Ryan Campbell's return to international cricket

Few cricketing comebacks have been as unlikely as that of Ryan Campbell. At the age of 44, nearly 14 years after his two ODIs for Australia and a decade after his last match as a professional cricketer down under, Campbell is poised to make his debut for Hong Kong in the opening game of the World T20 in India.

"I'll be as thrilled as I've ever been playing a game of cricket when I receive my Hong Kong cap," he says. "It's obviously a big risk on my behalf and Hong Kong cricket's behalf. But it's a risk they're happy to take, and I am too. Hopefully a good result will come of it."

Some are less enthusiastic about the prospect of Campbell playing for Hong Kong, seeing his selection as a throwback to a time when ageing imports were ubiquitous in Associate teams.

To Campbell, such comparisons are unfair. "I've got family in Hong Kong: my son was here, so was my wife-to-be. This is our home." His grandmother is Chinese, and his great-grandfather was born in Kowloon, where Campbell has been a player and coach since early 2012. "Four years later I couldn't be happier - I've got a wonderful fiancé, have a beautiful seven-month old baby boy, and have a great job at Kowloon Cricket Club and with the national team. I have roots and history here, so I'll be very proud to represent Hong Kong."

Without these links, Campbell "wouldn't even consider" an international comeback. "Then it would be just ridiculous. But because I do have a history here I feel that I can and should be helping out."