Published on Feb 15, 2005

The organisers of this year’s Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes are bracing for an invasion of the aristocracy after inviting both Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Mick Jagger to this year’s event.

Negotiations are underway to try to bring Richards – one of the legends of the game and recently named by cricket bible Wisden as one of the top five players of the 20th century – to Chiang Mai, but sponsors are needed.

Jagger is no stranger to Thailand, having spent a lot of time holidaying at the luxury Amanpuri Resort in Phuket, and is also a big cricket fan. No doubt he will be in the stands later this year when Australia play England in the Ashes series.

The Rolling Stones singer is a keen cricket supporter and player, and the organisers are hoping he can find time to visit the Sixes.

Now in its 18th year, the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes started in 1988 as a northern breakaway from the six-a-side tournament still held annually at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, and now is probably the world’s biggest and most popular amateur cricket tournament.

With more than 300 visitors travelling from overseas to Chiang Mai for the Sixes every year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to support the event. The surprise perhaps is that no other major sponsor has so far spotted this opportunity.

It is now Chiang Mai’s longest-running international sports event, and remains a vibrant and gloriously enjoyable week of sport and socialising. A total of 31 teams from 11 countries are lined-up to play in this year’s tournament, which has been expanded to a full seven days and promises to be one of the biggest ever. It runs from March 27 to April 2 and is held in the grounds of the 107-year-old Chiengmai Gymkhana Club.

The event also helps promote the development of junior cricket in Thailand. It will include on an adjacent field a competition for the sixth Sixes Sawasdee Cricket Cup for Thai school teams.

Up to 16 school teams are expected to compete this year, and the young players get plenty of help and advice from the senior stars of the Sixes.

The competition coincides with the Thai school holidays, but thanks to the help of teachers and parents a good turnout of budding cricketers is again hoped for.

There will also be a junior hardball exhibition match between two teams representing local youngsters who have graduated from Sawasdee Cricket – a softball, junior version of the sport – to the hardball adult game.

To be played on Saturday, April 2, on the main pitch, the short match is a demonstration of the progress being made in junior Thai cricket development in Chiang Mai, where some of the boys have already represented Thailand at under-13 level.

Six-a-side cricket is perfect for a big tournament format with 40 minutes per match and some fast and exciting play. Spectators are very much welcomed. Entry is free, there is shaded seating and a friendly all-day bar right on the boundary.

Alan Parkhouse

The Nation