Samantha McIlwraith started playing cricket in Hong Kong three years ago - having moved there from Australia three years previously - after being asked by the captain Neisha Pratt to join the team. She had never played before that so, in her words, "it has been an exciting challenge." She adds: "Of course I grew up watching the Australian men's team on TV, but I played hockey and never actually thought about playing cricket."

McIlwraith is a hard-hitting middle-order bat who is getting better technically thanks to "some amazing coaching by Lal [the HK coach]". She is a medium pacer, but doesn't expect to be bowling too much in the ACC tournament. She plays for Lamma CC and is a PE teacher at an international school.

Jenny Thompson June 2007

• Brave Hong Kong fall to Bangladesh (Jul 17, 2007)
  
• Bangladesh outclass Hong Kong to book final place (Jul 17, 2007)
  
• Bangladesh beat Hong Kong by 59 runs in semi-final showdown (Jul 17, 2007)
  
• Nepal's bowlers strangle Hong Kong (Jul 15, 2007)
  
• Hong Kong thrash Malaysia in tournament opener (Jul 11, 2007)
  

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Jul 17, 2007 The Hong Kong team poses for a photo following their defeat to Bangladesh in the ACC Women's Cricket Tournament semi-final - 17.07.2007 © HKCA

Jul 4, 2007 Portrait - Sam Mcilwraith (July 2007) © HKCA

Jun 24, 2007 The Hong Kong Women's Cricket Team - Shenzhen, China 24.06.2007 © HKCA

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