Hong Kong coach Charlie Burke feels his side are more than ready to take on the five teams it is set to face for Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3 that begins in Hong Kong on 22 January.

'We've been lucky as we've been playing a lot of cricket in the lead up to this tournament, including playing in the Asian Games, albeit in the shorter format, but the opposition we've faced has been strong and playing on a big stage against the likes of Afghanistan amongst others has really helped us prepare for Division 3.

'We've just come back from a tour of Sri Lanka where we played three games against strong domestic teams and we won two out of three of those games. It's the first time we've had wins in Sri Lanka which to me is an extremely positive sign ahead of this tournament. We've also had turf practice nets put down now in Hong Kong which has been a huge plus for us when it comes to training,' he said.

Burke, who took over the role of head coach in May 2010 feels he has a good knowledge of all the teams competing especially Papua New Guinea whom he worked with in his previous role as the ICC East Asia-Pacific Development Officer.

'I have a very good knowledge of the PNG side having worked with them during my former role with the ICC EAP office. In regards to planning for the other teams, I've seen recent footage of the USA and we've done our homework on Denmark too. I suppose Italy and Oman are the interesting teams as we don't know too much about them. It's about growing from strength to strength with this tournament and playing each game as it comes.

'I feel we've got a good squad who are young and prepared for this event. When I took over the side the average age was 29, we've reduced that now to 21 which is good sign for the future of the game in Hong Kong,' adds Burke.

Burke feels he has a good range of ability to work with his side starting with his batting line-up, 'Out vice-captain Courtney Kruger, who is a right-handed batsman is definitely one to watch for this tournament. I'd also say Mark Chapman who is just 17-years-old, he was our highest run-scorer in Sri Lanka and is technically very sound for someone so young.

'Then when you look at our bowlers, the Ahmed brothers - Irfan (in photograph above) and Nadeem - are the ones to watch in our side. Irfan is a great strike bowler, who knows how to bowl with great pace and Yorkers which his brother Nadeem knows the conditions here and gets some good spin. I have to say all four of those players have really stepped up a notch for us ahead of this tournament and it's great to see ahead of the first match on 22 January.'