Chiang Mai Sixes: It's a party with a soul

Mike Gatting is a former English Test captain and the man who faced the "Ball of the Century" - Trevor Chappell has two elder brothers who played cricket and was the bowler blamed with causing a war of words at the highest level.

They will be amongst an "All Star" team which will play off against a Sri Lankan combination including Roshan Mahanama, Amal Silva and some of Sri Lanka's best young players next month in northern Thailand.

However the beauty of the where they will be is that although in name and reputation, they are so-called stars, they will be names only during the six day cricket love-in that is the 15th annual Chiang Mai Sixes.

The famous have made their cameos throughout the history of the cricket world's biggest and arguably best amateur Sixes tournament - Dennis Lillee, Mike Proctor, Clive Rice, Geoff Lawson, Graeme Pollock, Jeremy Coney, Damian Fleming, Ian Harvey and Alvin Kallicharran all mingling with the either the talent/opportunity/fitness/attitude stunted or deprived during the history of the tournament.

What brings teams back to this tournament held in northern Thailand's biggest city (1.5 million people) - two, the Wombats from Australia and the United Kingdom based Drifters, have appeared in all 15 tournaments since 1987, is apparently superb organisation based around everyone being assured of a good time. Another four teams are back for the ninth appearance in succession.

While the All Stars match provides the celebrity factor, the record 30 teams appearing in the 2002 tournament get plenty of cricket and off-field activity.

The teams supposedly striving for ultimate glory compete for the Cup and are split into six groups of four, with the two best placed teams in each group advancing to the Cup competition, and six social teams, including the Wombats playing off for the Spoon.

The third place getters in the initial phase contest the Bowl with those last in the Cup division competing for the Plate.

It is the club players though from Thailand, England, Wales, Australia, Bahrain, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Africa which provide the spirit of the tournament, none more so than 85 year old Richard Wood, whose father was one of the original founders of the Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club, in 1898.

Richard is understood to have been a recent player at the Sixes, and is suitably afforded his own tent, "Wood's View", which he is reputed to defend doggedly.

The billing of 'a good time for all' is not completely what the tournament is about. Through the initiative of the Chiang Mai Sixes organisers 'Sawasdee Cricket' or Kanga Cricket in Chiang Mai was introduced with 12-15 junior teams now playing cricket regularly in Chiang Mai. A Kanga Cricket tournament is held concurrently with the Chiang Mai Sixes. Significantly, the funds needed to keep this programme alive are replenished during the Sixes by donations from the players.

The tournament has been designed to appeal to everyone with women's matches played every year on finals day, and in past years spectators get more than they expected with random appearances by streakers, as well as Tuk Tuk (three wheel motor cycle) races .

Cricket in Chiang Mai has a sporadic history dating back to 1898, when the ground now employed for the Sixes was first cleared and devoted to cricket. It (when used as for cricket) is the oldest in Thailand, although, interestingly, it converts to being a golf course and driving range before and after the Sixes.

Tournament organiser, Maurice Bromley, describes the pitch as 'superb and very true'.

So although, with "300 cases" or 2400 litres of beer, if your correspondant's mathematics is right, are consumed by about 400 players, friends, organisers and spectators during the six days there is undoubtedly a solid social agenda to the Sixes, it is a tournament with a soul, catering to all and striving to ensure everyone leaves with good memories.

Group 1 - Slammers (Thailand/Zimbabwe), Darjeeling (UAE), Kiteboys (England), BA Dragons (Wales)
Group 2 - Perth Postels (Australia), Almar CC (South Africa), Kelawar CC (Malaysia), Ashwell Crusaders (England)
Group 3 - Darwin Dilettantes (Australia), Silver State (Malaysia), Manila Nomads (Philippines), Afghanistan
Group 4 - Lords Taverners (Australia), Lysaht Southerners (Thailand), CMW Warriors (Thailand/India), Kirkby Vampires (England)
Group 5 - Gloucestershire Gypsies (England), Warbler Bunny Club (Bahrain), Stockton Seagulls (Australia), HALYLT (England)
Group 6 - Warathais (Australia), Drifters (England), Jack Frost (England), Shanghai Cavaliers (China)

Spoon Group - Bangkok Postels, Wombats, Gymkhana Cavaliers, Pectel 69s, IOS Malakas, Irish Pub

STARS CHALLENGE - Two matches of the international stars only

This I feel is a lovely testament to what the Chiang Mai Sixes is all about. Yes - it is a great event, runs well and everybody has a great time, but it is what our people have done to help others less fortunate that is a greater testament to the friendships that have been developed from our event. Many of the Chiang Mai Thai school children playing "sawasdee" cricket to-day are from the poorest of families and backgrounds, cricket has brought a lot of joy to their lives.