Coup as 'biggest names' agree to add star quality
Shane Warne and Brian Lara - the world's top test wicket-taker and leading run-getter respectively - will take part in this month's Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Sixes.
Hong Kong Cricket Association chairman Clive Howard yesterday confirmed a South China Morning Post story last month that the famous duo would turn out at the October 27-28 tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club.
'This is a huge coup for us to get two of the biggest names in world cricket to play in Hong Kong,' Howard said. 'They will add star quality to the tournament and their presence will make it one of the best Sixes.
'We are very relieved to be finally able to verify that Warne and Lara will play in Hong Kong. Warne was always on the cards to play, but he had other obligations and it was a question of sorting them out,' Howard added.
Warne, who has 708 scalps in test cricket for Australia, will captain the All-Star team that, apart from West Indian Lara, will also include Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, Indians Virender Sehwag and Anil Kumble and Zimbabwe's Heath Streak.
Unlike the other nine teams who are picked by the various cricketing boards, the All-Star team is by invitation only, and the organisers have chosen an explosive mix of batsmen and bowlers, who, under the dynamic captaincy of Warne, look good to go all the way and claim the top prize of US$100,000.