The just-completed 17th Chiang Mai International Cricket
Sixes and the Fifth Chiang Mai Sawasdee Cricket Cup, played out at the
magnificent 106-year-old Chiengmai Gymkhana Club, was, indeed, a great
success, especially for the development of junior cricket in Thailand.
A
‘miniature’ cricketer handles the hard ball - and looks just like a test
player.
All proceeds from the tournament, including 10 percent of
the bar takings and several bonus features were donated to the advancement
of junior cricket in the Kingdom or, as the motto said, “Building a future
for Cricket in Thailand,” via the Chiang Mai Schools Cricket Alliance
(CMSCA), numbering some 20 schools.
It was indeed a strange name for the winners of the
Premier Division, the Cup. The Yes No Wait Sorries team, scoring 68 runs
easily defeated their English compatriots (with a few co-opted cricketers
from elsewhere) The Vagrants, who scored a lowly 46, to take home the Cup
title.
Yes, No,
Wait, Sorries brandish their Cup. Maurice Bromley, tournament director (R).
In the second division, the Bowl, it was Aussie vs
Aussie. Title-holders from last year - the Moonshine Warathais looked set to
win over the Aussie-Welsh combination the Marchwiel Outlaws. But it was not
to be. The Outlaws smashed a stunning 99 runs, for the loss of only one
wicket - the highest score of the week’s cricket.
The Outlaws, sponsored by popular umpire John Bell, are
on their way to England to play club cricket for a season or two. Skipper
Dean Morrison and Zak Pacey were in top batting form and, in fact, Dean was
awarded as the “Player of the Tournament”, excelling in both batting and
bowling.
But, in spite of former Test Cricketer Trevor
Chappell’s great effort for 32 ret., the Warathais, the Aussie lads from
Newcastle, were not in the event and lost by 44 runs, finishing with 55-4.
The Third Division, the Plate was re-named the Joe
Carpenter Plate, in memory of constant player for Darjeeling, Joe Carpenter
who had passed away just prior to this year’s Sixes.
Another first was created at this Year’s Sixes when in
the Plate final, England’s Ashwell Crusaders tied with Bangkok’s
Southerners, both scoring 76-2.
Other winners were the Bangkok Postels (mainly Aussies)
65 for no loss, defeating Halylt 61-3.
The Chiang Mai Chassies knew what to do with their
chassies, maintaining their unbeaten record against the World Women Dixie
Belles, in the Women’s Challenge.
Some of the Thai juniors played a “hard-ball”
exhibition game and showed that the standard is becoming ever-higher as they
displayed some excellent batting, fielding and took some spectacular
catches. Even the tiniest of them looked every centimetre a “cricketer”
with all the trappings befitting a test player.
There were two big signs outside the perimeter, one was
“Big 10 Champion” and the other “Big 10 Dimon Leaf (Thailand)/Standard
International Tobacco”. The purpose was, any player who could hit the sign
would be accorded 10 runs (a first in international cricket), but more
importantly, each sponsor would donate 4,000 baht to the advancement of
junior cricket. There were two “bulls eyes”.
The week was an outstanding success, with tournament
director Maurice Bromley and wife Renita running their usual excellent show;
Rick Davis recited his ongoing, witty commentary all day, interspersed with
much humour. His dulcet tones were ubiquitous.
And, not the least, the Pattaya teams were there in full
force: Landlord Kim Fletcher and his Shenanigans Malakas. Kim distinguished
himself by staying at bat during a whole innings. His team-mates, however,
were not all that enthralled with his bowling...!
The Living Dolls (yes, sponsored by Ken on Walking
Street), with Rob Roberts the veteran of the tournament, making,
incidentally, his first 31 ret.
No doubt, all will be back for the 18th in 2005. It gives them a year to
recover and gives Geoff Thompson time to produce a new programme - as lively
and readable as ever.
Assoc
Prof Dr. Nipon Tuwanon, Chiang Mai University president.