The 2009 Sixes will feature defending champions England, alongside Australia (2008 runners-up ), India (headlined by Anil Kumble), New Zealand, South Africa (2007 champions), Sri Lanka, Pakistan and hosts Hong Kong (who finished in their best ever fourth place over-all last year).

Tournament organisers announced that the eight teams will contest the 2009 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes in two Groups:

Southern Hemisphere:

Hong Kong, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Northern Hemisphere:

England, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.

(Video: Announcing the 2 Groups for the 2009 HK Sixes)

Playmore, a Hong Kong-based sports apparel brand, will outfit the eight squads in dynamic new team kits, while the event has once again received the coveted “M Mark” status from the Hong Kong Government denoting its status as a “Major Event” for the city.

Captain Shahzada Saleem Ahmed, President of the Hong Kong Cricket Association, commented:

“The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is one of cricket’s most exciting tournaments, something that that the ICC has acknowledged with our participation in its “Catch the Spirit” celebrations in 2009.

This year, we are confident of seeing another extremely competitive Hong Kong Cricket Sixes and are delighted to announce that the first step in that process is Anil Kumble returning to Hong Kong, where he was incredibly popular in 2007.”

(Video: Captain Saleem presides over the media launch)