Sydney Thunder general manager Nick Cummins has no doubts Hong Kong will provide his side stiff competition at Wade Park on Sunday, December 11 but if you’re still sceptical, here’s proof of just how good the side actually is.
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Hong Kong played in the 2014 and 2016 World T20 tournaments, is currently ranked second of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) associate members and on Monday knocked off Kenya to move within a point of first in the ICC World Cricket League Championship – a crucial aspect of the lower tier nations’ World Cup qualification process.
To put Monday’s win in a bit of perspective, although it was a long time ago, Kenya made the World Cup semi-finals in India in 2003.
“Hong Kong aren’t a Test nation but they’re still an ICC associate … an associate nation is going to be a tough competition because they have some good players, it’ll be a good hit out for our guys to get started,” Cummins said.
Cummins confirmed last month the Thunder will bring their full squad, sans international selections, and said he’d be very surprised if Hong Kong didn’t do the same.
“They’ll bring their best team,” he said.
“This is a big deal for them so they won’t be bringing a development team.”
In a rain-impacted game, Hong Kong claimed a tense 39-run victory over the Kenyans via the Duckworth-Lewis method in Nairobi on Monday.
After a delayed start Hong Kong skipper Babar Hayat led from the front, bashing 78 at better than a run a ball to help his side to 4-148 before the rain came, cutting the side’s 31-over innings to 25.1.
Chris Carter supported Hayat with 41 in a 119-run stand for the second wicket.
Kenya’s target was revised to 173 from 25 overs, a mark the side was well on track for at 0-70 from the first 10 overs.
Then Hong Kong’s Nadeem Ahmed (3-23) and Ehsan Khan (3-12) struck, leaving Kenya reeling at 6-89 before eventually being skittled for 133.
“It was pleasing to get the win and still keep ourselves in the mix for the ICC World Cricket League Championship,” Hong Kong coach Simon Cook said ahead of next month’s trial games against the Thunder.
“Kenya got off to a very good start in their innings so it was pleasing to see the energy of the guys remain high and to come back and win was a good effort.
“We need to be more consistent going forward.”
The Thunder and Hong Kong will face off in two games at Wade Park – dubbed the Thunderdome for the day – on Sunday, December 11.
Tickets can be purchased at http://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=THUNDERV16.
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
