Fast-track development with all-Chinese cricket squad in Hong Kong
Adrian Lee Tung-leung and 19 other local players have been named in an all-Chinese squad by the Hong Kong Cricket Association as it attempts to fast-track the development of Chinese cricketers into the national team.
The Hong Kong Dragons team, captained by Lee, will be the sixth in the Under-19 Premier League (Twenty20) which begins next month, though they will not be restricted by the age rule. There are also plans to embed the best of these players in the premier Sunday League competition next season.
I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity. It is a proud and exciting day for Chinese-born cricketers
Since Hong Kong now figure in the International Cricket Council's high performance programme for top associate nations, it is essential that the game is developed among the local community.
Apart from Li Kai-ming, a member of the Asian Games squad last year, the national squad is composed of other ethnicities - mainly from the Indian sub-continent - most of whom were born in Hong Kong.
"We need to make the jump at some stage and we will push hard for the inclusion of Chinese players.
"The Dragons squad is a first step and a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised at the standards," said Charlie Burke, HKCA director of cricket.