Australian master batsman Damien Martyn (pictured) and inspirational New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will be parading their world-class talents at this year's Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

The illustrious duo are the first star players to sign up for the annual showpiece - which is fully sanctioned by the International Cricket Council - at Kowloon Cricket Club from November 8-9.

Martyn, a key member of Australia's all-conquering team for more than a decade, and Fleming, the most successful captain in New Zealand's history, will appear for the All-Stars in the 10-team tournament.

"I'm thrilled to be taking part in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes," said Martyn. "Hong Kong is a wonderful city to visit and the Kowloon Cricket Club is a fantastic venue for such an exciting tournament.

"I'm looking forward to teaming up with Stephen and the other members of the All-Stars for what promises to be two days of fast and furious action.

"The Hong Kong event is, without doubt, the best-run and most high-profile sixes tournament in the world and, hopefully, we can put on a great show for the fans."

Martyn, 36, played 67 tests between 1992 and 2006, scoring 13 centuries, and also appeared in 208 one-day internationals (ODIs).

He was a member of the Australian team that finished runners-up to England in the 1994 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

Fleming, 35, retired from international cricket just two months ago after a stellar 14-year career in which he played 111 tests.

He was captain for 80 of those matches - second on the all-time list behind Allan Border, who led Australia 93 times.

Fleming's nine test centuries included scoring 274 not out against Sri Lanka in 2003 and 262 against South Africa in 2006.

He also holds the world record for the most ODI appearances as captain, having led the Kiwis 218 times in his total of 280 games.

"I'm delighted to be returning to Hong Kong to take part in the Cricket Sixes," said Fleming, who played in the 1996 tournament.

"It has a great reputation for being fun and entertaining while at the same time offering two days of hard, competitive cricket.

"I know the All-Stars team finished as runners-up in 2007 and so we'll be aiming to go one better this year.

"It will be tough, because the organisers are putting together a top-class field of international teams, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."
The All-Stars will join nine representative international teams in the tournament - Australia, New Zealand, England, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and hosts Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament director Mark Burns said the signings of Martyn and Fleming pointed to another hugely successful event.

"It is fantastic news that Damien Martyn and Stephen Fleming have confirmed their participation in this year's Hong Kong Cricket Sixes," said Burns.

"All the greats of the modern game have appeared at the tournament since it was first held in 1992 and these two players certainly come into that category after long and highly successful international careers.

"We're sure Hong Kong fans are looking forward to seeing them in action and the All-Stars will certainly benefit from their expertise, professionalism and leadership qualities.

"Damien and Stephen are just the first of many world-class players we expect to see at the Sixes this year and we will be making further announcements in the weeks to come. The 2008 Sixes promises to be the best yet."

The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is the sport's longest-running, best-established and most high-profile sixes tournament.

Players who have taken part in the event over the past 16 years include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Gilchrist, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Wasim Akram.

Profits from the tournament are ploughed directly back into cricket development in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong Cricket Association.