Sunday saw the conclusion to the inaugural Thailand International Cricket Sixes, and what a dramatic day it was. The scriptwriters could not have made up a better ending for the organisers, the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour in conjunction with Southerners CC of Bangkok.
Teams returned from a well-deserved rest at The Chaophya Park Hotel to a damp Harrow International School ground to complete the preliminary games.
Saturday’s late games saw Shanghai Dragons post 1/110 (Jon Newton 31*) against Bounty Buccaneers 2/26. Richard Oster recorded his second retirement of the day for Southerners Gold who ended up with 0-87 against Jakarta Rebels 2/46. CBB SC’s scored 2/81 with Saurav Chattergee starring with 30* opposed to Southerners Black’s 52 to bring proceedings to an end for the day.
On Sunday morning CBB Postels could only muster 2/33 against Southerners Gold who knocked off the target without loss. CBB SK’s (3/20) didn’t fair any better chasing Shanghai’s 0/83 for whom Jon Newton hammered another undefeated innings. CBB SC’s 0/72 consisted of a fine Mark Woods knock while the Bounty Buccs could only reply with 4/26.
Etihad Airways made hard work of chasing down the CBB Postels 1/44, finally reaching their target with two balls to spare. Jakarta only just overcame the Rough Edged Gents before a real nail biter, and indeed shock ended the prelims. When Southerners Black reached 5/53, it appeared to be game over against winless CBB SK’s. However, how wrong could the aficionados be? Cathy Gavin had taken a wicket before her husband Carl, smashed a retirement. It was then left to CBB stalwart, Swiss Cyrus Maybud to hit the winning runs with a ball to spare.
The semi finals of the Plate saw CBB SK’s 1/44 fell well short of Jakarta’s 1/65 while CBB Postels 2/43 was never going to be enough to trouble Southerners Black.
The Cup semi’s produced cricket of the highest quality. Southerners Gold’s 2/66 looked as though it was going to be too many for CBB SC’s until one superb over of hitting from old stager Ian Liddell turned the tide. The winning runs were scored from the last ball. Shanghai’s 0/68 consisted of another great knock from Sanjay Anagula against Etihad and it looked like it was going to be enough. However, amazing knocks from Sanket Nayak and Azam Qazi saw the Abu Dhabi based outfit home with a ball to spare.
The Bowl Final saw the Rough Edged Gents defeat the Bounty Buccaneers by 22 runs to lift silverware at the first attempt. Lee Keohane contributed 21 but Stuart Tasker took the man of the match award with 31*.
Southerners Black lifted the Plate title chasing down the spirited Rebels target of 4/49 with just 2 balls remaining. Jakarta were severely hampered by a bad injury to Robbie Whiteman who battled on to the end. The hosts Jay Lamey took the man of the match accolades for his 31 not out.
The best was yet to come as the Cup Final was a brilliant advert for the tournament and sixes cricket. In a vibrant atmosphere CBB SC’s 2/70 (made up of some monster hits from Saurav Chattergee and Imran Indrees) was always going to be a stiff target for Etihad in fading light. With an over to go they still needed 16 which they reduced to 9 from two balls. Azam Qazi hit a six before two were scrambled from the last ball leaving the scores level. The tension mounted before ACST Chairman, Michael “Cat” Maher declared Etihad the winners on virtue of losing fewer wickets in the game. Sankat Nayak was man of the match.
The presentations, which also saw Southerners Gold, Richard Oster named as Player of the Tournament, brought the hugely successful event to a close.
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