PETER CUMMINS

Chiang Mai _ The 19th Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes got off to a great start yesterday, with a record number of 31 teams, coming from the world's great cricketing nations.

The organisers, under perennial tournament director Maurice Bromley, feared the worst some months ago when the 107-year-old Gymkhana ground was buried under metres of silt as a result of severe flooding. It is still evident now, in places, but the pitch is in superb condition.

In the first of the round robin matches, the Floggers and Robbers, a motley bunch from mainly Zimbabwe, at 61/2 fell short of the Tokyo Wombats (101/1).

Yarrambat (69/0) overcame Divine Felons (68/1) while the Pattaya lads from Kim Fletcher's Jameson's Dilettantes (82/1) beat local Chiang Mai team Sugar Shack Postels (75/2).

Elsewhere, Irish Pub Gangrene ((82/1) beat the Taranaki Taverners (44/2), Shanghai Dragons (69/1) defeated Almar (68/2),0, Silverstate (89/1) thrashed Blythswood (51/3), Armadillos (80/0), beat Bangkok Postels (75/0).

Jamesons were back in the winner's circle with the Jamesons Malakas (50/1) overcoming the Wombats (49/2).

The Southerners (80/1) comfortably beat SA PA CC (45/2) while Ashwell Crusaders (84/1) outscored the Drifters (47/2) for their first victory.

The Surrey Vagrants turned the tables on erstwhile leaders, Floggers and Robbers who, chasing the Vagrants' 100 for 2 could only come up with 52/4.

The final game of a day of entertaining cricket, saw former Cup champions Lords Taverners (67/0) overhauling Darjeeling (66/1).

Games continue today with the round robin matches and, on present form, as the teams settle in, the 19th Chiang Mai Internationals are going to be something to behold.

The action actually started on Saturday night, with the famous opening party at the traditional venue, the Porn Ping Hotel.