CityNews – The Sixes, held at the historic Chieng Mai Gymkhana Club, itself now 120 years old, runs for seven days from 1st to 7th April.
Day 1
The first day of the 2018 Chiang Mai Sixes saw some wonderful cricket as it was broadcast to the world on Facebook and on the Sixes website. The Bangladesh boys were back after an absence of two years with two teams as the NCL Dynamites beat Margate and the NCL Masters lost to St Francis. Last year’s champions Kashmir CC have reformed as Kashmir Thunder but their star man Abaid, player of the tournament last year, was out first ball against Divine Felons. Beaten finalists Yorkshire Puddings were impressive against Lanna but UN Irish Pub got off to a good start by beating Bristol. Young Australian side Got the Runs could be this year’s dark horses as they defeated Roosters, a team full of experienced English club cricketers.
Thai Thevada got the tournament underway early on Sunday morning as they were narrowly beaten by Awali Taverners while Floggers and Robbers played two matches in the day, winning one and losing one as man of the day John Wood scored two 30s. A wonderful day’s
cricket ended with two ladies matches as Australian team Central Spirit gave a great exhibition of their cricket skills against the Varee Thai Angels.
Day 2
Some wonderful action was seen on the second day of the 2018 Chiang Mai Sixes and spectators needed to be at the ground early to see Kashmir Thunder overcome Clifton Hill Stray Cats in the first match of the day in a classic encounter.
NCL Dynamites from Bangladesh gave an outstanding display as they scored 104 in five overs against Lord’s Taverners. St Francis de Sales lost to Yorkshire Puddings in the Cup semi-finals last year but they gained emphatic revenge on their rivals as Aaron Maynard claimed three catches and a wicket then scored an unbeaten 29 in a remarkable all-round display. Thunder, Dynamites and St Francis have all now have two wins in the Players’ Section and the other front-runners are UN Irish Pub who gained their second victory by defeating Roosters.
Former Bangladesh captain Faruque Ahmed played for NCL Masters against Lanna as Thai junior Chaiwut dismissed first-class player Rubaiyat in an exciting last-over finish. Darjeeling are the leading team in the Gentlemen’s Section after two convincing victories and competitive cricket continued right to the end of the day as newcomers Beijing Ducks, watched by team-mates back in China, beat Awali, and the young Thai Thevada side defeated Darwin Dilettantes in the last match of the day.
For more information please visit http://www.chiangmaisixes.cricket/