2009 Team Photo

Yarrambat, back for a sixth consecutive year with a largely unchanged line up. The legendary secret weapon “Chops” continues to hold his spot in the team with some breathless performances in 6’s cricket throughout the year. The boys, having secured Bowl championship honours in 2009, remain popular with their sponsors - Thanks to Awn for the generous support of the White Lotus Bar & Restaurant again in 2010 and also to The Couta Group. We really look forward to running amok in Chiang Mai and making many new friends once again this year.

DANIEL "FABIO" SHAW captain

10th Tour: Captain. Planning big celebrations for his 10th tour to Chiang Mai is big Dan. Plans to continue the partying that was a feature of the last night in Chiang Mai 2009 after the Bowl win. Has had several months in Europe this year soaking up the culture and learning the delights of varying wine styles – he tells me the £1 bottles of white wine in Prague were the highlight of his trip. Hoping once again to make his presence felt on and off the field.

GAVIN "SHAWRY" SHAW

11th Tour: Once again has deserted the team to enjoy the week with the ranks of the deaf and blind. Keen follower of cricket and knowledgeable tour guide for those new to Chiang Mai. Will be seen out in the middle during the week and at the boundary bar when not umpiring. Will attempt to curb the more exuberant behavior of the young Yarrambatians throughout the week but we think he is fighting a losing battle.

TROY "HARVS" HARVEY

13th Tour: What a year it has been for Harves. To quash the gay rumours that generally surround him, he has shacked up with his long time girl friend Noi and produced his first bambino – well done Troy. May struggle to adequately juggle the responsibilities of fatherhood and performing on (and off) the field for the team – at least he will have some excuse this year should he fail to live up to expectation in either arena. Still enjoys Thailand immensely and willing to work for 10,000 baht per month if anyone has a job going here.

NATHAN "SHANKS" LAMB

3rd tour to Chiang Mai and now a veteran 2nd year player. Injury problems plagued the young lad last year after he threw his shoulder out mid week pelting ping pong balls at the girls in Spotlight. Popular with the opposite sex and looking forward to a big week in Chiang Mai. Has once again done the pre-season trip to Bangkok so should be on fire throughout the week.

SIMON "IN DA HOUSE - SIMO" BRAY

5th Tour: Vice Captain: Has had a big year at Yarrambat making a top score of 188 and taking a bag of wickets every week. 2nd year as Treasurer at Yarrambat so should be cashed up. Loves a beer but drinks the light stuff out of vanity! Has been let loose once again although his father Mad Dog will be up mid week to check that Simo still has all his body parts in working order. Simo has promised to once again take young Shanks under his wing and show him the cultural night life of Chiang Mai.

“DOOR” MATT LUTON

9th Tour to Chiang Mai: A veteran who makes the annual pilgrimage a regular feature of his calendar. Has been in training for the past 12 months – just a pity that none of the training included cricket. Took the captain under his wing many years ago to teach him a thing or two about life and cricket in Chiang Mai. Also looked after the captain in the UK during the year – well with the exception of forgetting to fetch the poor bloke from Heathrow airport! Is looking forward to another stellar tour – likely to found in the Sugar Shack every night until the wee of hours of the morning.

RUSSELL "BOOKEND" LAMB

5th tour to Chiang Mai and will miss his room mate The Reverend who couldn’t make it to Chiang Mai again this year – apparently The Reverend has a busy schedule preaching outside KFC. Took a spectacular one handed catch on the boundary last year but otherwise performed to expectation. A fearless wicket keeper who will use any part of his body to stop balls that whiz past the batsmen from our pace attack. Just hope he doesn’t onion up again this year mid way through the week. Has bought the family back to Chiang Mai again this year to help keep his sanity in tact.

MICHAEL "CHIEF CLANCY WIGGUM" BURNS

10th tour to Chiang Mai and 6th year as Team Manager. Has returned to Chiang Mai without the family this year and is looking to celebrate his 10th tour in style with big Dan. A health scare during the year saw Wiggums give up fried foods including his beloved Chicken – dropped a lot of weight and is now down to a manageable 150kg. Still a prolific run scorer and displays gazelle like athleticism in the field. I’m sure you'll once again hear the dulcet tones of Wiggums on the commentary team throughout the week when he is not on the field, managing the Yarrambatians, acting as fines master for our group, serving behind the bar or eating whatever health foods are on sale this week!

ROB "CHOPS" BERNARD

5th tour to Chiang Mai and the 2nd as a player for the Yarrambat team. Put in a stunning display of cricket last year and has continued to perform in many 6’s competitions throughout Asia in preparation for Chiang Mai 2010. Took the Captain under his wing whilst Fabio was travelling throughout London during the year – had a big nets session with the Captain and decided to use his body rather than the bat to play many of his classic shots. Loves to make impassioned and emotional speeches and finds it easy to make friends. Still the only genuine nice guy in the group and the only one who takes the cricket seriously.

KIM and AMY SHAW

10th trip to Chiang Mai for the pair who seem to thoroughly enjoy themselves every year. A great source of revenue for the bar causing the blender to work overtime on the daiquiri’s. Will be seen throughout the week in the massage chairs during the day and markets at night. Looking forward to catching up with the many friends they have met over the years in Chiang Mai.

MICHAEL "MAD-DOG" BRAY

5th tour to Chiang Mai and will arrive mid week in time for finals action. Gave a classic motivational speech to the team before last years bowl final – seems to have worked as they chased down the 88 runs needed to win. Still chief statistician for the team and resident wine expert. You’ll see him at the ground early morning having his Bloody Mary’s for breakfast probably followed up with a glass of red for morning tea.

STEVE "THE JOKER" WALKER

5th tour to Chiang Mai sixes. The Joker is again back in the thick of things and has once again refused to buy a cap – despite the advice from the Team’s doctor who made an impassioned plea along the lines of thinning hair and the dangers of the sun. Will be seen throughout the week with his lens out and shirt off trying to impress the ladies around the ground.

JULIE & KIRSTY LAMB

3rd tour to Chiang Mai. Back once again to help keep Russell’s health in check and monitor the nocturnal activities of young Shanks! You’ll find the pair in the massage chairs once again, at the bar and generally waiting for the week to finish so they can head to the beach