Sports

Sports

ASIA CUP 2004
Hong Kong: ‘New kids on the block’
By Pelham Juriansz
Termed as the "New kids on the block" as far as the Asia Cup is concerned, Hong Kong cricket is a relatively unknown quality and quantity to us Sri Lankans, but according to the Manager of the team, their main aim is to "make an impression" in this Tournament but this is yet to be seen. At the time of writing the match against Bangladesh, which is one of the "curtain raiser" matches has begun and as the Manager of the side said they have preferred to bat second and put the opposition in. Perhaps the fact that the SSC pitch traditionally has a little bit of life and juice in it in the morning session means that some captains on winning the toss put the opposition in. This is not always a negative move. A few early wickets for a side that are the "babes of cricket" as far as the Asian Cricket Cup is concerned is a big prize indeed. Labelled probably as the weakest side in the Tournament the word "minnows" could be applied to them. Hong Kong, though is out to prove a point.

As the "Sunday Times" interview took place at the SSC Nets at a time when the practice session was in progress at the Nets, the coach Robin Singh was bowling to his "charges." He is no "Robin Hood the Prince of coaches" and he is not expected to pull something out of the hat for a team that could be termed a number six in the tournament, if there is a thing called a ranking in this Asian Cup.

The Manager himself acknowledged the fact that if they pull off a win against the Bangladeshis it would be an amazing feat. Rahul is a common name in this Tournament, but this is a different kind of Rahul leading the Hong Kong outfit. Dravid is the Indian version and Sharma though having an Indian name is the skipper of the Hong Kong squad. Sharma is skippering a team, which is relatively new to "Big" time cricket.

Being a right hand bat and a left arm bowler he is regarded as an all-rounder leading a side of all -rounders. The vice skipper of the side is wicket keeper Tim Smart, who is also an opening bat of the right- handed variety.

This duo has a big job on their hands as they face Bangladesh in the opening game. Then the next big assignment is with the mighty Pakistanis on Sunday at the SSC but the attention will be focused that day on a bigger encounter at Dambulla where Sri Lanka meet India. It would be kind of David and Goliath match with it being anyone's guess as to who is David and who is Goliath. But even then it must be remembered that David defeated Goliath and it is not unusual for such a thing to happen.

Being a mixed side "A rather cosmopolitan side with so many "Expats," is how it was described by the Manager, making up the team, spiced with some Chinese and some Indians thrown in for good measure the team is a blend of different communities.

Being in the same Group with Bangladesh and Pakistan, they are considered along with the UAE as the weakest teams in the Tournament. As for them doing well in the Tournament, Hong Kong is one the younger sides in the Tournament.

"We have nothing to lose," said the Manager. "So the pressure is on the Bangladeshis and Pakistanis to win as they are considered the better sides in the group. According to the points system that is being followed for this Tournament Bangladesh and Pakistan will be hard pressed to win".

Q: What is your strategy for winning the games?
A: Hong Kong is in a relatively easy group with the stronger group being the other one with India, Sri Lanka and UAE.
A team with a number of all-rounders, coached by Robin Singh, a utility player himself, maybe they could be described as "bits and pieces" players.

Q: How could you rate your team with the Bangladesh team?
A: Good, though it is too early to comment.

Q: How would you rate your team with the UAE team?
A: In the Asia Cricket Championship (ACC), UAE won so they could be classified as the better side, though of course the possibility of the two sides meeting is very unlikely at this stage of the competition.

For this to take place the Hong Kong team has to be placed second in their Group and UAE will also have to be placed at least second in their group to progress to the next stage.

As cricket is a game of "glorious uncertainties" it is especially difficult to predict a game in the one- day version. In Test cricket alone it is not an easy matter to predict a winner and it is hoped that the minnows would create an upset by winning their matches against Pakistan or the other side Bangladesh.

Top