Thailand Cricket Flourishing!

[mittheimp]

This was on a recent article on cricinfo.com (the worlds no1 cricket site)- Sounds quite promising!

Sixes of Chiang Mai

Thailand, where the latest season just got underway, is not just the home of the world famous Chiang Mai Sixes - it is also has one of Asian cricket's fastest growing junior development programmes.

Over 98% of the 4000 children playing cricket in the Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Petchabun, Chonburi, Hua Hin and Phuket regions are Thai. Around 2000 are playing in Chiang Mai schools alone, where eight full-time coaches are working hard. In Bangkok, the Thai Junior Cricket League has formed a close association with one of the best international schools in Thailand, the Bangkok Pattana, which has already installed a synthetic wicket for the junior league, while cricket nets will be completed soon. The Bangkok junior league has about eight teams, players ranging in age between 9 and 12.

Six of the national Under-19 team which competed in the Asian titles in Nepal last week are Thais. The pick is 14-year-old left-arm spinner, Khon Kaen.

Only ground availability is preventing more cricket being played at the adult level, where a 'C' Grade 25-over competition has been introduced for cricketers who can only spare half a day. A record 19 teams will contest the three divisions. A new field is expected to be completed halfway through this season, allowing another two teams to join next season.

Meanwhile, defending A Grade premier champions, Indian CC, experiencing renewal from the children of original club members coming through, are likely to be challenged by several teams, Thai Colts perhaps the most ominous threat. Colts form the the bulk of the national Under-19 team which went to Nepal and have played together for several years.

The remaining A Grade sides, British Club Elite, Royal Bangkok Sports Club, Bangkok CC, Siam CC, Champions and Southerners are all expected to be competitive in the race for the finals, which are played after an eight-game round robin.

Thailand's proud tradition of Sixes tournaments is shared with Chiang Mai by Bangkok, Hua Hin, and more recently Phuket. The Bangkok Sixes is run by the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, held on two of the best cricket fields in Asia, right in the heart of Bangkok.

To find out more about Thai cricket, please visit our website at www.thailandcricket.com or email either [email protected] or [email protected] for further information.-Peter Goodchap [/font]

for the full article -

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/226745.html

[Pink Mist]

There's a good comp going on in Khonkaen and is supported by some Expats, they one the Thai Champs last year I think.

[ProfessorFart]

Its good to see cricket gaining in popularity in Thailand.

One can only hope it takes off and a more recognised form of the game takes off there. That said sixes is as good a starting point as any!