Hong Kong preparation ‘couldn’t be any better’ as men’s cricket side get set for ICC Challenge League B opener
- Trent Johnston’s side begin their ICC Challenge League B campaign against Italy in Uganda on Saturday
- ‘There’s a lot of people putting their hands up for selection and it’s going to be very difficult,’ coach says
Hong Kong begin their ICC Challenge League B campaign in Uganda on Saturday, and if coach Trent Johnston had his way the game would be much sooner than that.
The men’s cricket team arrived in Kampala on Thursday from a warm-up tour of Namibia, and despite losing all three 50-over games they played, Johnston is full of confidence for the tournament that lies ahead.
“Our preparation couldn’t be any better going into our first game against Italy,” he said. “The boys are very keen to get the competition started, and I can’t wait for Saturday to be honest.”
Three defeats in 10 days would not necessarily be cause for optimism, but despite the margins of the defeats – Hong Kong lost their last two games by 162 runs, and seven wickets, respectively – the coach pointed to several individual performances as reasons for thinking good things lie ahead.
Yasim Murtaza and Babar Hayat both averaged in the 40s with the bat over the three games, while Johnston was full of praise for young fast bowler Ayush Shukla whom he said had been “outstanding”.
“It was a great three games for us and a great 10 days leading into this tournament,” he said.
