New Zealand focus on glory at HK Sixes
Scott Styris' possible road to next year's World Cup goes past the Hong Kong Sixes where he is hoping to make a mark by leading New Zealand to their first Cup title at the Kowloon Cricket Club.
Styris who will be at the helm of a team which includes two other Black Caps - Daryl Tuffey and Nathan McCullum - is making a comeback of sorts after missing the disastrous tour of Bangladesh where New Zealand were hammered 4-0 by the home team in the one-day series.
'I had a bad back and missed that tour. But I'm fine now and looking towards playing in the next series against India, and of course the World Cup next February,' said Styris who played 29 tests and 160 one-day internationals for New Zealand.
A combative batsmen who began his career as a bowler before switching roles, Styris believed New Zealand had the firepower to win the championship at the US$150,000 Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament on November 6-7.
While internationals Tuffey and McCullum form the core of the team, experienced domestic players Carl Frauenstein and Kieran Noema- Barnett have been picked for their all-round qualities.
The squad also includes two players who represented New Zealand at last year's Under 19 World Cup - Logan van Beek and Harry Boam who have both been tipped as exciting prospects.
'The other teams will be competitive, but we have a very good side who can beat anyone,' Styris said. 'We are not coming to make up numbers. Our aim is to have some fun and win the tournament for the first time.'
Styris, 35, was due to captain the New Zealand squad last year, but had to pull out after he was drafted into the national side for a series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Now the boot is on the other foot. He will have to convince the Black Cap selectors again of his usefulness and hopes a good showing in Hong Kong will impress them.
New Zealand are in the Sobers group in the preliminary round alongside India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Bradman group comprises England, Australia, South Africa and hosts Hong Kong.
