The 17th Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes and the 5th Sixes Sawasdee Cup (for junior players) officially opened yesterday at the historic 106-year-old Gymkhana Club, initiating seven days of non-stop cricket featuring 28 teams from around the world.

Last year's Cup champions, Gloucestershire Gipsies from England, made a successful start to their defence of their hard-won trophy, beating Thailand-based Lions of CMW in their first Group B match.

But Australians Lords Taverners, beaten by the Gipsies in last year's Cup final, were defeated by Bahrain-based Awali Taverners, despite an innings of 31 retired from former Australian Test spinner Tom Hogan.

Sri Lankan guest star Malinda Warnapura was the star batsman for Awali, scoring an unbeaten 31.

The Chiang Mai-based tobacco team, going under the name of Te Pakeha this year, delighted their enthusiastic supporters with victory over Darjeeling from Dubai.

Yesterday's games featured eight of the Cup/Bowl/Plate teams and two of the Spoon teams.

It was an overcast day with a very light, intermittent rain which in no way spoiled the action and some of the big hitting.

The competition will continue daily through to Saturday.

The Sawasdee Cup, featuring schools from all around Chiang Mai, starts tomorrow and the Ladies Challenge will be played on Saturday.

RESULTS

Te Pakeha 57-1 (G. Chatfield 31 retired) beat Darjeeling (George Appleton 30 retired); Gloucestershire Gipsies 68-1 (W. Ridsdale 30 retired) beat Lions of CMW 65-2 (Ajaz Jar 31 retired); Yes No Wait Sorries 61-0 (Mark Briers 33 retired) beat B.A. Dragons 58-3 (R. Pallett 32 not out); Awali Taverners 62-0 (M. Wangare 31 retired) beat Lords Taverners 60-2 (Tom Hogan 31 retired)

Spoon: Irish Pub Gang Green 38-0 defeated Gymkhana Cavaliers 38-0.