Patel gets the nod to lead Six of the best

SAMIT PATEL will captain the MCC as they compete in the Hong Kong Sixes for the first time this weekend.

The MCC will take a side to the Asian nation in place of the ECB with John Simpson, Jack Leaning, Ryan Higgins, Rikki Clarke, Darren Stevens and Gareth Berg joining Patel in the side.

The tournament takes place this weekend at Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong. It is a six-a-side competition and sees each side face just five overs, with everyone bar the wicketkeeper bowling one over.

MCC Head of Cricket John Stephenson said: “We are very excited to be taking a team to the Hong Kong Sixes tournament. MCC has recently completed a successful tour of China and Hong Kong, and involvement in this event will continue to outline our commitment to growing the game in this area of the world.

“We have selected a strong squad with a good amount of international experience amongst it, and we look forward to playing exciting, competitive cricket in what is an innovative format of the game.”

Joining the MCC and hosts Hong Kong in the tournament will be sides from Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.

MCC squad for Hong Kong Sixes: Samit Patel (capt), John Simpson, Jack Leaning, Ryan Higgins, Rikki Clarke, Darren Stevens, Gareth Berg.