Chinese cricketer Li Kai Ming reveals Shane Warne was his inspiration

Li Kai Ming signed for Sydney Sixers Image Source: Sydney Sixers

Li Kai Ming,who became the first chinese cricketer to sign a professional league contract, when he signed up for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, revealed that Shane Warne was the reason he converted from being a seam bowler to a leg spinner.

Ming, who was Introduced to cricket by his younger sister Godiva, was a seam bowler until he stumbled upon Shane Warne’s memorable dismissal of Andrew Strauss at Edgbaston in the 2005 Ashes series. The following day, he sought his coach’s help on how to be a leg spinner.

"It looked amazing, so I just tried to learn," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. The 24-year-old, who is hoping to rub shoulders with some of the best in the business, including Australian captain Steven Smith who is the Sixers squad, is currently unloading truck deliveries, when he is training to play cricket.

As a Community Rookie, although Ming Li is unlikely to play in the BBL, he hopes to meet his idol, Shane Warne and continue learning while trying “to control the turn”. When asked about his favourite cricketers, he mentioned the swashbuckling Kevin Pietersen, before correcting himself in jest and saying “only Shane Warne, only Shane Warne.”

The Sixers and the Hong Kong Cricket Association are hoping to use the 24-year-old’s participation as an opportunity to grow the game in Hong Kong, where the ethnic Chines love their cricket.

"We believe this is the first time any Hong Kong sportsperson has participated in such an elite 'franchise' tournament and we can't wait to see the positive effect Ming's BBL involvement will have on the already rapid development within the growing Chinese cricket community," said HKCA's chief executive Tim Cutler.

Charlie Burke, national director of Hong Kong cricket said: “So the Sydney Sixers have been great with that and have shown they are willing to develop the game as well. Particularly to go in to non-traditional cricket backgrounds I think is a part of it, in that they are trying to get players from non-associate nations into major franchise competitions around the world.”

Li, who became the first ethnic Chinese player to play an official T20, has been a part of two Asian Games squads for Hong Kong. He has been impressive for Hong Kong since making his debut in 2010 and even picked up four for 14 against China on Sunday.