Australian all-rounder Chris Green returns to Hong Kong Sixes with Wimbledon family ties
SCMP · 1 SOURCES1 day ago3 MIN
Summary
Australian cricketer Chris Green is set to lead his country at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, returning to a city he has grown to "really love" after a memorable experience in 2014 when he spent two days dressed as Hulk Hogan in Hong Kong Stadium's riotous South Stand cheering for friend Cameron Clark during the rugby sevens. The 33-year-old spinning all-rounder has forged a unique career path through franchise cricket, playing in virtually every tournament going — from the cricketing hotbeds of India, Pakistan, West Indies, England, South Africa and Australia, to relative outposts such as Canada, Dubai and Norway. Green's journey is particularly remarkable given that he had to choose between cricket and tennis in his late teens, a decision complicated by his extraordinary sporting lineage: his South African father Warren Green reached the third round of the Wimbledon men's doubles in 1987 alongside partner Pieter Aldrich, while his English mother Lisa Gould advanced to the second round of the women's singles that same year.
Key Points
- In 2014, Chris Green spent two days dressed as Hulk Hogan at Hong Kong Stadium's South Stand, cheering for Cameron Clark during the rugby sevens, describing the experience as "awesome" and giving him a "very specific taste" of Hong Kong
- The 33-year-old spinning all-rounder has played franchise cricket across India, Pakistan, West Indies, England, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Dubai and Norway — describing it as his "lifeline" that allowed him to play for Australia
- Green had to choose between cricket and tennis in his late teens; his father Warren Green, a South African, reached Wimbledon men's doubles third round in 1987 with partner Pieter Aldrich, losing to Stefan Edberg and Anders Jarryd
- His English mother Lisa Gould advanced to the second round of the 1987 Wimbledon women's singles, and the family still has the classic green Wimbledon towels — now used for their dogs
- Warren Green, now 64, was appointed a board director for the ATP Tour last year, which his son Chris describes as his "dream job"
Why It Matters
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes attracts international talent like Green, bringing global attention to Hong Kong's cricketing ambitions and providing local fans with opportunities to witness world-class players up close. Green's story illustrates how modern cricket's franchise circuit has created alternative career pathways that transcend traditional national team structures, enabling players to maintain professional careers while continuing to represent their countries .
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes attracts international talent like Green, bringing global attention to Hong Kong's cricketing ambitions and providing local fans with opportunities to witness world-class players up close. Green's story illustrates how modern cricket's franchise circuit has created alternative career pathways that transcend traditional national team structures, enabling players to maintain professional careers while continuing to represent their countries .