and New Zealand, with their first game at 10am local time on Saturday October 27. The final takes place at 4.10pm on Sunday October 28.

Bradman Group: England, India, New Zealand
Sobers Group: Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, All-Stars
Cowdrey Group: Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Hong Kong