Hong Kong Cricket Association Chair Rodney Miles is "buoyant on expansion," according to Alvin Sallay of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. With Hong Kong's elevation to one-day int'l status, "the need for more grounds has increased." As it is, "the game's growth has been stunted by the small number of facilities," with just five available. But this "is about to change." The number of pitches and grounds "is set to double if Miles has his way," and with the government fully behind the game -- "perked up," no doubt, by the recent success of the men's national team -- "things are looking as rosy as a new Kookaburra ball." Miles said, "We are more optimistic than we have been in a long time and if everything goes according to plan Hong Kong cricket will soon have more grounds." A derelict landfill site in Gin Drinkers Bay in Kwai Chung "has been earmarked as the short-term prospect for cricket." Miles: "I resurrected the plan to use the Gin Drinkers Bay venue simply because it will make available a ground the fastest for cricket." Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Jonathan McKinley "is fully behind this plan." McKinley said, "Special projects of this kind can get funding up to HK$3 million [$387,000]. We have already given funds to other sports" (SCMP, 5/24).
