Umpires circa 2008

Paul Jones. Aka Hagar the Horrible. Hagar’s second year in charge. Will he be able to stay out of hospital this year? Although he can vouch for the capabilities of the Thai Health Service he would much rather be supervising his bunch of deaf short sighted friends terrorising Chiang Mai cricketers !!

Herbie Whitlock aka George Formby. George has performed splendidly at home keeping tabs on our friend Goochie who had a stroke in 2008. We all wish him well and thank the Ribble Valley’s finest for keeping us posted. A veteran of many a tussle on the Gymkhana club ground and a few cricket matches !

Barry Drake aka Bazza. Has he taken up Welsh citizenship after last years Grand Slam? I wont comment on this years yet !!! Baz is rapidly reaching veteran status amongst his umpiring peers in Chiang Mai and will once again be zooming about Paulo Rossi style on his souped up 2 stroke !!

Jeff Cohen aka Rabbi. Like Hagar will the Rabbi manage a full week this year? Left early as his dear wife was about to give birth in 2008, I believe junior arrived about October! If his maths is that good will he be able to count up to six?

Jim Middleton aka The Equaliser. The man from Hong Kong will be dishing out his own brand of justice in a silent but deadly fashion. Bowlers and batsmen beware, this smiling assassin knows all your nefarious tricks, he invented most of them !!

Tony Gough aka Goughie. Once again joining us from the Cricketing hotbed that is Phuket for his 657th Chiang Mai Sixes. Knows this tournament inside out and one the few to be here from day 1. Has a somewhat casual and laid back style but don’t let that fool you. Will be accompanied by the delightful lady Norma to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Gavin Shaw aka Globetrotter. Has invested heavily in Thai condom factories in time for the Chiang Mai Sixes. What this has to do with the traditional way cricketers spend their leisure time , such as temple gazing, I have no idea. Sent an avalanche of batsmen back to the kit last year, will he be so deadly second time around?

Si Kasturiratne aka Serendipity. Hopes to umpire the occasional game in between whacking his balls around the greens of northern Thailand. Hugely experienced former cricketer with a wealth of knowledge about the game.

Jim Ford aka Crocodile Dundee. Another who could’nt manage a full week last year, at a wedding, bloody feeble excuse if you ask me !! If you want to buy Jim a drink at any time he’ll be sitting in the corner of the Spotlight or Foxy Lady! Makes his decisions with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency, sometimes he does that on the cricket field as well !

Peter Counsell aka Wurzel. A new boy from darkest Zumerzet. Will the boundary bar cider sales go up? Time will tell. Welcome to Chiang Mai where I’m sure you’ll settle in quick . ps don’t listen to anything Jim Middleton tells you!!

Satrajit Lahiri. Another new boy to the Chiang Mai list. Hails from Kolkata where he played first class cricket between 1990 and 1998. Was with the Tripura club. Welcome to our happy band of digit exercisers!!

Trevor Warburton aka Airport One. Trevor must have enjoyed Chiang Mai, he asked to come back for a second time! Will be kept quiet by his personal masseuse and bodyguard. Living a life of leisure now after years running some small country airfields !!