ALAN PARKHOUSE

hiang Mai _ As the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes moved into its fourth day, the best match yesterday was between England's Gloucestershire Gipsies and Bangladesh's Cricketeers, two sides with some experienced players. The Cricketeers are one of the strongest sides at this year's Sixes and one of three teams tipped by ground commentator Rick "Viking" Davis to win the top flight Cup division.

The Cricketeers are led by the big-hitting Khaled Mahmud Saujan, who played for Bangladesh for many years and retired from international duty only two years ago.

The Gipsies won the toss and elected to bat, but faced some tight bowling and sharp fielding in the first couple of overs. The Gipsies lost their first wicket, caught on the boundary, in the fourth over with the score on 33.

The Gipsies then lost their second wicket in the fifth over with the score on 56 before finishing with a respectable total of 62.

The Cricketeers started strongly and the young, fit Bangladeshi players were very quick between the wicket and raced to 19 off the first over.

By the start of the last over the Cricketeers needed 11 to win and some brilliant running by Araffat Sunny and Minhaj Ahmed Shafil had them level with two balls remaining. Araffat then hit a huge four off the second last ball to win the match.

The Sixes always has its light moments, and yesterday was no exception. There was some confusion during the game between the Yes No Wait Sorries and the Perth Postels. The Yes No Wait Sorries were batting and both batsmen ended up at one end before running together between wickets.

They eventually ended up at different ends and a confused umpire declared three runs. The Yes No Wait Sorries lived up to their name.

The Yes No Wait Sorries compiled a respectable total of 74 against the Perth Postels yesterday, despite some confusion with their running, and started well when it came their turn to bowl.

However, some big hitting put the Perth Postels back in the game with Saurav Chaterjee belting sixes and fours all around the ground before retiring after reaching the maximum 30 runs allowed under the rules of six-a-side cricket.

The Perth Postels cruised to triumph, needing only five off the final over for victory and made it with three balls to spare.

The Perth Postels knocked up one of the biggest scores of the tournament with 109 on the third day's play and kept up their tradition of first-class performances at the Sixes every year.

They have made it into the Cup division every year for the past 12 years they have been coming to Chiang Mai.

Last night the record 33 teams of cricketers and their friends enjoyed the annual ''pig picking'' night at the Gymkhana Club grounds, with three very large porkers on huge barbeques next to a stage where speeches were made and a band kept the crowd entertained.

The action continues today at the 109-year-old Chiengmai Gymkhana Club in the heart of Chiang Mai, admission is free and food and drinks are available at the round.

DETAILS

Yarrambat 84, Blythswood 55; Sugar Shack Postels 37, Drifters 36; Darjeeling 61, Lords Taverners 63; Cricketeers 33, Romany 32; Yes No Wait Sorries 60, Warathais 65; SA PA 63, Devine Felons 74; Almar 58, Southerners 73; Darwin Dilettantes 65, Awali Taverners 64; Irish Pub Gang Green 89, Silver State 49; Marchwiel Outlaws 87, Darjeeling 79; Cricketeers 66, Gloucestershire Gipsies 62; Yes No Wait Sorries 74, Perth Postels 76; Maythais 34, Stuffed Beavers 41; Gymkhana Cavaliers 57, Bangkok Postels 58.

For more information and ball by ball updates, see www.chiangmaisixes.com.

The Bangkok Post
5 April 2007