14 November 2006

Led by a captain's knock from Nicky Boje, South Africa won the Hong Kong Sixes title for the second time when they defeated Pakistan by 12 runs in the final at the Kowloon Cricket Club on the weekend.

The team's previous victory was achieved way back in 1995.

Boje set up South Africa's victory in the final by bashing 32 runs off only 14 deliveries, which helped earn him man of the match honours. Tyron Henderson also excelled, smashing an unbeaten 31 off 14 balls.

Set 103 to win, Pakistan managed 91 runs, giving South Africa a reasonably comfortable victory.

Other victories
Earlier in the competition, Boje and company beat New Zealand by seven runs, England by 28 runs, Hong Kong by nine runs, and the West Indies by 35 runs.

In congratulating the team on their achievement, Cricket South Africa's CEO, Gerald Majola, said: "This was a fine effort, with Nicky Boje leading from the front.

"This victory shows again that South Africa is one of the top nations in world limited-overs cricket."

India, the defending champions, finished third after beating the West Indies in the playoff, after having earlier been on the end of an amazing Pakistan batting performance in the semi-final. Pakistan smashed their way to 132 with Yasir Arafat taking five sixes off one over.

Major upset
The host nation, Hong Kong, produced the major upset of the event when they crushed England by 47 runs in the fifth/sixth place play-off.

Despite having the likes of Dominic Cork and Darren Gough in their line-up, England struggled in the field as Hong Kong reached 92. Mal Loye then fell for a first-ball duck and they could only muster 45 in reply.

The Hong Kong Sixes tournament rules stipulate that everyone bowls one over with the exception of the wicketkeeper and games are played between two teams of six players, and each game consists of five six-ball overs bowled by each side.

SA Hong Kong Sixes Squad

	Nicky Boje pulls a short ball to mid wicket (Photo: South African Tourism)

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