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Follow UsDid you know? The first edition of the Hong Kong Sixes was played THIRTEEN YEARS before the first official T20 match was played. Also, did you know? South Africa, who are yet to win an ICC trophy, have won the Sixes five times? To soon? Let’s move on to the rules then.
Also Read: Hong Kong Sixes is back, but will the cricketing fortunes return?
In simple terms, the Sixes is a T10 version of a T10. Each side will have six players, including a wicketkeeper. The 2024 edition will be a six-over contest where a bowler can bowl a maximum of two overs while the rest of the outfielders can bowl an over apiece. Moreover, wides and no-balls will count as two runs. As far as the batters are concerned, once you cross 50, he'll have to retire out, and if the rest of the batters are dismissed before the end of six overs, he can continue his innings. An innings will end once six wickets have fallen. The last batter will have a runner at the other end but will take strike for all balls.
The Sixes has seen many stalwarts take part in it, right from Sachin Tendulkar to David Warner. While a few have played the tournament on multiple occasions, it will be the first time for many. Let’s look at what a few of them have to say about the Sixes.
(All quotes as told to Cricket.com in exclusive chats)
JJ Smuts (South Africa)
Yeah, look, it's actually going to be my second time coming. If I remember correctly, I think it was around 2008 that I went to the Hong Kong Sixes. So obviously it would be nice to experience it again. It's an awesome tournament with an awesome atmosphere. Yeah, well, obviously, loads of fours and sixes, and it's very entertaining. I think that pretty much explains why you want to come back, especially as a batter, you want to whack it all around the ground. And I think it's a very enjoyable but very competitive tournament.
With the bat. It's pretty self-explanatory. You've kind of got four fielders, you need to practice hitting the ball for six, pretty much try and face as little balls as possible. And then, obviously as, as a bowler, it's about damage control. I think the fact is you're going to get whacked all over the show, but you got to make sure you try and go for as little runs as possible. But yeah, it's, it's a very difficult tournament for bowlers. I remember when I was here last time, you got whacked all over the park. But as I said too, it's, fun and entertaining. The game can literally change in the course of three balls or so. So it's very fun to watch and to be a part of.
Aizaz Khan (Hong Kong)
It’s great to hear that the Sixes are coming back, and I am extremely excited. Being brought up in Hong Kong, as a boy I was always very fond of the cricket sixes. It was always an opportunity to see big players from all around the world come and participate. My fondest memory of the tournament was when Hong Kong reached the Cup Final against South Africa [in 2009]. It was a huge achievement for the whole country and was amazing to be part of.
Being an all-rounder during the sixes is definitely most valued. To be able to bowl under pressure and execute deliveries such as slower balls and yorkers do come in handy. With the bat, of course, playing five overs a side, big hitting is a skill that you absolutely need to be successful.
Nizakat Khan (Hong Kong)
I am very excited about the return of Hong Kong International Sixes. My fondest memory is that in 2004, I came with my brother, and from there, I told myself that I wanted to be here one day and represent Hong Kong.
For the Sixes, six players play the game: one keeper, five fielders, and one bowler. If you have extraordinary skills, you will be successful. As for bowling, it's tough to bowl in Sixes. You need special skills for that, like slower balls, yorkers. Basically, Sixes is a batter’s tournament. Hard-hitting batters are more successful in Sixes, but it's good fun.
Fawad Ahmed (Australia)
I saw, saw David Warner and, and Glenn Maxwell play as well. So I just had a look, and I saw a lot of [them] play, but it used to be like on a different ground, but this time he's on a proper cricket ground. It's going to be hard to, you know, where to bowl and how to bowl, and it's only five overs, and you’ll get only one over, you know.
So yeah, I did play T10, so I did bowl two overs. I did have a really good success in T10. So I played like the last time was, was three years ago, I think and I had the best economy in the tournament. It'll be a good experience, you know, I have never been to Hong Kong so it will be a good experience.
Evan Jones (South Africa)
Yeah, well, [watched the tournament] growing up, but that was probably when I was between 10 to 18 years old. Very exciting tournament. Yeah, locked to the screens to watch a very exciting tournament. So to be part of it, I think it's going to be really cool, really exciting. In today's world of cricket, you never know what a tournament can mean for you as a cricketer.
I think that's the most exciting part. To see there's a couple of big, big names also playing in the tournament. So obviously to learn from them, rub shoulders with them, I think that, that that would be awesome, right?
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