Justin Moseley – Chiang Mai

Bashundara Cricketeers start defence of Cup in dazzling fashion
The second day of the San Miguel Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes got off to a bleary-eyed 8.30 am start with the local Gymkhana Cavaliers hitting 59 which proved just too much for Almar from South Africa. The Awali Taverners from Bahrain, apparently suffering from an even more celebratory night in Chiang Mai than usual, could only manage 46 and the Drifters from England, after a slow start but great batting by Neil Howe, floated to another victory. The Ashwell Martlets from England suffered defeat after an excellent performance form the Australian Maythais – a great penultimate over (1 wide but only 1 run scored off the bat) and ace bowling from Trevor Chapell in the final over saw their score of 67 prove sufficient for victory.  Local team the Stuffed Beavers put up a spirited batting effort (particularly from Dom Hogan) but could not match the score set by the Taranaki Taverners from New Zealand. With excellent tight bowling that included 3 wickets, followed by some good batting, the young local lads of Thai Thevada overcame the Wombats from Australia. In a very close game, with neither side losing a wicket, Sa Pa from Vietnam beat Blythswood from England. Yarrambat from Australia (still celebrating their winning the 2009 Bowl from Darjeeling) put up a strong fight to catch the Surrey Vagrants from England, and were only prevented from doing so after a fine catch on the boundary that prevented a certain six and a tie. A strong Lik Lik Wombats from Australia were too good for the Southerners from Thailand, who never gave up and were running hard right up to the last ball. The Tokyo Dingbats chased, but couldn’t catch, the Divine Felons from New Zealand, whose game included fine batting (a retirement from Pete Watson and another fine innings from Asif, who later made a great catch while fielding). The much awaited meeting of the Bashundhara Cricketeers from Bangladesh (defending 2009 Cup Holders) and the Lanka Lions (a team of Sri Lankan star players) produced a dazzling display in the form of the gold-numbered shirts of the Cricketeers.  Dazzling also was their batting, with enough boundaries to wrap up the game by the third over. Played amid thunderclaps and high wind (of the meteorological kind), the Greek Ios Malakas, despite taking 4 wickets, still lost to the Australian Bangkok Postels who were saved by the batting of “last man standing” Bushell. In the continuingly changeable weather conditions, the Darwin Dilettantes proved just too strong for the English Armadillos. A meeting between English teams the Gloucestershire Gipsies and the Yorkshire Puddings resulted in a gritty battle with fielding overthrows from both sides. An unfortunate injury to Cav Ditchman affected the Gipsies concentration, but they just held their nerve to win. The final men’s game of the day saw the Shanghai Hot Dogs beat the Floggers & Robbers from Zimbabwe after a tense final over which went right down to the last ball. The final (ladies) game of the day saw the delightful Thai Pixies, despite taking 3 wickets, lose to the Chiang Mai Chassies.

The action continues daily this week from 9.00am until dusk with the finals on Saturday 3rd April.  Entry to the delightful 112-year-old Chiengmai Gymkhana Club in the northern capital is free and a large variety of excellent food and drinks are available. If you cannot come then you can listen and watch online - more information is at: www.chiangmaisixes.com.