Perth-based Kyle Christie answers Hong Kong’s call with local-born bowler named in squads to face PNG and Kenya

Perth-based fast bowler Kyle Christie was on Monday named in Hong Kong squads to face Papua New Guinea and Kenya in November. Cricket Hong Kong named two separate 14-man squads with Christie included for both series.

The three-game one-day international series against Papua New Guinea will be held at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground on November 4, 6 and 8, with former Hong Kong captain Jamie Atkinson named to make his return after his absence during the tour of the UK and Ireland.

ICC World T20 squad member Kinchit Shah has also been recalled to the line-up.

“We welcome back Kinchit who has set the standard in our premier league and answered the coaching staffs request for runs,” director of cricket Charlie Burke said. “Kyle is Hong Kong born and playing in Perth, Western Australia, looking forward to having another pace option, who is also a very handy batsmen.

“He was discovered as part of our global talent search to bring Hong Kong-born cricketers back to their roots.

“Jamie Atkinson is available for the home series against PNG, however won’t travel with the squad to face Kenya due to work commitments.

“We have come off a good series in the UK and we have a really important World Cricket League Championship round against Kenya to come in mid-November so this is a really important series for us and an opportunity for guys to push for a place in the best XI”

The Kenya matches are on November 18 and 20.

Tickets are on sale for through Ticketflap.com for the home series against PNG, with hopes held of a sell-out for the Sunday afternoon match. It will be just the second time an official ODI will be played in Hong Kong.

For the two-game ICC World Cricket League series against Kenya, Hong Kong will welcome back top-order batsman Mark Chapman, who was previously unavailable because of study and first-class cricket commitments in Auckland but will make a timely return for the all-important series.

Chapman made a century in his ODI debut against UAE last year and has since gone on to star for Auckland in their domestic limited-overs cricket.

HONG KONG SQUADS

PNG ODI Series (Hong Kong) 4th, 6th & 8th November

Tanwir Afzal (Pakistan Assoc), Nadeem Ahmed (DLSWCC), Tanveer Ahmed (KCC), James Atkinson (KCC), Christopher Carter (KCC), Kyle Christie (Kalamunda CC – Perth, WA), Babar Hayat (captain, DLSWCC), Aizaz Khan (VC, KCC), Ehsan Khan (DLSWCC), Nizakat Khan (HKCC), Waqas Khan (DLSWCC), Anshuman Rath (HKCC), Kinchit Shah (KCC), Shahid Wasif (DLSWCC).

Kenya ICC WCLC (TBC) 18th & 20th November

Tanwir Afzal (Pakistan Assoc), Nadeem Ahmed (DLSWCC), Tanveer Ahmed (KCC), Christopher Carter (KCC), Mark Chapman (HKCC & Auckland), Kyle Christie (Kalamunda CC – Perth, WA), Babar Hayat (captain, DLSWCC), Aizaz Khan (VC, KCC), Ehsan Khan (DLSWCC), Nizakat Khan (HKCC), Waqas Khan (DLSWCC), Ehsan Nawaz (KCC), Anshuman Rath (HKCC), Kinchit Shah (KCC).