Cricket’s old fashioned virtues kept alive in Thailand

Cricket’s old fashioned virtues kept alive in Thailand
Arab News columnist Jon Pike, second left, with his team the Drifters at the Chiang Mai Sixes in Thailand. (Supplied)
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Updated 17 April 2025
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Cricket’s old fashioned virtues kept alive in Thailand

Cricket’s old fashioned virtues kept alive in Thailand
  • The Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes tournament has been held every year since 1988, apart from during the pandemic

Please excuse me for a touch of indulgence this week. As regular readers will know, I play each year in the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes tournament in northern Thailand. This has been held in late March/early April every year since 1988, apart from 2020-22, during the pandemic. This year, the 35th edition, so nearly did not happen.

In early October last year, the Gymkhana Club, where the tournament is hosted, was covered in 20 centimeters of mud and silt when the adjacent River Ping overflowed for a second time. The waters swept all before them from one end of the area to the other. Over the course of the next two months, the monumental task of clearing up was undertaken by a combination of golf caddies, local volunteers, tournament committee members and hired machinery.

Then came the returfing of the playing area. By the time the tournament opened, only a small area of the ground lacked turf — for some reason, I found myself fielding there. It has been an outstanding effort by everyone concerned to ensure the 2025 Chiang Mai Sixes could be held. Donations are still being received from friends and supporters to support the recovery program.

In its early days, the tournament attracted an impressive array of former international cricketers, including Dennis Lillie in 1994. England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka were always well represented. The latter continued to be involved until 2012; then, in a sign of cricket’s changing nature, their successors had many more options for their post cricket careers.

However, not all contact has been lost. One of those who last played in Chiang Mai in 2012, Amal Silva, paid a visit this year. He scored a century for Sri Lanka at Lords in his country’s first ever Test match in England in 1984. He recalls being motivated by a jibe from Ian Botham, who said Sri Lanka would be “a piece of cake for him.” England ought to have been wary, given that in the first ever Test between the two countries in Colombo in 2012 Sri Lanka had put in a competitive performance after sharing the spoils in a two-match One Day International series.

Another former player with a tale to tell also visited Chiang Mai this year, in support of the New Zealand-based team, the Divine Felons. John Morrison played 17 Test matches and 18 ODIs for New Zealand between 1973 and 1983. In the second of a three-match series against Australia at Sydney in January 1974, he scored a century in the second innings and was the highest run scorer on either side in the series, which Australia won 2-0. At Sydney, New Zealand was in a strong position but rain on the last day ruined the chance to square the series. Morrison points out that no New Zealand player has scored a Test match century at Sydney since 1974.

After cricket, Morrison went into commentating. He was also active in Wellington city politics between 1998 and 2013. When chatting to him, he remarked that the latter felt stranger than sitting in a cricket dressing room and he would love to have been good enough to write a script on what happens in debates. It is a shame his dry, understated wit has not had such a stage.

In 2025, the Chiang Mai Sixes consisted of 28 men’s teams and three women’s teams. Based on estimates of playing strength, the men were divided into a Players section of the strongest 12 and a Gentlemen’s section of 16 teams. In Round One, teams played three matches against teams in their section to generate a league table for Players and Gentlemen. This provided a basis to divide teams into five descending levels — Cup, Shield, Bowl, Plate and Spoon.

My team, the Drifters, is one of only three which has participated in every edition of the tournament. The other two are the Red Lion Wombats from Australia and Darjeeling Cricket Club of Dubai, which was formed in 1969. It is the oldest amateur cricket club in the UAE, consisting primarily of western expatriates. In both 2023 and 2024, the team finished third in the Cup.

The Wombats are an eclectic group, consisting mainly of Australians. Its composition has changed much over the years, but it still has the services of the only person to have played in every single edition of the tournament — Peter Nitschke. In 2024, the Wombats won the Plate but relinquished it in the 2025 semifinals. The composition of the Drifters has also morphed over time. Originally, it consisted of players from the UK. Now, it is largely made up of players who play for Pattaya Cricket Club in Thailand. The link has been forged by a Drifter, Simon Philbrook, as player and chair of that club over several years.

As a result, a strong set of younger players has supplemented those with years of experience. Last year, the team finished third in the Cup, alongside Darjeeling. In 2025, neither the 2024 Cup winners, the Bangladesh team, NCL Thunders, or the runners-up, St Francis de Sales of Australia, were present. Both Darjeeling and the Drifters knew this was their chance. The former have never won the Cup, whilst the last victory for the latter was in 1996. The Drifters were able to secure the services of Abaidullah, last year’s player of the tournament, from NCL.

In the Players section, the Drifters finished top with Darjeeling second. Both teams topped their Cup groups to progress to the semifinals, which both successfully negotiated to set up the Final. Going into that, the Drifters’ average score was 85 per innings compared with Darjeeling’s 63. However, the Drifters had conceded 65 runs per innings compared with 50 by Darjeeling. The question was whether Darjeeling could rein in the Drifters’ prolific batting.

Their strategy to do so was revealed when, on winning the toss, they elected to bowl. Abaidullah was not given freedom to hit legside sixes and was out, caught at long off for 19. Luke Stokes, voted player of the tournament, continued his imperious form, striking another unbeaten 30 before having to retire. When the mercurial Habby Singh was out the very next ball, 59 for three at the end of over four was below the Drifters normal strike rate. Mike Gerits added a valuable 14 from the final over to post a final score of 74. This was not an unimpregnable target but Darjeeling fell to 39 for three in the fourth over, Gerits and Stokes holding onto excellent catches in the deep.

Darjeeling had no option but to attack, which they did to good effect, entering the final over needing 18 to win. Drama then ensued. Philbrook, the Drifters wicketkeeper, suffered a tweaked hamstring and retired. He was replaced by your columnist, who watched as the batter struck the next ball sweetly, seemingly for six. After review, four runs were awarded, much to the angst of the opposition. Tim Peters, entrusted to bowl the last over, held his nerve and Darjeeling failed to level the scores by a single run in a thrilling conclusion.

Such an exciting finish was a fitting end to a well contested and organized tournament. After the initial disappointment of defeat, the Darjeeling cohort recovered its poise, chatting amiably with the Drifters in post-match revelry. Celebrations of a long-awaited Cup triumph continued for the Drifters, all of whom were grateful for the Arab News shirt sponsorship.


Mahuchikh hopes to show Ukraine’s resilience in Tokyo

Mahuchikh hopes to show Ukraine’s resilience in Tokyo
Updated 53 min 57 sec ago
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Mahuchikh hopes to show Ukraine’s resilience in Tokyo

Mahuchikh hopes to show Ukraine’s resilience in Tokyo

TOKYO: Olympic high jump champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh said Saturday she wants to “show people that Ukraine continues fighting” as she seeks to lay down a marker in Tokyo ahead of September’s world championships.
The 23-year-old is competing in Sunday’s Golden Grand Prix in the Japanese capital at the same stadium where she will attempt to defend her world title later this year.
Mahuchikh has emerged as one of Ukraine’s top athletes since Russia invaded the country in 2022.
She set a world record of 2.10m last year before winning gold at the Paris Games.
She said: “every competition is important for me because I represent my country.”
“I do my best to show people that Ukraine continues fighting for independence,” she said.
“I’m really proud to represent my country so I’m looking forward to coming back in September to protect my title of world champion.”
Mahuchikh has been outspoken in her support of Ukraine, dedicating her Olympic gold to the hundreds of athletes and coaches who have been killed since the invasion began.
Her country was again in her thoughts as she set her sights on defending her world title.
“Of course, I have a target to win the gold medal,” she said.
“I want to just give my people a happy time because, unfortunately, now is a difficult time — only sport and art can give these memories.”
Mahuchikh is competing in Tokyo for the first time since the pandemic-postponed Olympics in 2021, where she won bronze.
She has since gone from strength to strength, capturing the world title in Budapest in 2023 and Olympic gold a year later.
She said she wanted to savour the atmosphere in Tokyo after fans were locked out four years ago because of pandemic restrictions.
“I want to give the energy to the people, to my fans because I didn’t have time in Covid time to enjoy this atmosphere,” she said.
“Tomorrow it will be an incredible atmosphere for sure. It will be a great preparation before the world championships in September.”
American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who won Olympic silver in Paris, will race for the first time this season in the women’s 100m in Tokyo.
American Christian Coleman headlines the men’s 100m race.


NBA champion Celtics eliminated from playoffs by rampant Knicks

NBA champion Celtics eliminated from playoffs by rampant Knicks
Updated 17 May 2025
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NBA champion Celtics eliminated from playoffs by rampant Knicks

NBA champion Celtics eliminated from playoffs by rampant Knicks

NEW YORK: The New York Knicks thrashed the Boston Celtics 119-81 to send the defending champions crashing out of the NBA playoffs on Friday.
The Knicks booked their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years with a rampant display to complete a 4-2 series victory.
Six Knicks players finished in double figures, with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby leading the way with 23 points apiece.
Mikal Bridges drained four three-pointers on his way to 22 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 21. Josh Hart finished with a triple-double of 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
The blowout win sets up a showdown against the Knicks’ arch-rivals the Indiana Pacers next week for a place in the NBA Finals.
New York will head into that best-of-seven series brimming with confidence after an electrifying performance that swept aside a Boston team who had dominated the Knicks in a game five win on Wednesday.
“In game five they got the best of us and we responded tonight,” Brunson told ESPN after Friday’s win. “We just found a way to keep making plays on the defensive side, the offense was just rolling.”
Brunson will spearhead the Knicks challenge 25 years after his father Rick was a member of the New York team that last played in the Eastern Conference finals in 2000.
“This is great. I mean, the fact that we haven’t been here since my dad was on the team — he’s not gonna like that — but it means a lot to this organization and this city.”
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said his team had delivered a complete performance to oust the reigning champions.
“I thought from start to finish we were terrific,” Thibodeau said. “ are a terrific team on both sides of the ball. They play their style no matter what, and so they’re not going to hand you anything. You have to earn it. And I felt we did that.
“But we can’t get carried away. Obviously it’s a great win and we advance. But you also understand that you have to get ready for the next series. We know that Indiana is a terrific team and we’re going to have to be ready.”
A slew of celebrities such as Timothee Chalamet, Lenny Kravitz, Ben Stiller and Spike Lee were courtside at Madison Square Garden to see the Knicks romp to victory.
Boston — who were dealt a crushing blow in game four with a season-ending injury to star Jayson Tatum — had given their fans hope of a miraculous comeback after their game five win.
But those hopes were snuffed out in ruthless fashion as the Knicks edged into an early 26-20 first quarter lead before burying Boston in an an avalanche of second quarter scoring.
The Knicks outscored the Celtics 38-17 in the second quarter to take a 64-37 lead at halftime, a 27-point cushion that all but extinguished Boston’s challenge.
New York kept the points flowing in the third quarter, stretching their lead to as many as 41 points at one stage as they surged to victory.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics scoring with 20 points with Al Horford adding 10 points and Payton Pritchard finishing with 11.
Derrick White, who scored 34 points in Boston’s game five win on Wednesday, was kept quiet with just eight points.
“At the end of the day, we set a goal out, and we didn’t achieve that goal,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said afterwards.
“But that shouldn’t take away from the mindset and effort that the players put in...the approach, the process, you can’t ask for anymore from the guys. I thought they gave everything they had throughout the season.
“You have to take your hats off to the Knicks. They played a great series and they’ve been great all year, and Thibs is a great coach — so you have to take your hat off to them.”


Chelsea beat Manchester United to stay on course for Champions League

Chelsea beat Manchester United to stay on course for Champions League
Updated 17 May 2025
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Chelsea beat Manchester United to stay on course for Champions League

Chelsea beat Manchester United to stay on course for Champions League

LONDON: Chelsea stayed in the hunt for a Champions League place next season with a nervy 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Friday, courtesy of a second-half goal from Marc Cucurella.
The Spain full back headed home from close range, turning in a cross from captain Reece James, who bamboozled the United defense with a twist and turn in the 71st minute.
“I knew I had space and time. I knew I put the ball in a good area, this guy was always arriving,” James told Sky Sports, standing alongside Cucurella.
James had hit the post in the first half with a stinging shot shortly after United defender Harry Maguire had the ball in the Chelsea net, only for VAR to rule it marginally offside.
United had few other chances, and Chelsea were tense but dominant for most of the match.
The result lifted Chelsea to fourth in the Premier League above Aston Villa, who earlier beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0, with one game left in the season for both sides.
“The Champions League is where the club belongs, competing in the best competitions,” James said.

The top five in the table qualify for the Champions League, which has been Chelsea’s target since Enzo Maresca took over as coach at the start of the season.
Relieved Maresca and his bench as well players and fans celebrated wildly at the final whistle.
It was the last home game of the season for Chelsea whose form has run hot and cold under since the Italian took over, and they circled the ground with a lap of honor before leaving the pitch.

Their last game is away to Nottingham Forest, who lie seventh and are still chasing qualification, next weekend.
United, whose target after a woeful season, is winning the Europa League final against Tottenham next Wednesday, are 16th.


Villa cruise past sorry Spurs to boost Champions League push

Villa cruise past sorry Spurs to boost Champions League push
Updated 17 May 2025
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Villa cruise past sorry Spurs to boost Champions League push

Villa cruise past sorry Spurs to boost Champions League push
  • Emery’s Villa fifth in Premier League with one game left
  • Yet another defeat for Spurs, ahead of Europa League final

BIRMINGHAM: High-flying Aston Villa comfortably dispatched Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the Premier League on Friday to keep up their quest for more Champions League football and leave their wounded visitors focused on next week’s Europa League final.
With Villa dominating possession in a party atmosphere for their final home game of the season, the breakthrough came in the 59th minute when center-back Ezri Konsa whipped home after Ollie Watkins headed the ball into his path from a corner.
Midfielder Boubacar Kamara rifled home Villa’s second in the 73rd minute to end the tepid resistance of Spurs, who hope to salvage an otherwise miserable season in Bilbao next week if they can beat Manchester United to lift the Europa League.
With one fixture left, Villa are on 66 points and fifth in the Premier League — the last qualifying berth for the Champions League. Chelsea are above them on goal difference after beating Manchester United also on Friday.
Manchester City are sixth on 65 points but with two games left.
Villa goalscorer Konsa said his goal came from a corner routine the team had worked on during the week, setting them on their way for a remarkable eighth consecutive home win.
“I’m just glad that we managed to get the win on our last home game and give the fans something to cheer for,” he said.
“We knew today was a must-win. We want to play Champions League football again. We had a taste of it this season, got to the quarters. For us as players, it’s the competition that you want to play in.”
After suffering a 21st defeat in this season, Spurs sit a woeful 17th in the Premier League with 38 points, just above the bottom three already relegated sides.

Son looking fit
Plagued by injuries, Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou at least had the pleasure of seeing his captain Son Heung-min, recently back, looking unscathed for the Bilbao clash.
“He is ready and available,” Postecoglou said. It was important tonight and he feels like he is getting back to some rhythm.”
Son was involved in the Londoners’ best attacking buildups, but in truth they posed little danger. Villa enjoyed 69 percent possession and had 18 shots to Spurs’ three even without showing their usual intensity.
The home side’s Morgan Rogers nearly saw a glancing header tipped round by Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, Marco Asensio tormented the visitors with his footwork, and the ever-dangerous Watkins saw a low shot fly just past the post.
“Very very happy,” said Villa coach Unai Emery, punching the air in joy before posing with fans for selfies after the game.
The Spaniard was enjoying his 100th league game as Villa boss, including 54 victories.
“We have to try keep being consistent like we are now, focused and demanding,” he added. “There’s still work to do, to have the chance of playing Champions League.”
Villa’s final Premier League game is away at Manchester United while Chelsea go to Nottingham Forest.
Manchester City face Bournemouth at home then Fulham away.
Spurs’ under-fire boss Postecoglou praised his team’s endeavour at Villa Park but said ultimately they ran out of steam.
Now winless in six Premier League games, Spurs’ best effort came when winger Wilson Odobert’s backheel almost deceived Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez before he recovered to make the save.
“Up until they scored, the boys worked hard, we didn’t let them create too many openings, we had our moments too,” Potecoglou said.
“Once they scored, I think we lost belief and we were fatiguing, then the game just got away with us.”


Vegas clings to PGA lead as Kim, Scheffler charge

Vegas clings to PGA lead as Kim, Scheffler charge
Updated 17 May 2025
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Vegas clings to PGA lead as Kim, Scheffler charge

Vegas clings to PGA lead as Kim, Scheffler charge
  • Vegas closed with a double bogey to fire a one-under-par 70

CHARLOTTE: Jhonattan Vegas, chasing his first major title, clung to a two-stroke lead in Friday’s second round of the PGA Championship while top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and South Korean Kim Si-woo made late charges at Quail Hollow.
Vegas closed with a double bogey to fire a one-under-par 70 and stand on eight-under 134 after 36 holes with France’s Matthieu Pavon shooting 65 to share second with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Kim on 136.
“It was a great day,” Vegas said. “I can’t really get too down on myself for making double on 18. I feel like I managed my game really well. I was feeling it out there. It was nice to keep the momentum. The game was there and the feeling was good.
“I wasn’t happy to finish with that double on 18 but we have two more days to go.”
Kim aced the par-three sixth hole from 252 yards with a five-wood, hitting the longest hole-in-one in major history, and added six birdies against a lone bogey to equal Max Homa for the day’s low round of 64.
“It was exciting,” Kim said of the ace. “I hit it like exactly how I wanted. So it was cool and it was pretty memorable hole-in-one in major.”
Sharing fifth in the clubhouse were Americans Homa and Scheffler, who shot 68 to stand on 137 — three off the lead.
“A little below average for me,” Scheffler said. “I felt like I did a good job scoring. I was able to hit the right shots when I need to.”
Scheffler’s playing partners in the feature group — second-ranked Masters winner Rory McIlroy and third-ranked defending champion Xander Schauffele — grinded through the final hole just to make the cut on the number at one-over 143.
McIlroy, who completed a career Grand Slam with his Masters win, closed bogey-bogey to flirt with missing the weekend, lipping out from three feet for par at 17 and hitting off a hospitality tent roof into rough at 18 and two-putting for bogey from 36 feet to shoot 69.
Closing par putts at 17 and 18 from inside four feet gave Schauffele a 71.
Vegas, who fired a 64 on Thursday, never lost the lead despite pressure while Pavon and Homa each delivered their career-low major rounds.
“That was really very solid,” Pavon said. “Got a nice momentum with the putter early on. A few birdies on the front nine helped me to be more confident on the back nine. Overall it was a super satisfying day.”
Homa shot 30 on the same back nine where he fired 39 on Thursday.
“I knew the game was good,” Homa said. “Didn’t know I was going to shoot seven-under but I’ll take it.”
Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, fired a 68 and will draw upon his major win to try and pad his trophy haul.
“The fact I’ve done it before, that’s always a big confidence boost,” he said. “You can lean on that. I’m just happy to be in this position.”
World number 70 Vegas was set to become the lowest-ranked player to lead a major outright after each of the first two rounds since American Gil Morgan at the 1992 US Open.
Vegas was battling after a sleepless night sitting on the lead.
“Not getting a great sleep and having to come back early put me not in the best mood all day,” Vegas said. “It felt like three hours, but I probably got a little bit more than that. I got some sleep but it wasn’t the best.”
American Jordan Spieth, needing a win the complete a career Grand Slam, missed the cut on 144.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, whose 19 made major cuts were the longest active streak, and two-time major winner Justin Thomas were out on 145.