PETER CUMMINS

CHIANG MAI : The ongoing 21st San Miguel Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes opened yesterday with clear skies for the first time on day three of the week-long competition. The first items on the packed agenda were the results of Monday's last two games _ Blythswood (43/1) scraped home over the Bangkok Postels (41/1) and the Udon Thani Richmond Steakies (69/0, Leigh Whitten 31 no), made short work of the Maythais (49/0) in the fading light.

In yesterday's opener, the Divine Felons (71/2) beat Darjeeling, in spite of Greg Moses' great maximum innings of 34 not out, the Felons finishing with 67/1.

The Surrey Avos (74/0, Graham Crawford, no for 30) beat arch-rivals the Darwin Dilettantes (58/3) and the Stuffed Beavers (66/0) defeated the Bangkok Postels (56/0).

A very tight match was played out between the Udon Thani Richmond Steakies (34/3), ending ahead of the Gymkhana Cavaliers (33/3).

Elsewhere, the Surrey Vagrants (69/0) defeated the Taranaki Taverners (64/0), the Southerners (72/1, Gary Chatfield, 30 no) beat Sa Pa (47/2) and the Perth Postels (78/3, Saurav Chatterjee hitting another maximum score for 35 no) whipped the Irish Pub Gang Green (56/1).

Another one-pointer came in the Cricketeers (59/0) defeat of the Tokyo Wombats (58/2), while the Gloucester Gipsies racked up the days second-highest score (104/0, Bill Johnson, 33 no), demolishing the Darjeeling team (41/0).

It was appropriate when one of the international commentators, Allan Ridell from the South African media, added his voice to perennial Sixes personality Rick Davis' dulcet tones.

He read an e-mail over the PA system from someone everybody knows - Roger Federer. His e-mail from Switzerland read: ''The world number one is watching you Deano live on screen. Don't let me down. Come on you Gipsies.''

Ridell pointed out that all games are transmitted worldwide through internet and other sources, although some suspected it was an April Fools joke.

At the end of the third day, the 36 teams will compete to go into the various divisions _ the Bowl, the Cup, the Joe Carpenter Plate and the Spoon, as well as a special category donated by the tournament director, Maurice Bromley, for the coveted Bromley Shield.

In addition, there will be intense competition among the many schoolboys and girls, for the 9th Chiang Mai Sawasdee Cricket Cup, and an Old Crocks Game.