ALAN PARKHOUSE

Chiang Mai _ The last of the preliminary games were completed yesterday and a record 33 teams will now battle for the top honours in four divisions at the annual Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes. One of the most outstanding performances at this year's Sixes has been by local Chiang Mai team Thai Thevada, a side made up of 15 to 17-year-old Thai boys who have come through the local schools league and are playing in the senior competition for the first time.

Thai Thevada clocked up another big win yesterday against Australian team Darwin Dilettantes with Suranya ''Off'' Chanai retiring on 24 and Thanatit ''Thong'' Jiraphanthawong not out on 22 as they raced to a winning total of 66.

The Thai team have now made it into the Shield division, an outstanding achievement.

''It's great to see the boys doing so well, but now they have graduated from the junior ranks what they really need is a professional coach to take them further,'' said tournament director Maurice Bromley. ''What we need is a company to step forward and sponsor a professional coach because these boys are quite capable of representing their country in the near future if someone can guide them.''

Bromley is stepping down this year after running the CM Sixes for 20 years.

All proceeds from the Sixes every year go towards developing cricket at the junior level in local schools.

Making the cut for the top flight Cup division were Darjeeling, Lords Taverners, Marchwiel Outlaws, Cricketeers, Romany, Gloucestershire Gipsies, Yes No Wait Sorries, Warathais and Perth Postels.

Ground commentator Rick ''Viking'' Davis, who has also been helping organise the tournament for many years, tipped one of three teams to win the top prize in the Cup division this year. ''Darjeeling have been present at every one of the 30 Sixes tournaments and look like mounting a strong challenge this year,'' he said.

''Gloucestershire Gipsies are ex-winners with the formidable Paul Lazenbury now injury-free and back to his best, while the Cricketeers are the reigning champions from Bangladesh and have outstanding bowling and fielding, but do they have the batting?''

The Shield will be contested by the Darwin Dilettantes, Thai Thevada, Awali Taverners, Irish Pub Gang Green, Tokyo Wombats and Silver State.

In the Bowl division, the teams battling for first place are SA PA CC, Armadillos, Divine Felons, Almar, Floggers and Robbers, and Southerners.

The Plate division will be contested by Yarrambat, Taranaki Taverners, Blythswood, Sugar Shack Postels, Shanghai Dragons and Drifters.

Bringing up the rear in the Spoon division will be the Bangkok Postels, Gymkhana Cavaliers, IOS Malakas, Maythais, the Stuffed Beavers and the Wombats.

One of the most outstanding efforts yesterday was by the Sugar Shack Postels, who needed 41 off the last over against the Shanghai Dragons and got there with four balls to spare, thanks to an unusual number of wides by the Dragons and the rules of Sixes cricket.

There was also a warm-up women's game late yesterday afternoon as the Chiang Mai Chassies took on the World Women Dixie Bells to limber up for their big match on Saturday.

Action continues today at the 109-year-old Chiengmai Gymkhana Club grounds. Admission is free and food, drinks and shaded areas for spectators are available.

RESULTS

Perth Postels 109, Taranaki Taverners 53; Darjeeling 92, Silver State 77; Lords Taverners 70, Almar 35; Marchwiel Outlaws 65, Tokyo Wombats 61; Southerners 54, Cricketeers 57; Maythais 74, Bangkok Postels 49; Yarrambats 90, Taranaki Taverners 76; Shanghai Dragons 93, Sugar Shack Postels 96; Darwin Dilettantes 65, Thai Thevada 66; Tokyo Wombats 63, Irish Pub Gang Green 68; Almar 79, Floggers and Robbers 83; Sapa 38, Armadillos 43; Stuffed Beavers 67, Gymkhana 83.

Please visit www.chiangmaisixes.com for more information and ball-by-ball updates.

The Bangkok Post
4 April 2007