Chiang Mai Sixes

Former Sri Lankan World Cup hero, Kumara Dharmasena, will be there, so will ex-Test captain, Duleep Mendis.

Former Australian spinner of the '80s, Tom Hogan's going, John Dyson wants to, Boland's provincial captain, Kenny Jackson, will join them, as will former Tasmanian Sheffield Shield player Errol Harris.

In fact, he hopes to stay.

So...., just where??? The world's most famous Sixes tournament, the Chiang Mai Sixes, that's where.

A field of 26 teams from 10 countries will converge on the northern Thailand city for one of cricket's most unique tournaments designed to cater to all abilities and attitudes from the very best, the most keen to the extremely social.

Dyson, the former Australian opener, only needs to hear 'yes' from his employer this week to join the cast of around 250 cricketers and characters appearing on Chiang Mai Sixes' unique setting in the middle of a golf course.

He's been before and ranks it highly.

"I've been to a few of those Sixes competitions, and I would rate it the best organised, perhaps only after the Singapore Sixes.

While Dyson, Hogan, Dharmasena, Mendis and co. are making flying visits to Chiang Mai, Errol Harris is hoping the trip to South East Asia develops a sense of permanency.

"I would like to coach anywhere in Asia," the experienced Harris said recently.

Harris said he hoped the cosmopolitan nature of the event would provide sufficient contacts to advertise his coaching skills, honed by a recent stint as a mentor of the Papua-New Guinea national team.

He said he would love to snare a role helping develop cricket somewhere in the East Asia-Pacific region.

"Probably my strength is that I am used to working with the conditions that you have to deal with in the region, after living in PNG.

"It was definitely a new experience. It was really starting at the grass roots level, getting used to the language and chewing the odd bit of beetle nut.

While high profile coaches often take time getting used to the players' commitment level in non-Test countries, Harris has done it all before.

Errol can be contacted on: +61-7-4051 5284, +61-41-7717289.

Here is the starting lineup for the 13th Chiang Mai Sixes:
(1) Perth Postels (Aust.), (2) SugarShack Postels (England),
(3) Bangkok Postels (Thai. & Eng.), (4) Perth Taverners (Aust.),
(5) Waratahs (Aust.), (6) Lik Lik Wombats (Aust.),
(7) Wombats (Aust.), (8) Darwin Dillettes (Aust.),
(9) Sclungers (Wales), (10) Kiwi Cavaliers (NZ),
(11) Royal Selangor Club (Malaysia), (12) Silver State (Malaysia),
(13) Lamma CC (Hong Kong), (14) Thai Cricket Association (Thailand),
(15) TBA (Thailand), (16) Gymkana Club (Thailand),
(17) Irish Pub-On Smooth Thai (Thai.), (18) Darjeeling (United Arab Emirates),
(19) CERN-Zuoz (Switzerland), (20) IOS Malaccas (Greece/Eng./Aust),
(21) Marlyebone Cricket Club (1), (22) MCC (2),
(23) Drifters (UK), (24) Kirkby-Malzeard (Yorkshire),
(25) British Airways (2) and (26) British Airways (1)