ALAN PARKHOUSE

Chiang Mai _ Australian team Yarrambat suffered a big setback when veteran player Gavin Shaw suffered a dislocated shoulder while fielding against Malaysian side Silver State on the second day of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes in the northern capital yesterday.

Shaw, whose son Daniel captains the side, managed to stop a well-hit ball just short of the boundary, but with the batsmen looking for a second run he tried to get the ball back to his keeper with a big throw which ripped his shoulder out of joint.

Shaw collapsed in agony and had to be helped from the field by medical staff and team-mates before being transferred to Rajavej Hospital in Chiang Mai.

Hospital staff put Shaw's shoulder back in place and the veteran player, on his seventh trip to the Chiang Mai Sixes, returned to the ground only to discover his side had lost the match by one run. That was despite a good bowling spell by Michael Burns, who had to bowl twice to cover for the injured Shaw and was very economical.

Teams were still jockeying for position on the second day of the week-long tournament and by late today it should be known which teams will be contesting the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Spoon divisions are all the provisional matches have been played.

There were some big scores on the second day of the tournament yesterday with the Gloucestershire Gypsies knocking up 100 in their innings against Perth side the Sugar Shack Postels, who could only manage 33 in reply.

Australian team the Moonshine Warathais also hit out, scoring 95 in their game against the Devine Felons from New Zealand, who folded for the meagre total of 55.

While some of the teams made high scores yesterday, there were also a couple matches which went in the opposite direction, with the Armadillos keeping up an English tradition of low scores with a knock of 27, only to be beaten by Bangladesh's Cricketeers, who finished with a winning total of 28.

Some higher scoring games are expected today as teams try to get the best position in the four divisions and make the most of the excellent conditions at the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club grounds, which are in top shape this year with new turf wickets and new drainage.

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.

For more information and ball-by-ball updates during play, go to the tournament's website, www.chiangmaisixes.com.

RESULTS

Darwin Dilettantes 67, Romany 70; Warathais 95, Devine Felons 55; Maythais 60, Gymkhana Cavaliers 56; Yarrambat 51, Silver State 52; Gloucestershire Gipsies 100, Sugar Shack Postels 33; Taranaki 58, SA PA CC 59; Yes No Wait Sorries 92, Drifters 41; Blythswood 77, Lords Taverners 50; Armadillos 27, Cricketeers 28; Darwin Dilettantes 74, Shanghai Dragons 62; Devine Felons 59, Awai Taveners 62; SA PA CC 49, Perth Postels 22.

The Bangkok Post
3 April 2007