Chiang Mai Sixes: Bigger and better than ever after 30 years

THE Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes is one of the largest amateur cricket tournaments in the world and one of the most long-lasting having been played for the first time in 1988.

LAST year saw a great celebration as the tournament was held for the 30th time and 2018 sees the completion of a full 30 years of a wonderful event that brings hundreds of people to visit the historic city of Chiang Mai annually. The 2018 Chiang Mai Sixes runs from Sunday, April 1 to Saturday, April 7 and 36 men’s teams will take part at the Sixes this year, along with four ladies teams, so there is a chance for cricketers of all abilities to win a trophy.

Many well-known international players have taken part in the Sixes over the past 30 years including former England captain Mike Gatting who summed up the unique atmosphere of the Chiang Mai event: ‘this tournament is all about making friends and I have enjoyed myself immensely’. Teams from all over the world have taken part in the Sixes, and the Bashundhara Cricketeers from Bangladesh has often been the team to beat over the past decade. The NCL Dynamites are travelling from Dhaka this year looking to win the Cup, along with a veteran team full of former Bangladesh Test players who are looking to remind spectators of their considerable talent.

The tournament is not just about the overseas teams as a host of Chiang Mai local teams also take part in the ​competition with the young Thai cricketers particularly enjoying the experience of playing on such a big stage.

The Chiang Mai Sixes supports the excellent work done by Chiang Mai Schools Cricket Alliance by providing coaching in local schools. It pays for underprivileged Thai children’s educational needs through the Hill Tribe Fund. Over the years, many of the regular teams have made generous donations of cricketing equipment for junior cricketers with Chris Love of Blythswood CC contributing to a recent visit to Gymkhana Club in Chiang Mai. Local children and the youngsters who play for the Lanna Thais team were delighted when they were able to take the field in brand new cricket shoes.

Thanks to all our generous sponsors and advertisers who help support the event with CM Custom Tailors for the blazers so they can look smart on a cricket tour. Please come to Gymkhana Club to watch the event that combines some entertaining cricket, a great social scene and most importantly helps young and often underprivileged Thai children gain enjoyment and better opportunity in life from playing cricket as well as looking after their needs off the field.
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Full coverage of the Chiang Mai Sixes is on www.chiangmaisixes.cricket, and we will be providing live streaming of every match and ball-by-ball scorecard updates for 2018.