Kevin O’Brien, the man who holds the record for the fastest World Cup century, against England at this year’s tournament in India, will lead a powerful Ireland team for the Karp Group Hong Kong Sixes at the Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC)next month.

O’Brien, who stunned England with a blistering century off just 50 balls which resulted in Ireland successfully chasing down a total of 328, will captain a team that includes five of his World Cup teammates as the leading international cricket associate member makes its debut in Hong Kong.

O’Brien’s older brother Niall will keep wicket, while opening batsman Paul Stirling is another who looks perfectly suited to Sixes, having smashed an explosive century off just 72 balls which guided Ireland to victory over the Netherlands at the World Cup.

Left-arm spinner George Dockrell is also included, along with Alex Cusack and John Mooney, with the only uncapped player being Max Sorensen.

It’s a perfect platform for us to get a look at Max, and see how he makes the step up,” said Ireland’s West Indian coach Phil Simmons. “From what I’ve seen, he’s exactly the type of cricketer I’m looking for. He can bowl quick, hits the ball far and is an exceptional fielder who is supremely fit.”

Ireland has been drawn alongside defending champions Australia, England and Bangladesh at the October 28-30 Hong Kong Sixes. After the heroics at the World Cup, opponents will ignore Ireland at their peril.

Fans are looking forward to another exciting Hong Kong Cricket Sixes (Pic: Chingwai Li/Sixes FaceBook Group)

First-ever T20

In addition to playing in the tournament, one player from the Ireland side will be invited to face the Hong Kong Cricket All Stars in a nine-aside T20 match on Friday afternoon at 3.00pm. The match will be the first international T20 match ever held in Hong Kong.

“This is a very strong side and one which is capable of upsetting anyone on their day. We saw what they did to England at the World Cup and I’m sure none of their pool opponents will take Ireland lightly,” said Shahzada Saleem, president of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA).

Both Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling were amongst the shortlisted players for the ICC Associates and Affiliates 2011 Player of the Year which was ultimately won by Ryan ten Doeschate of the Netherlands, who will figure for the All Stars at the Karp Group Hong Kong Sixes.

Ireland and Scotland will make their debut at the highly-anticipated tournament which has been expanded to 12 teams and three days of competition this year.

The shorter format will continue to play a big part of Ireland’s calendar next year, with the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier taking place in the United Arab Emirates in March, with the top two from the 16-team event going on to the finals in Sri Lanka in September.

With a lot at stake, the stage is set for Ireland to make a stunning debut at the Hong Kong Sixes.

Ireland squad:

Kevin O’Brien (Gloucestershire, capt), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Somerset), John Mooney (North County), Niall O’Brien (Northants), Max Sorensen (The Hills), Paul Stirling (Middlesex)

With the support of the Hong Kong Tourism Commission’s Mega Events Fund, the Karp Group Cricket Sixes 2011 is set to be the biggest and best clash in the 19-year history of the Tournament. The Hong Kong Sixes has been an official “M Mark” event since 2004.

For all the latest on Rugby Sevens as well as the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes add me @BlitzBokke

Bruce Fowler from the South African Association in Hong Kong (SAAHK) mailed to say that the very first Imbizo (get-together) of the Association will be held at The Canny Man in Wan Chai.

He writes:

The Canny Man is in the basement of the Wharney Guang Dong Hotel, 51 – 73 Lockhart Road Wanchai, from 6:30 pm onwards on Wednesday, 16th February.

Please make every effort to join us for this first Imbizo of 2011 and we particularly welcome all newcomers to Hong Kong and to SAAHK.

The Canny Man’s full-size pool table (Pic: Mike Jansen)

You can also use the occasion to speak to Bruce about this year’s Sevens Dinner, where Springbok legend Morne Du Plessis will be the guest-speaker.

See you there…

Kevin McBarron from The Canny Man says:

Tell the taxi driver: ‘Whamy ji ding, lockhart doh, wanzai!’

Here’s Kevin making his YouTube debut:

The Canny Man‘s posters all read “An oasis in WanChai” but I personally like the one I saw on a video today:

“A football-free zone.”

OK, so South Africa just recently hosted a very successful football World Cup but man… a month of football is probably as much football as I can take!  Truth be told, I’ve probably seen enough round-ball “action” to last me till the next World Cup.  Which is probably a good thing, what with the RUGBY WORLD CUP in Zealand looming in 2011.

I am currently teaching a bridging course for new Secondary 1 students in Lok Fu and one of my colleagues is none other than the former Hong Kong rugby captain Semi Iafeta.  Apologies to Semi, but I didn’t recognise him until I did a bit of “research” online today.  However, in my defense Semi, your hair used to be a lot longer!  Like most international rugby boys here in Hong Kong, Semi Iafeta is a semi-professional who makes his living teaching in Hong Kong.

Semi Iafeta with ball in hand, playing for Hong Kong

It seems that the big Number 8 is also quite the video producer, having produced the video about The Canny Man I mentioned earlier:

My pal Kevin over at the Canny Man loves his footy.

His establishment, in the basement of the Wharney Guandong Hotel in Wan Chai is also one of the local watering holes that stock our very own Castle Lager Beer.

If you haven’t heard, or if you’ve been locked up by the PLA at their headquarters on Hong Kong Island for the last 2 weeks, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana national team plays France in a crunch-match in Port Elizabeth tonight. (Tuesday June 22, 10pm)

Bafana Bafana (or The Boys) has to win this game convincingly and hope that the other game between Mexico and Uruguay also go their way, in order for them to stay in the tournament.  If not (and it’s a very possible NOT) the South African team will become the first-ever host nation to be eliminated in the first round of a World Cup.

Back to Wan Chai.  The Canny Man is offering a free Castle Lager if you join them for the game (kick-off 10pm).  They will also be giving away bottles of Rooiberg Brut sparkling wine whenever Bafana Bafana scores.  If not they will raffle it.

Contact Kevin or any of the staff at The Canny Man on 2861 1935 to book a table.  Directions to The Canny Man can be found here