Hong Kong teenager Chris Carter puts studies on hold to focus on cricket tours to Ireland and Scotland
The 18-year-old is named in a 26-strong senior squad to play Intercontinental Cup, one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches
Chris Carter returned to Hong Kong two years ago hoping to have fun playing social cricket while preparing for life as a university student in the United Kingdom. Now, he is looking at cricket as a possible career path as he puts his studies on hold to tour Scotland and Ireland with the Hong Kong senior squad, which was named on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old Carter was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Perth, Australia while his father, a pilot, was still based in the city. Two years ago, the whole family moved back to Hong Kong, where Carter plays for the Kowloon Cricket Club.
I thought I would play socially and for fun. That’s actually what led to my success. The more I enjoyed myself and better I performed
The wicketkeeper-batsman was on Wednesday named in a 26-strong national squad for the tour of Ireland and Scotland in August and September. Fourteen members of the squad are contracted players, including captain Tanwir Afzal.
“When I first went to KCC, [batting coach] Ryan Campbell said give it a bit of time and you could get into the national team,” said Carter, who is hoping to pursue a degree in economics and finance either at Hong Kong University or King’s College in London.
“I laughed it off because I thought I would play socially and for fun. That’s actually what led to my success. The more I enjoyed myself and better I performed.
“I’ve had my first taste of pro cricket and saw how seriously they take it and what opportunities are there,” added Carter, who toured with Hong Kong to United Arab Emirates last year. “After I returned from that tour, I decided to delay my studies and dedicate my time to cricket.”
