Women’s coach Charlie Burke says Hong Kong will be tough to beat in the 2016 ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers – Asia in October this year.

Following the news that Hong Kong would host China, Nepal and Thailand for the tournament, Burke said the home ground advantage will be a major boost.

“For the team to get the opportunity to play in front of family, friends and Hong Kong supporters should be a big motivator,” Burke said.

“Having never hosted an ICC Women's tournament, this is really exciting.”

While China are the top-ranked team in the qualifiers, Burke expects all four teams will be competitive. The former men’s coach and now Director of Cricket has also seen a distinct improvement in the Hong Kong women’s team in recent years.

“We had a number of big changes in the squad a number of years ago and threw in some young or inexperienced players to develop and take the Women's squad onto global tournaments,” Burke said.

“We are no longer young in cricket terms and we now have a core group of 16-18 players that understand what is required at this level.”

“The tournament will showcase a very competitive and close competition, if we can be the fittest and show our cricket maturity I have no doubt we will be tough to beat.”

While the men’s team were recently accepted into the Hong Kong Sports Institute, the women’s team program is not full-time meaning incredible dedication is required from the squad.

“Majority of our players work or study so trying to balance the pressure of work and study with cricket isn't easy," Burke said.

“I want the players turning up to training with a purpose and to enjoy being together as a group.”

“The support the players have is better than ever, nine of our players have committed to support contracts to assist them to get to training and get away from work early or miss a shift without it affecting their income.”

The women’s squad will travel to India for a preparation tour in September where they will have access to world class facilities. The squad leaving no stone unturned to chase top spot in the qualifiers and guarantee progression to the global qualifying group.

香港女子板球隊教練貝卓禮（Charlie Burke）表示，港隊將會是「2016女子板球世界盃亞洲區外圍賽」的大熱球隊。

香港板球總會昨日（21日）宣布取得該賽事的主辦權，港隊將會主場迎戰中國、尼泊爾及泰國，貝卓禮認為主場優勢對香港隊有重大幫助：「球隊可以在家人、朋友及本地球迷面前獻技，對各球員有很大的幫助。今次是本港首次舉辦國際板球理事會的女子賽事，實在令人興奮。」

雖然中國隊在四支球隊中排名最高，但是貝卓禮認為各支球隊都很具競爭力。前男子隊教練，現身兼板球總監的貝卓禮亦指出，香港女子隊在近年有顯著進步：「數年前，女子隊陣容有重大調整，我們引入了多位年輕並欠缺經驗的球員，讓她們出戰國際賽事。球隊現在已經擁有一定經驗，16至18位核心球員明白怎樣提升至國際水準。」

「今次賽事競爭將會非常激烈，如果球員狀態良好，並且充分運用經驗，我認為港隊一定會是爭標分子。」

香港男子隊最近獲得香港體育學院支持，但女子隊仍未成為全職球隊，各位球員都需要無比的毅力和決心。貝卓禮補充道：「大部分女子球員都要工作或讀書，要平衡體育生涯與生活，絕不容易。我希望球員帶著清晰目標去出席訓練，並享受與隊友一同訓練的時間。球隊得到前所未有的支援，當中九位球員獲得兼職球員合約，以減輕她們生活上的負擔。」

香港女子隊將於九月前往印度進行集訓，運用當地世界級的設施進行訓練。球隊將會盡力爭取亞洲外圍賽的首名，以晉身世界外圍賽。