Hong Kong cricketer Li Kai-ming becomes first Chinese player in Australia's Big Bash League Twenty20 tournament
Legspinner becomes first Hong Kong Chinese player to sign for Australian T20 professional team as part of community rookie programme
Li Kai-ming will break new ground for Hong Kong when he becomes the first local Chinese cricketer to play in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL).
The 24-year-old Hong Kong Dragons star, who grew up idolising Australian spinner Shane Warne, will join the Sydney Sixers as the team's community rookie for the Twenty20 tournament that starts next month.
My aim is to be one of the leading cricketers for Hong Kong and I look forward to the challenges
"I am very excited to be selected as the community rookie for the Sydney Sixers and I intend to make the best of this rare opportunity," said Li, who is also known as Ming Li.
"My aim is to be one of the leading cricketers for Hong Kong and I look forward to the challenges this experience will provide, which I know will go a long way in helping me achieve my cricketing goals."
"I'd like to thank the Hong Kong Cricket Association, the Sydney Sixers and Cricket Australia for offering me this fantastic opportunity with one of the leading Big Bash League clubs."
The BBL is Australia's version of global T20 leagues that have taken the cricket world by storm.