Former Aussie Keeper Ryan Campbell picked for Hong Kong Squad
Former Australian wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell has been picked for the ICC T20 World Cup by his adoptive nation Hong Kong. The 43-year-old, who last played for Australia in 2002 has certainly been given a new lease of life.
Ryan Campbell moved to Hong Kong in 2012 after accepting a coaching role for local cricket club Kowloon CC. Campbell also represented them as a player, becoming perhaps their most successful player. he scored 160 runs in five Hong Kong Premier League matches played in September 2015. His success has finally landed him a berth in the national; side.
“I’m there to mentor them as I have done for so long,” he said. “It has been a while (since I played international cricket), but if you look at my numbers I think I’m still one of the best batsmen in Hong Kong. Brad Hogg is still going around for the Scorchers and I must admit he’s inspired me a bit to say age is just a number.”
Simon Cook, the head coach of the Hong Kong national cricket team admitted the importance of having the former Aussie international in the ranks. “His form in Hong Kong has been good in Premier League and Sunday games for Kowloon Cricket Club. One of the things that we learned about our last World T20 tournament is that having that ability to think clearly in high-pressure situations is critical and Ryan’s experience will be an enormous help in that regard.”
Ryan Campbell made his debut for the Australian national side on 17th January 2002. Playing against a strong New Zealand side at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Campbell opened the batting with Mark Waugh, scoring a fine 38. He was ignored by the Australian selectors until he got his next opportunity in December that year against Sri Lanka in Perth. In spite of Australia coming away with the win, Campbell was ignored by the selectors and ceased to play for the Aussies again.
That said, Ryan Campbell certainly has a new lease of life as he will now don the colors of his adoptive home, Hong Kong in the World T20 Championships. The tournament is scheduled to begin on the 8th of March 2016.
Hong Kong squad for Asia Cup: Tanwir Afzal (capt), Mark Chapman (vice-capt), Haseeb Amjad, Nadeem Ahmed, Tanwir Ahmed, Waqas Barkat, Christopher Carter, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Waqas Khan, Adil Mehmood, Kinchit Shah, Ninad Shah, Anshuman Rath.
Hong Kong squad for World T20: Tanwir Afzal (capt), Mark Chapman (vice-capt), Haseeb Amjad, Nadeem Ahmed, Tanwir Ahmed, James Atkinson, Waqas Barkat, Ryan Campbell, Christopher Carter, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Waqas Khan, Kinchit Shah, Anshuman Rath.
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