Hong Kong captain Jamie Atkinson gears up for English county cricket

Hong Kong captain Jamie Atkinson is gearing up for November's ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers after being picked up by Warwickshire in the English County Championship.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Atkinson, 23, has been signed up by the English county for the tail end of the season and is playing in a four-day game against Surrey. Departing national coach Charlie Burke hailed his inclusion as a huge boost for the game.

"Playing on the English county scene will do Jamie a world of good and it is bound to help Hong Kong as we look forward to qualifying for next year's ICC World Twenty20," said Burke.

Atkinson is the first local to make the top grade in England since Dermot Reeve, who played for Sussex, Warwickshire and Somerset in the 1980s and '90s, as well as representing England.

"Jamie has been knocking on the door for a long time and I'm pleased he has been given the chance. It is the last few games of the season, but it is a time other counties are looking at players for next season and he has the opportunity to make an impression," said Burke, who will continue with Hong Kong until the World T20 qualifiers in Dubai before joining his new employers, the ICC.

Atkinson will join the rest of the squad preparing for the 16-team qualifying tournament in the United Arab Emirates at the end of the month. The selectors have named a 15-strong squad for a one-week tour of New South Wales from October 9-16 during which Hong Kong will play four T20 games and two 50-over matches against the state's second XI and Under-19 squads. Hong Kong are also preparing for next January's World Cup (50 overs) qualifiers in New Zealand.