Hong Kong needs a bigger pool of talent, says Charlie Burke
Director wants more competition for places on the team for 2015 season
It will be a long and hot summer for Hong Kong's director of cricket, Charlie Burke, as he tries to expand the talent pool for a 2015 season which could include one-day internationals and first class cricket.
Burke and the Hong Kong Cricket Association selectors have named a 42-strong summer training squad which will not only provide the manpower for the forthcoming Asian Games but also for a planned ODI series against Papua New Guinea, as well as looking ahead to the 2015 international season.
"It is crucial we develop a bigger pool of players that can come into the first team and put pressure on the current group of players," Burke said.
"The 16-18 players that have been regular members of the squad over the past 12 months need to be challenged and are hungry to have a bit more competitive attitude at training."
It is crucial we develop a bigger pool of players that can come into the first team and put pressure on the current group of players
The squad will include the nine contracted players - captain Jamie Atkinson, Waqas Barkat, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Irfan Ahmed, Nadeem Ahmed, Aizaz Khan, Tanwir Afzal and Haseeb Amjad - plus a mix of other players who have represented Hong Kong and those attempting to earn their first cap.