Hoggard has faith in All-Stars batsmen

England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard is hoping his All-Star team-mates can do the work with the bat in this weekend’s Hong Kong Sixes.

Hoggard will line up alongside the world’s highest ranked batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, plus Sanath Jayasuriya, Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming and Tyron Henderson.

The awesome line-up means there are likely to be plenty of huge hits in the six-a-side competition at the Kowloon Cricket Club on Saturday and Sunday.

“If the ground is small enough you might see me hit a couple of sixes,” said Hoggard. “But I’ve got no intention of batting because we have so many great batsmen. If I have to go in, then we’re in trouble.”

Dougie Brown, who will play for England, lines up alongside the All-Stars' Stephen Fleming, Justin Langer, Matthew Hoggard and Tyron Henderson

The Yorkshire star expects all the bowlers to come in for some rough treatment at the showpiece tournament.

“If you’re going to play sixes, don’t be a bowler!” he advised. “Obviously, there are a lot of balls that are going to be disappearing into the crowd, but it’s great for the spectators and it’s a fantastic way to help make cricket popular.

“If you can sell out a ground with people watching cricket then that has to be a good thing for the game. Everyone has a great time and if they have a great time, then they’ll come back.”

The All-Stars – who also boast Chaminda Vaas in their seven-man squad – will start as favourites in the eight-team tournament.

And captain Fleming is hoping his new teammates play as well as they did when he faced them during his illustrious 111-test career.

“If they don’t bowl like they used to bowl to me, or bat the way they used to bat when I was fielding against them, I’ll be disappointed,” he added.

“Sanath Jayasuriya haunted me when I was playing and Chaminda Vaas used to get me out with his eyes shut, so if we don’t get wickets and runs then I’ll be upset!”

The All-Stars have been drawn in the Sobers group alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, Australia and hosts Hong Kong.

Langer coaches Hong Kong Under-19 women when Hoggard and Henderson also helped out

The Bradman Group will be contested by India, Pakistan, England and 2006 Sixes champions South Africa.

Meanwhile, Hoggard has given further assistance to young cricketers in Hong Kong by lending a helping hand to their women’s Under-19 team.

Hoggard was today involved in a coaching session with team-mates Langer, Fleming and Henderson.

Hoggard yesterday offered his expertise to a group of local school students ahead of this weekend’s competition.

Hong Kong women’s U19 coach said: “It’s great having these international cricketers come to our training.”
“It’s a thrill for the girls to meet their cricket idols and to have the opportunity to play with them and learn from them.

“We’re playing in an Asian tournament in Chiangmai in Thailand from December 11 to 24 and this is a fantastic way to prepare for that tour.”

The young Hong Kong players were given fielding practice, put through their bowling paces and then had the thrill of facing fast bowler Hoggard – 248 wickets in 67 test matches – in the nets.