“This is one of the most exciting developments in Hong Kong Cricket history”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
The Sydney Sixers have signed Hong Kong leg-spinner Li Kai Ming as their Big Bash League (BBL) community rookie for the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Li developed his skill and honed his game by watching videos of legendary Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne on YouTube and his addition to the BBL community rookie programme has been hailed by Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) CEO Tim Cutler as a huge development for the country.
“This is one of the most exciting developments in Hong Kong Cricket history,” Cutler said. “We do hope this is the start of a great relationship with the Sydney Sixers and New South Wales Cricket.
“We believe this is the first time any Hong Kong sportsperson has participated in such an elite ‘franchise’ tournament and we can’t wait to see the positive effect Ming’s BBL involvement will have on the already rapid development within the growing Chinese cricket community.
“With the Hong Kong team competing in next year’s ICC World Twenty20, it will not only give Ming a head start in preparations but also allow him an insight into some of the best players in T20 cricket.”
While Ming will not officially be part of the Sixers’ playing squad for the BBL, there is a chance that he could be promoted as a replacement player, which is what happened to Zimbabwe all-rounder Solomon Mire while he was with the Melbourne Renegades two seasons ago.