BIG-HITTING WARNER TO BOOST AUSSIE QUEST AT HONG KONG CRICKET SIXES
 Hong Kong, November 4, 2010 – Big-hitting opener David Warner has been drafted into the Australian squad at the last minute for the Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes at the Kowloon Cricket Club this weekend.
Left-handed dynamo Warner has been called up to replace the injured Daniel Christian and will be a powerful addition to the team bidding to win its first Hong Kong title.
Warner, 23, made history when he was picked to represent Australia in 2008 in a Twenty20 game against South Africa despite not having played a single game of first-class cricket. He was the first player to do so in 132 years. He made a stunning debut and went on to represent Australia at the Twenty20 World.
"We are delighted he is coming," said Dinesh Tandon, Hong Kong Cricket Association chairman. "He is one of the biggest hitters in the game and fans will be well entertained."
Warner is not a stranger to Hong Kong having played in this tournament two years ago when Australia reached the final, only to lose to England in a tied game. England won by virtue of losing fewer wickets.
With Warner back in the team, Australis will be a force to reckon with but fans will also have to watch out for young guns Ryan Carters (20 years), Tom Cooper (23) and Glenn Maxwell (21) to produce the fireworks with all three having played in the recent Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa.
In addition, 20-year-old Tim Armstrong was a member of the victorious Australian Under-19 World Cup squad earlier this year.
The team will be coached once again by former international player John Davison who is also senior coach with Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence.
"It's an enjoyable tournament to be involved with and something a little different for the players which I'm sure they will enjoy," said Davison, who is also the CA Centre of Excellence spin bowling coach.
"Although we have a pretty young squad we have some players with good experience including some with international experience or exposure so I'm sure that will hold them in good stead.
"The tournament is short and sweet but it's a challenging format that most players have probably not played before so it should be good fun for them," Davison added.
Australia are pooled in the preliminary Bradman group with arch-rivals England, South Africa and Hong Kong. The Sobers pool comprises India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
A total prize money of US$150,000 is up for grabs and Australia will be hoping to win its first title. They came close two years ago when they were defeated by England in a thriller where the scores were tied at the end, and England edging through by virtue of losing fewer wickets.
Australia: Tim Armstrong (New South Wales), Ryan Carters (Victoria), David Warner (New South Wales), Tom Cooper (South Australia), Matthew Johnston (Western Australia), Glenn Maxwell (Victoria), Will Sheridan (Victoria).
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