Chris Read’s England have lost their Hong Kong Sixes title after suffering back to back defeats in the final stages of the tournament.

Read led his side to comprehensive victories in group stage matches against India and Pakistan but defeats to Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and eventual winners South Africa ended the challenge.

“We didn’t really know who was going to be a force and that makes preparation difficult when you come into a tournament like this,” said Read.

“Every team had capable players but we seemed to have three players standing out in every game and we just couldn’t quite fire as a unit.”

England scored 92 runs without loss in their allotted five overs to set up a victory against Pakistan with Peter Trego and Darren Stevens both retiring not out having scored 35 and 33 respectively.

A four-wicket win against India followed although England didn’t have it all their own way. Darren Stevens and Peter Trego retired unbeaten after scoring 32 and 35 runs respectively but two wickets in two balls for Stuart Binny claimed the scalps of Read and Graham Napier.

Rory Hamilton Brown steadied the ship for England scoring the four runs needed to secure back to back wins.

England topped the Northern hemisphere group with Sri Lanka securing their spot in the last four by virtue of a five-wicket win over the English in the final game of the day.

After England’s exit, South Africa defeated Hong Kong in the final.