WEST INDIES ARRIVE SAFELY FOR HONG KONG SIXES

WINDIES ARRIVE SAFELY AHEAD OF HONG KONG TOURNEY

 

HONG KONG - West Indies arrived on Wednesday, ready to challenge for the Hong Kong International Sixes title which they narrowly missed out on last year.

 

The team of skipper Sylvester Joseph, Darren Sammy, Tonito Willett, Narsingh Deonarine and Eusan Crandon, along with manager Zorol Barthley flew in from the Caribbean via London.

 

Wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh, Jr., and all-rounder Marlon Samuels arrived from India, where they were members of Brian Lara's side which lost the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy to Australia.

 

"We are getting ready for the tournament and we are quite excited about being here," Barthley said from the team hotel.

 

"We were here last year and lost out to India in the Final, so we would like to go one better this time around.

 

"From the look of the other teams, you can see the calibre of the tournament is moving up. There are a number of former Test players, or fringe players taking part, so it's going to be tough competition out here."

 

The tournament will be played on Saturday and Sunday at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

 

On the opening day, India and West Indies will renew rivalries in a repeat of last year's Cup final in Pool 1.

 

Indian captain Robin Singh will be aiming to inspire his troops to a repeat of their memorable four-wicket success last year and West Indies will be intent on avenging that loss.

 

Pool 1 will be completed by Australia, who are still waiting to win the Butani Cup and the cheque for US $100,000.

 

Four-time winners England will be confident of progressing from Pool 2, where they have been drawn against South Africa and New Zealand, making a return to the Sixes after a three-year absence.

 

In Pool 3, hosts Hong Kong will face Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who have also won the title four times.

 

;; windiescricket.com