Plan to lure big guns to Sixes

The chance to see Brian Lara in action and an extended three-day format are two avenues officials are exploring in a bid to make the annual Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered International Hong Kong Sixes bigger and better this year.

An All-Star rest-of-the-world outfit, which could include the likes of West Indian Lara, former Pakistani captain Inzamam Ul-Haq or even Australian spin legend Shane Warne, has been added to the nine teams that took part last year.

'We want to raise the profile of the tournament and our marketing partners have suggested we include an All-Star line-up. I can't say right now who we are looking at, but this side will include test players of recent vintage,' said Clive Howard, Hong Kong Cricket Association chairman.

The addition of one more team has resulted in organisers looking at starting play on Friday - the tournament is pencilled in for the weekend of October 27-28 at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

'We are exploring the possibility of having a three-day tournament. We are currently talking to KCC - it is all a matter of logistics,' said Howard, explaining the Sixes' move to follow in the footsteps of their rugby cousins - the Hong Kong Sevens - which is played over a three-day format.

Last year's cup winners South Africa, runners-up Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, England, Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies and Hong Kong will be back in action, alongside the All-Stars in the battle for the winners' purse of US$100,000.