FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN SKIPPER DANE VAN NIEKERK RETURNS TO THE PLAYING FIELD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE RETIRING FROM INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

• Broadcast quality video of the interview featuring Dane van Niekerk, and b-roll footage of the Tornadoes training can be downloaded here: https://we.tl/t-FyEOyhUiVe
• Hi-res images of Dane van Niekerk can be downloaded here: https://we.tl/t-oYKKY4cHJn

 Hong Kong (April 6, 2023) –Former South African Captain Dane van Niekerk has chosen to make her return to cricket, following international retirement, at the Gencor FairBreak Invitational 2023, playing for the Tornadoes.

With over 4000 runs and 203 wickets in 86 WT20Is and 107 WODIs in a career spanning a decade and half, van Niekerk brings enormous talent and experience to the tournament, and she is excited about the prospect.

Dane van Niekerk said: “I watched some of the players today and I was really surprised and excited for them and myself, to be able to see what they can do. This (Gencor FairBreak Invitational 2023) is a wonderful tournament where we can unpack these talents and what better place (for them) to play, with the best (players) in the world and learn from them.

“So, I am excited to see some of these players, go forward and I wish them well. And if some of the more experienced players can pass on their knowledge and help them along their way it will be great.”

“I think there is raw talent here, and they are still unboxed. There is so much talent and it is exciting to see.

In her first outing at the Gencor FairBreak Invitational 2023 the former South African skipper was dismissed by her partner Marizanne Kapp, something she predicted would happen: “Generally, it is a battle because she (Marizanne Kapp) gets me out. Hopefully not this time around. She is in fine form, and I have not played for quite a bit, so it is going to be interesting. We will get a bit competitive when the time comes.”

Looking ahead van Niekerk is excited about the tournament and hoping the Tornadoes can retain the title: “We hope so (that Tornadoes can beat Falcons again), I would like to have one up on Marizanne for once.  But as I said I have seen a lot of the players, and it is a very good side, and I am excited to see how we go. It is about having fun and learning from each other.

“Personally, it is about playing some cricket again and going out in the middle and playing the game I love. Hopefully I can get back in my stride.”

The Gencor FairBreak Invitational T20 tournament for women underlines FairBreak Global’s deep commitment to building the women’s game from the grassroots, while offering Associate nations a chance to showcase their talent.

The tournament is currently underway and is being played from April 3-16, 2023, at the iconic Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong. The two-week tournament brings together some of the world’s top women players, from both Test and Associate nations.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Cricket Hong Kong FairBreak Invitational on TicketFlaphttps://www.ticketflap.com/fairbreakt2023

Visit FairBreak.Net for more information and follow us on our social media accounts by clicking on the following: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

AUSTRALIAN ALL-ROUNDER ERIN BURNS BOLSTERS THE SAPPHIRES ROSTER IN THE SECOND EDITION OF THE GENCOR FAIRBREAK INVITATIONAL 2023

• Broadcast quality video and B-roll footage featuring Erin Burns can be downloaded here: https://we.tl/t-NLMFBDhoUl
• Hi-res images of Erin Burns can be downloaded here: https://we.tl/t-XRezZyOo56

Hong Kong (April 3, 2023) – Australian all-rounder Erin Burns has joined the Sapphires team at the Gencor FairBreak Invitational 2023 and adds great value to the experience quotient on the team. Having represented Australia at the national level, Burns has also had a successful franchise career in Australia and England and more recently in India following which she made the trip to Hong Kong.

Burns said: “It has been a busy time, and incredible to be a part of two unbelievable franchise tournaments. The WPL (Women’s Premier League) was a landmark in terms of what it has done for women’s cricket. You could argue that FairBreak has done the same thing, through a totally different concept in terms of trying to bring together lots of different nations to play under one roof at FairBreak.”

Burns is making her FairBreak debut this year and is excited to represent the Sapphires at the tournament: “It is a unique experience, and I certainly have not been a part of anything like this. Last year I was not involved (in FairBreak), but I had plenty of friends that came across and played in Dubai and had a great time. So, I am really excited to be here.”

While being excited about playing in the tournament, Burns is also enjoying meeting players from Associate nations and sharing her experience and knowledge with them: “Personally, I am loving being here and I am trying to help put some of the girls here with their game. I have had some conversations with some eager girls from across the world. I just am enjoying being involved in this unique experience and I am trying to lap it all up. It is something I have not been a part of, and many of these girls won’t have an opportunity like this again.”

Burns will play under the captaincy of Pakistani legend Sana Mir and she is looking forward to the collaboration: “I never thought I would be able to play alongside Sana, who has had an amazing career herself. She is a fantastic person off the field as well, and she is the perfect person to lead the Sapphires.”

The Gencor FairBreak Invitational T20 tournament for women underlines FairBreak Global’s deep commitment to building the women’s game from the grassroots, while offering Associate nations a chance to showcase their talent.

The tournament is currently underway and is being played from April 3-16, 2023, at the iconic Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong. The two-week tournament brings together some of the world’s top women players, from both Test and Associate nations.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Cricket Hong Kong FairBreak Invitational on TicketFlaphttps://www.ticketflap.com/fairbreakt2023

Visit FairBreak.Net for more information and follow us on our social media accounts by clicking on the following: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

THE EXPLOSIVE CHAMARI ATHAPATTHU SETS HER EYES ON THE TITLE FOR THE FALCONS IN THE SECOND EDITION OF THE GENCOR FAIRBREAK INVITATIONAL 2023

• Broadcast quality video of the interview featuring Chamari Athapaththu can be downloaded here: https://we.tl/t-SSLV1Wjz5U
• Hi-res images of Chamari Athapaththu can be downloaded here: https://we.tl/t-5oyMVZgpoU

Hong Kong (April 5, 2023) – With 313 runs Sri Lankan Captain Chamari Athapaththu was the top run scorer at the first edition of the Gencor FairBreak Invitational last year in Dubai. However, the Falcons fell at the final hurdle in 2022, and typical of the explosive star, her sights are set on the trophy for the Falcons. Chamari said: “I am really excited to be here and join the Falcons. Hopefully we will have a good season. Last year we were in the finals, but we didn’t win the trophy, this year we will try our best to be champions.

“We have a good environment and culture here in our team and especially Jo (Joanne Broadbent) our coach, who really does well to encourage all the girls. Suzie Bates is a great captain, and we have superb cricketers like Danni Wyatt, and the dangerous Marizanne Kapp are all on my team and I am happy to engage with them and play with them.

“FairBreak is a great tournament and I have learnt a lot from my teammates like Suzie Bates, and Danni Wyatt. We shared a dressing room and our experiences, and then I took back my learnings to Sri Lanka and shared it with the younger players there.

FairBreak is a very important tournament for the Associate Players, and I really hope they will continue next year well.”

“A lot of youngsters from Sri Lanka are looking forward to these games, and