Sussex club captain and wicketkeeper-batter John Simpson has been selected as captain of England’s team for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, a fast-paced six-a-side competition. The event will take place at Hong Kong’s Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground from October 30 to November 1, 2026.
Sussex captain and wicketkeeper Simpson will captain England in Group A, where they will play Australia and Hong Kong, China. The team put up for this year includes a mix of seasoned all-rounders, county captains, and a specialist pace option. England advanced to the semi-finals in the previous event in 2025.
Over the previous two seasons, Simpson has been one of the county’s more reliable hitters. He demonstrated both personal form and leadership qualities at the county level, leading Sussex to promotion in 2024 and amassing 1,086 County Championship runs in 2025.
He was part of the MCC squad for the Hong Kong Sixes in 2017; thus, he was already familiar with the format. In July 2021, he played three One-Day Internationals for England against Pakistan. He is a thoughtful candidate to lead the team in a format that encourages aggressive, decisive cricket because of his combined experience.
Director of Commercial and Marketing, Cricket Hong Kong, China, Anuraag Bhatnagar said, “England brings a rich cricketing heritage and some of the most capable all-round talent in the county game to the Hong Kong Sixes 2026. The tournament celebrates the excitement, entertainment and fast-paced nature of cricket, and a squad led by John Simpson promises to add to the spectacle. We look forward to welcoming the team and giving fans an unforgettable cricketing experience.”
The Hong Kong Sixes are renowned for their distinctive and intense six-a-side format, which combines heavy hitting, creative bowling, and constant action. Teams from all over the world will compete in the 2026 edition for a thrilling display of the sport. John Simpson (captain), Edward Barnard, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Jack Carson, Martin Andersson, Daniel Mousley, and Nathan Gilchrist make up the England team for the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes.
