Ex-Australia ODI rep to play dual role of batsman and batting coach at ICC tournament
Campbell to play for Hong Kong in WT20
Former Australia ODI wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Campbell will represent Hong Kong in the upcoming World T20 tournament in India.
Campbell, of Hong Kong Chinese lineage, moved to the territory in 2012 to take up a role as head coach at the prestigious Kowloon Cricket Club and will add valuable experience to the young squad.
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The 43-year-old played two ODIs for Australia in 2002 and 98 first-class matches for Western Australia, and says he has been inspired by the likes of Perth Scorchers veteran Brad Hogg.
"I'm pretty nervous to be honest," Campbell said. "I'm there to mentor them as I have done for so long ... 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.
"It’s going to be an exciting couple of weeks."
The right-hander will also retain his role as batting coach for the tournament. Hong Kong are ranked 12 in the world T20 rankings and have been drawn alongside Zimbabwe, Scotland and Afghanistan for a place in the Super 10 stage.
Campbell, credited by some as the inventor of the 'scoop' shot, was renowned as an aggressive top-order batsman and handy wicketkeeper, and says he is looking forward to representing Hong Kong, where he has significant heritage.
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"My grandmother is 100 per cent Chinese and my great grandfather was actually born in Kowloon," he said.
"Going through my family trees it does make me feel a part of this country and especially as my son was born here, I feel very proud to represent Hong Kong."
Coach Simon Cook said Campbell’s first-hand knowledge of the younger players coupled with his numbers in domestic cricket makes him a vital addition to the squad.
"His form in Hong Kong has been good in Premier League and Sunday games for Kowloon Cricket Club," Cook said.
"One of the things that we learned about our last WT20 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."