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Daswani Scores 77 as Hong Kong Rout Korea

Hong Kong fresh from their opening day win against China took on a Korean team looking for their first win of the competition. Captain Mariko Hill won the toss and elected to bat first in humid conditions on what looked an excellent pitch at Kowloon Cricket Club.

Yasmin Daswani, who top scored in Hong Kong’s impressive opening win, is in a rich vein of form and quickly set out to pressure the Korean attack with a number of back foot cuts and pulls. Hong Kong progressed smoothly to 35 for no loss after 6 overs.

Korea made the initial breakthrough with Gill finding herself short of her the crease after being sent back by Daswani and then struck quickly again with Chan being caught off the bowling of Park. Captain Hill strode to the crease at 45-2 with plenty of overs left to bat. Daswani continued to punish any error in length particularly through the leg side. At the halfway stage Hong Kong were nicely placed at 65-2 with Daswani on 34 and Hill on 12.

The Hong Kong innings then accelerated with 50 runs coming in the next 4 overs and Daswani reached her second successive half century with a beautiful shot through mid-wicket. With 4 overs to go Hong Kong were 121-2 with Daswani on 60 and Hill on 30 and looked set for the second successive 160+ score.

Tight Korean bowling kept the score in check. The 100 partnership arrived in the 19^th over before Daswani was run-out in the final over for an excellent 77. Hong Kong finished on 151-3 with Hill unbeaten on 40.

The Korean opening pair of Kim and Baek hoped for a strong start to the chase. Ho opening the bowling from the far end picked up 2 wickets in the opening over dismissing Baek caught and bowled for 0 and Choi first ball. The Korean batswomen struggled to score in the face of some tight bowling by Ho and Chan.

The introduction of left arm spin in the form of Chan Sau Har proved an instant success with 2 quick wickets reducing Korea to 29-4 inside the first 9 overs. Shahzad was bought into the action and instantly got amongst the wickets dismissing Song.

Kary Chan added some icing to the cake by picking up two late wickets to hand Hong Kong a comfortable victory by 92 runs. Hong Kong go into tomorrow’s dead rubber, and final preview, against Japan full of confidence.

Result: Hong Kong 151-3 beat Korea 59-8 by 92 runs

Player of the Match: Yasmin Daswani (77 runs)

Full scorecard here

East Asia T20 Cup: Daswani Stars as Hong Kong Beat China

Game 2 of the 2017 East Asia T20 Cup saw the hosts Hong Kong take on China. Matches between these two fierce rivals have traditionally been keenly fought contests.

Birthday woman Yasmin Dawani ensured that this latest contest played at the Hong Kong Cricket Club was only ever going to end in a Hong Kong victory.

China’s captain Li Haoyue called correctly and China elected to field first.

Hong Kong’s opening pair of Daswani and Gill strode out purposefully and proceeded to take the attack to the Chinese bowlers during the initial power play period. Some fine attacking strokes from Daswani accompanied by some smart batting from Gill saw the partnership reach 50 in the 8^th over. Daswani in particular was keen to seize on any errors in line and length from the Chinese attack.

Hong Kong were well set at 80 for no loss after 11 overs with a total of 170+ looking possible given the hosts talented attacking middle order. The 100 partnership between Daswani and Gill coincided with an excellent half century for Daswani.

Chinese final broke the opening partnership at the start of the 17th with the score on 130 when the impressive Zhongyuan comprehensively bowled Gill for a well-made 35. China’s bowlers battled through the full 20 overs and did well to restrict Hong Kong 161-3.

Yasmin Daswani with an excellent 71 not out held the innings together for Hong Kong and China will be happy with the way that they bowled and fielded in the last 5 overs where at one stage 180+ looked likely.

China’s opening pair of Caiyun and Yanling started off positively against the experienced new ball pairing of Chan and Hill. Chan was the first to make the breakthrough with Caiyun well caught by Ho at mid-off with the score on 14.

Chan picked up hers and Hong Kong’s second wicket with an excellent diving catch by Chan Sau Har at extra cover with the score on 16. Annie Ho grabbed the 3^rd wicket after Yanling chipped the ball to captain Hill at short mid-wicket.

Ho was again in the action taking an athletic catch at mid-off to gift Gill a wicket in her opening over reducing China to 20-4 after 8 overs.

Some excellent batting from Z Chan (35) in the middle part of the innings kept China moving forwards as they finished on 75-5 after 20 overs and her form will be a plus for the team as they move into the later stages of this tournament.

Hong Kong’s fielding display was full of energy throughout with some excellent catches taken and high standards within the inner circle.

Overall, a comprehensive and clinical win for Hong Kong with Daswani the star. For China, they are lessons to be learned from today’s performance and much is expected of them over the weekend.

Result: Hong Kong 161-3 beat China 75-5 by 86 runs

Player of the Match: Yasmin Daswani (Hong Kong)

Full scorecard here:

Opening Bat, Yasmin Daswani

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/ICCWorldCup-HKvNepal-9Oct2016/i-ngZTPZ4

Ahead of the Women’s East Asia Cup bc spoke to Hong Kong’s new opening batswoman Yasmin Daswani about cricket, life and the desire to score her first century.

How did you start playing cricket?
I started playing in 2006 when my mum and I joined the HKCC Cavaliers. I was 12 and my mum wanted to us do a “mother daughter activity” together. Growing up in Hong Kong, my brother and I had little/ no connection to our Indian roots, and my mom thought that cricket (as one of the sports India excels at) would give us some connection to our heritage!

What skills do you need to make it as a cricketer?
A common misconception is that cricket involves a lot of standing around. Nowadays, in order to make it as a professional cricketer you need to be fit, strong, have good hand-eye coordination and stamina. Cricket involves diving around to stop the ball, sprinting between wickets as well as bowling, batting and throwing.

What does playing for Hong Kong mean to you?
I am honored to to represent Hong Kong. This is my home and it always gives me goosebumps seeing the Hong Kong flag at games.

Are HK women’s cricketer’s amateurs or professional? What do you do to pay the bills?
HK women cricketers are currently amateurs and are unpaid. We are hoping to change this by performing well in the next few tournaments, as doing so could secure vital funding for women’s cricket as a sport.

Earlier this year I worked at Cricket Hong Kong as a High Performance Assistant. I loved this role as I was able to get involved in tournaments such as the T20 Blitz and Netherlands Series. As we have gotten closer to the women’s tournaments, however, I have preferred to work more flexibly as an English tutor to support myself financially.

Best moment as a Hong Kong cricketer
Being awarded Player of the Tournament at an Under 19s tournament in Singapore.

What’s the state of women’s cricket in Hong Kong today?
Having come back to Hong Kong after being abroad at University, I was pleased to see how women’s cricket has progressed while I was studying. The number of participating teams has increased to a point where we now have a second development league. This is ideal as it provides a pathway for younger players.

While this is positive, the teams in the top league are still not as competitive as we would like them to be. Many clubs are still reliant on one or two national players—once these players are out a batting collapse usually follows. More needs to be done to develop younger players and to give them the opportunity to play at a high level- particularly since there is no longer an ACC Under 19 set up.

In addition, women’s cricket in Hong Kong is limited by a lack of facilities. Women are not able to play/ train on turf wickets regularly, which puts us at a disadvantage given that international games are usually played on turf.

With the long gaps in the international schedule how easy / difficult is it to improve and create a team feel?
There are significant gaps in the women’s international schedule- our last tournament was in September 2016! With such long gaps it is hard to build momentum and to keep motivated.

Our team has excellent rapport, however, and we drive each other to improve by encouraging friendly competition among ourselves- you should hear the sledging that takes place during league games! It really helps that we all get along so well, as even when we don’t have tournaments we are extremely active and push each other to train hard.

What are yours / the team’s aspirations?
Personally I want to score a century, my current highest score is 95. Team wise our current aspirations are to place first in the East Asia Cup and to qualify from the November World Cup Qualifiers. Doing so would give us HKSI points and would allow us to be paid as professional athletes. This would be life-changing, particularly as many players currently have to balance a full time job with the arduous demands of training-often at unsociable hours before and after work.

Do you feel you’ve reached your potential as a cricketer, or could you get better by perhaps playing overseas?
I took a hiatus from cricket while at University, and have found that since coming back I have been able to look at my game with a fresh pair of eyes. As the standard of women’s cricket in countries like Australia and England is much higher, I do believe that I could enhance my game by learning from more experienced female players abroad.

What advice would you give to women who are interested in playing cricket in Hong Kong?
Now is such an exciting time to be coming to the sport! Women’s cricket is developing rapidly with the ICC committed to provide more funding and structure in future years. For the first time ever we are able to watch every ball of every game in a Women’s World Cup, and the coverage for women’s cricket is only going to grow.

For youngsters wanting to represent Hong Kong in the future – I would say go for it 100%. Cricket is a such a sociable, fun sport and it cultivates a culture of respect towards your teammates, the opposition and the umpires. I have made lifelong friends playing cricket and will always treasure my years playing in and for Hong Kong.

What are your plans going forward?
I am currently on a (second!) gap year having finished university and secured a law job in London. I have been really lucky as my firm have been understanding of my cricket aspirations – they have allowed me to defer my start date until I have finished playing in the upcoming tournaments. In September 2018 I will start my job, however I will continue to play cricket with the Finchley Gunns in London. After I finish my training contract I want continue to play for Hong Kong!

Women’s East Asia Cup 2017
Date: 21-24 September, 2017
Venue: HKCC, KCC, Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground
Tickets: Free
More info:
21 Sept – HKCC
22 Sept – KCC
23-24 Sept – Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground

Women’s East Asia Cup 2017

Hong Kong will host the Women’s East Asia Cup featuring the hosts, Japan, China and Korea from September 21-24. HK Cricket have announced a 14 woman squad for the tournament which includes debutant Bella Poon.

The team, led by all-rounder Mariko Hill, is looking to improve on it’s performance in last year’s World Cup qualifiers where they squandered some good positions. The East Asia Cup serves as an important part of the squads build-up to the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifiers in November.

Coach Richie Waite has been putting the players through their paces over the summer and is in confident mood ahead of the tournament. The squad has been doing extra conditioning sessions said Waite “Players have been put through skill set sessions. We have made good progress over the last 2 months and go into the tournament with only a winning mentality.”

“It gives us an opportunity to test ourselves and I am looking forward to seeing them translate their hard work into first-class performances on the pitch.”

As for the squad, Waite said the selectors had tried to ensure it well-rounded “The squad gives us good options across all disciplines, Mariko shows great leadership on and off the field and is determined to lead this squad forward. Our preparation for the upcoming tournament has been very good.”

Hong Kong East Asia Cup Squad:
Mariko Hill (Capt), Kary Chan (Vice-Capt), Jenefer Davies, Emma Lai, Shanzeen Shahzad, Yasmin Daswani, Keenu Gill, Natural Yip, Ka Man (Betty) Chan, Ruchi Venketesh, Pull To, Chan Sa Ha, Annie Ho, Bella Poon

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers Match Report: Hong Kong v Thailand – 15 October, 2016

Hong Kong who began the tournament so brightly ended it with four consecutive defeats. The bowling was pretty good throughout the tournament with different players stepping up each game. But too many batswomen were out of form and not even able to rotate the strike – putting extra pressure on the two players who were making runs.

While Hong Kong’s tight bowling caused a lot of run-outs, in general Hong Kong’s fielding was not on a par with the other teams taking part. And with four pretty evenly matched sides, it’s the little things that make the difference.

After losing to Thailand on the final day of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers Hong Kong finished bottom of the table at the end of the round robin tournament. Thailand won the championship and booked a place in the global qualifiers for the England 2017 World Cup.

Hong Kong had a shaky start to the match, losing three wickets in the first four overs. Moved to the opener, Keenu Gill scored 11 runs from 14 balls.

Captain Mariko Hill scored 11 off the same number of balls, but her short time in the crease was a major blow for the home team.

Playing for the first time in this tournament, Wing-Ki Lai scored 16, while Yasmin Daswani provided 17 runs coming in at number 7.

Thailand Captain and all-rounder Sornnarin Tippoch (pictured) did most of the damage, with 2/11.

Thailand’s chase was strong from the start despite losing a wicket in the third over. Opener Sirintra Saensakorat smashed a team-high 36 including 4 fours.

Eventual Player of the Tournament Sornnarin Tippoch scored 17 to give Thailand a fifth win out of six games in the tournament.

“I think everyone came off the field saying ‘we’ve tried our best’. We put our hearts out to the very end.” said Hong Kong Captain and Batsman of the Tournament Mariko Hill.

“This was my first tournament in Hong Kong. The support was awesome. It means a lot. I have never gotten Batsman of the Tournament before. Mentally, I was never strong. Getting this award, for my batting especially, really puts confidence to myself,” said Hill.

Match Summary
Hong Kong 83/7 (20 overs)
Thailand 86/3 (18.5 overs)
Thailand won by 7 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)
Scoreboard: www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1059680.html

Additional reporting and image: HK Cricket Association

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers Match Report: Hong Kong v China – 14 October, 2016

Hong Kong’s World Cup aspirations ended when they were not able to beat China, as the teams split the two ‘Cross-border Derbies’ at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers. China have bounced back from being 0-3 to win two matches in a row. While Hong Kong having won their first two games have lost three in a row.

Aggressive running from China and some missed fielding from the home team contributed to China’s total of 114. On the flip side, the running and occasional miscommunications between batsmen resulted in four run-outs for China.

But the 71-run partnership between Feng-Feng Song (36 off 34) and Zhuo Huang (31 off 34) was killer partnership for Hong Kong.

Two wickets in each of the 12th and 14th overs gave Hong Kong some hope, but Cai-Yun Zhou’s 16 off 9 towards the end made it a strong total for the visitors.

Hong Kong’s chase did not pick up enough pace until Captain Mariko Hill entered at number four. She continued her recent form scoring 38 off 35 balls. But she didn’t have the support needed and they were 18 runs short of the target after 20 overs.

Juan Wu of China was the key limiting Hong Kong’s score with 3/11.

“We had a great first over (bowling), we took one wicket and lost only one run. But after the first over things started to turn around,” said Mariko Hill after the match. “We have got nothing to lose now. There is still an Asia Cup spot left. We are going to fight our heart out.”

Match Summary
China 114 all out (19 overs)
Hong Kong 96/6 (20/20 ov)
China won by 18 runs
Scoreboard: www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1059678.html

Additional reporting and image: Hong Kong Cricket Association

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers Match Report: Hong Kong v Nepal – 13 October, 2016

Poor batting and game management by Hong Kong, especially their senior players, saw Nepal survive a nail-biting finish to beat the hosts by 6 runs and draw level in second-placed in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup -Asia Qualifiers on four points.

Batting first, Nepal’s innings was salvaged by number eight batter and eventual Player of the Match Karuna Bhandari. Her 19 not out, off 27 balls in the last six overs of the innings proved to be the difference. Indu Barma’s 15 in the first half of the innings was also crucial to Nepal’s 75 runs in total.

Hong Kong’s spinner Ka-Man Chan picked up where she left off before the rest day, taking for 3/11. Keenu Gill was also a consistent performer with 2/9.

Hong Kong’s response started off well with opener Ka-Ying Chan’s 18 off 21 and Keenu Gill’s 10 off 19. Captain Mariko Hill scored 13 off 16 from number 5. But Hong Kong collapsed going from 33/1 to 58/9. After an elaborate celebration of Mariko Hill’s wicket – who was out looking to smash the ball around, when with Hong Kong’s required run-rate at less than three an over all that was needed was for her to milk the singles, rotate the strike and stay there till the end – Nepal’s bowlers calmed themselves and finally picked up the last wicket with two overs and two balls left.

Karuna Bhandari was the top wicket taker with 3/17, capping an all-round performance.

“It was disappointing today. I thought we bowled and fielded really well. We just panicked on the bat. It was uncharacteristic of the girls today,” said Hong Kong Women’s Coach Charlie Burke.

“Credit to Nepal, they kept fighting and fought really well. It shows how close this competition is. These are four sides which competed very well over the last six years. We are going to play China (tomorrow) who are very confident after their win today. Last game against Thailand, so it will be interesting to see the Thailand versus Nepal game tomorrow. We can only control what we can do and see what happens,” added Burke.

Both matches tomorrow will be played at Hong Kong Cricket Club, with Thailand vs Nepal at 9:30 am and China vs Hong Kong at 2:00 pm. Entry is free.

Match Summary
Nepal 75/8 (20 overs)
Hong Kong 69 all out (17.4 overs)
Nepal Women won by 6 runs
Scorecard: www.espncricinfo.com/hkg/content/team/19.html

Additioanl reporting and image: HK Cricket Association

Thailand beat Hong Kong by 17 Runs

Thailand remain the only unbeaten team at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup – Asia Qualifiers after a 17-run victory over hosts Hong Kong at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Thailand struggled loosing four wickets in the first seven overs with just 17 runs on the board. Hong Kong Captain Mariko Hill took two of the wickets and off spinner Ka-Man Chan bowled a superb three maiden spell and took a wicket.

Thailand’s Captain Sornnarin Tippocj and Naruemol Chaiwai strong 63-run fifth wicket partnership, the best in the tournament so far, pushed the total to 90 for 6 after 20 overs.

Hong Kong’s chase started poorly with the first four wickets falling within nine overs, and none of the top order batters reaching double figures. As in their first two games Hong Kong failed to effectively rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking over and this time it cost them.

Keenu Gill provided some hope for Hong Kong, scoring 19 runs, and Chloe Ip contributed 14 runs.

Thailand’s Medium Pace Bowler Chanida Sutthiruang took 3/13 with one maiden. Sornnarin Tippocj was named Player of the Match for the second time in the tournament.

“I thought our opening bowlers did really well, but in the middle we struggled a bit,” said Hong Kong Captain Mariko Hill after the match. “I thought we started off really well. There were lots of positive intent, but at the same time we were making the same mistakes. We need that one solid batsman from the top five to stay until the 19th over to see off the innings, but that never really happened today,” said Hill.

Match Summary
Thailand 90/6 (20 overs)
Hong Kong 73/8 (20 overs)
Thailand won by 17 runs
Scorecard: www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1059674

Points Table after first round of matches

Additional reporting and images: HK Cricket Association