Hong Kong prepare for Dubai with Perth training camp

Hong Kong's cricketers have prepared for the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 2 with a week-long training camp in Perth, where the players had the chance to train alongside the likes of Adam Gilchrist and Brad Hogg.

"It's been a very useful team-bonding experience, the players lived four to an apartment, cooked together, washed together and really came closer together as a group," says national coach Charlie Burke.

Perth native and Western Australia grade cricketer Charlie Burke knew that conditions in his home town would be ideal preparation for the games in Dubai, due to the similarity in conditions.

"The interaction was great and it was a real eye-opener for the boys to see how hard someone like Adam Gilchrist who's retired from international cricket, although he still plays IPL, works. Boxing is a big part of Gilly's workouts and I'm a great believer in it too. It teaches balance, hand-eye co-ordination and discipline," says Hong Kong's coach.

The Pepsi ICC World Cricket League is a pathway for Associates and Affiliates to ICC High Performance training and funding and potential World Cup qualification. April's tournament in Dubai represents Hong Kong's highest position in the global rankings so far and Charlie is under no illusions as to how tough the event will be.

"We have targets and goals for the team and have been planning for this since the end of Division 3. The competition's strong and we've all done all we can to prepare. There's been a squad of 18 players who've been together continuously for the past eight or nine months who have come to understand their role in the side," says the coach.

ACC Development Officer Rumesh Ratnayake's been involved with Hong Kong for some years and is currently with the team in their final tune-ups at home before they head out to Dubai. He says, "They've been building on some improved performances in recent years and what's been a great advance is that they finally seem really committed to working hard at their games. Talent they've always had, now it seems they've got the desire to work on the areas that need improvement and it's good to see."