FOUR local-born players or citizens will have to be fielded by Hong Kong at next year's Tuanku Ja'afar tournament to be played in Singapore from June 27-30.
At a meeting of the representatives of the four countries - Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong - last week in Kuala Lumpur, it was decided that a shift towards increasing the number of 'locals' on the field must be maintained.
This is an indication of how the future is shaping up. And Hong Kong will have to start complying. More locally-born talent will soon have to start coming through - and more importantly, be given the opportunity.
The four-player rule is an increase by one from last week's tournament which was won by Malaysia who defeated Hong Kong by 40 runs in the final.
All evidence from this tournament points to the fact that Malaysian cricket is currently on an upward curve. The homegrown talent they possess is good and with more experience, can only get better.
Hong Kong captain Patrick Fordham made a relevant observation soon after his side lost to the hosts.
