WORLD CRICKET & ICC NEWS

Emerging cricket-championing journalist Tim Wigmore (who worked with the Hong Kong team during the World Twenty20 Qualifier back in July) had an article published by the Guardian about a mooted plan to expand the number test-playing nations, as well as tweaking the ODI structure and instilling a true qualifying pathway for World Twenty20s (which may be brought back to biennial events) through regional tournaments.

Expanding the opportunities for emerging nations to play against the major nations and to play in the big tournaments is critical if we are indeed to become the “World’s Favourite Sport”.

CRICKET IN THE OLYMPICS

Amongst the encouraging talk of restructuring world cricket’s formats let’s hope the ICC does not forget the factor of increased government funding for the Olympic sports. This is a major point in the conversation around the sport’s global development. Currently, emerging cricket nations receive anything from ten thousand to over three million US Dollars from the ICC per year in direct funding. The possibility to unlock many countries’ “Olympic” pot would be a huge boost to funding the growth of the sport across the globe, especially in non-traditional nations – allowing the ICC to make more use of its resources that complement the countries’ (Olympic) development rather than fund it. It would also tap in to the national pride factor that comes with preparing for / competing in Olympic games, which would hopefully transcend any potential preconceptions of the sport in countries where it is not in the mainstream.

THE RETURN OF THE HONG KONG SIXES?

Recently, the South China Morning Post reported that we have applied for funding under the Hong Kong Government’s Mega Event Fund (MEF) to support the return of the famous HK Sixes.

We are very excited about the concept of an extended event including Men’s, Women’s and Schools’ Sixes being integrated into the event; catering to the spectrum of Hong Kong and the sporting world.

This will be the biggest HK Sixes ever.

Obviously the World Twenty20 is a big focus at the moment but we’d love to hear from anyone wanting to support the Sixes.

ASIA CUP

Our men’s team faced off with the three other T20I-status associates from Asia in a single round robin for the single qualifier sport in the 2016 Asia Cup in Bangladesh, alongside India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka & host Bangladesh.

Fielding a somewhat depleted side and carrying a couple of niggling injuries unfortunately we were not successful in progressing, going down in all three matches. Eventual qualifier, UAE were the surprise packet of the tournament as unlike Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Oman, they will not be competing in next month’s ICC World Twenty20 after not progressing via the qualifying even in Scotland & Ireland last July.

Many thanks to Hong Kong Cricket Club’s Dot Cod restaurant who hosted the official supporter function for the televised Afghanistan match.

IS BABAR THE NEW “BOOM BOOM”?

The absolute shining light of the tournament for Hong Kong was Babar Hayat’s batting as he continued his rich vein of form since becoming first Hong Kong player to score a First Class century during last year’s UAE tour. Babar blew away the Oman attack scoring the equal fourth fastest Twenty20 International century ever in Hong Kong’s first Asia Cup qualifier almost single handedly winning the game match for Team HK. Unfortunately the match was not televised, however we have released footage from our analyst, Chris Pickett’s camera so that fans can get a glimpse of how well Babar struck the ball that night – and the ease with which he goes about his work:

“THE” MANKAD

This match also featured the much discussed “Mankad” runout of Mark Chapman. With different playing conditions for non/international matches there has been a lot of discussion around Mark’s dismissal – not long after the West Indies U19 completed a victory taking the final wicket of a key match with a similar dismissal. You can watch it for yourself below – bearing in mind the playing condition for this mode of dismissal in T20 Internationals is: “The bowler is permitted, before releasing the ball and provided he has not completed his usual delivery swing, to attempt to run out the non- striker. Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one of the over. If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon possible.”:

THE BIG SHOW

All attention now goes to India where we play the ICC World Twenty20 tournament opener against Zimbabwe. With Ryan Campbell and Jamie Atkinson joining the squad after both missing the Bangladesh tour, it is hoped their addition gets the squad firing on all cylinders come the curtain raising match on the afternoon of 8^th March.

The World Twenty20 provides the most accessible world platform for emerging nation to showcase their talent. From an organisation’s point of view it presents great marketing opportunities for commercial partners. Players are on the world stage where one performance could be the difference between attracting offers from a franchise T20 league that could change their lives. And, maybe most importantly, this event give emerging nations’ fans the rare opportunity to watch their teams on TV (and online) with the same production quality, technology and commentary that is offered to the major cricketing nations.

As always, please feel free to get in touch with me personally with any questions, comments or suggestions about Cricket in Hong Kong by Email or Twitter.