Bryant's Twin Fifties Fire Australia to Perfect Hong Kong Sixes Start

Australia made a perfect start to the Hong Kong Sixes, winning both of their Group A matches on the opening day at the Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok. Skipper Max Bryant was the star of the show, smashing eight sixes in each of his two innings. First, his 13-ball 56 helped Australia post 135 and beat hosts Hong Kong, China by 28 runs, with Nick Hobson adding a 12-ball 40 and Chris Green an unbeaten 10-ball 36 as the hosts managed 107 for four in reply. Bryant then repeated the dose against England, hammering 56 from just 11 balls as Australia piled up 159 for four. Hobson chipped in with a half-century and Jack Wood added 40, while England's openers finished unbeaten — John Simpson with 54 from 12 balls and Martin Andersson with 50 from 22 — yet still fell 38 runs short. Hong Kong, China bounced back from their opening defeat to beat England by 61 runs, Anshuman Rath starring with 62 from 13 balls in a total of 149 for five. Australia top Group A with two wins, Hong Kong, China sit second, and England are yet to get off the mark.