ALAN PARKHOUSE

Chiang Mai _ The Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes started in spectacular fashion yesterday at the historic Chiengmai Gymkhana Club grounds with a record number of teams entered in this year's tournament.

A good crowd turned out to watch the first day's play, and they weren't disappointed with some lightning quick bowling, some huge boundaries and wickets falling with regularity as the tournament celebrated its 20th year.

The early matches in the tournament are used to determine which groups the teams will contest, and there are four groups Cup, Plate, Bowl and Spoon.

One of the highlights of the first day was the Thai Thevada team's first match. Thai Thevada is a team made up of local junior players who have come up through the schools competition and are now old enough, and good enough, to play in the senior competition for the first time.

Their first match was against the Gloucestershire Gipsies, an experienced club side from the UK, and while the Thai boys did not win, they played excellent cricket and the match went down to the last ball.

These young local boys are bound to cause some upsets in the coming days, despite losing to the Gipsies by only six runs in their first match.

The young Thai boys played a second game in the afternoon against Perth side the Sugar Shack Postels, a team which regularly tours overseas. But the local boys proved too good and clocked up their first win of the tournament, and their first victory at senior level.

Tournament director Maurice Bromley, who is hanging up his pads and retiring after this year's tournament, was very pleased to see the young Thai boys do well.

"Seeing these young guys not only coming through the junior league but now watching them play against the senior teams is really great," he said.

"What we have been trying to achieve for many years is promoting cricket at the local level, and these guys are living proof that our program is working."

In other action yesterday, there was an unusual draw after the Tokyo Wombats and the Floggers and Robbers both scored 58 runs, while slick South African team Almar proved too good for England's Blythswood.

United Arab Emirates team Darjeeling put Aussie side Yarrambats to the sword, clocking up a big total of 76 runs against the Aussies' meager 48, while the wonderfully-named Yes No Wait Sorries a combined English and New Zealand side had no problems overcoming Thai team Irish Pub Gang Green by a decent score.

Popular Aussie team the Moonshine Warathais, led by former Australian international Trevor Chappell, had no trouble getting past Bahrain team the Awali Taverners with Chappell again playing a leading role in his side's winning total of 78.

The Warathais, regulars for many years in Chiang Mai, have fielded two teams this year the Moonshine Warathais and the Moonshine Maythais, their second string side.

The Maythais, however, looked anything but a second string side in their win over the IOS Malakas.

One of the more colourful characters at this year's sixes is a player known simply as Chef, who could easily be mistaken for an Australian bushranger with his big beard and colourful clothing.

Play continues every day until the finals on Saturday and for cricket lovers who want a break from the World Cup this is the place to be.

Admission to the beautiful, spacious grounds of the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club is free and there is plenty of shaded seating for spectators plus a wide variety of foods on sale. Cold beer and other beverages are available from the Boundary Bar, which is right in the heart of the action.

RESULTS AFTER DAY ONE

Almar 77, Blythwood 33; Floggers and Robbers 58, Tokyo Wombats 58;Darjeeling 76, Yarrambats 48; Yes No Wait Sorries 77, UN Irish Pub Gang Green 64; Moonshine Warathais 78, Awali Taverners 58; Gloucestershire Gipsies 66, Thai Thevada 60; Maythais 56, IOS Malakas 35; Marchwiel Outlaws 84, Floggers and Robbers 55; Drifters 44, Irish Pub Gang Green 45; Romany 68, Shanghai Dragons 43; Thai Thevada 57, Sugar Shack Postels 51; Southerners 75, Armadillos 76.

See www.chiangmaisixes.com for more information.

The Bangkok Post
2 April 2007