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)
Short Url
Updated 17 April 2025
Follow

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.


Real Madrid signs Spain defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth

Updated 35 sec ago
Follow

Real Madrid signs Spain defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth

MADRID: Real Madrid has signed highly rated Spain defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth in its first reinforcement of the offseason.
The Spanish powerhouse said Saturday that the 20-year-old Huijsen had signed a five-year deal through June 2030. Madrid reportedly agreed to pay the player’s 50-million pound ($66.4 million) clause to sign him from Bournemouth.
Huijsen is a Dutch-born, ball-playing center back who joined the Premier League team from Juventus for a reported 12.5 million pounds (now $16.6 million) in the offseason last year. He was a regular for Bournemouth since breaking into the team in November.
He impressed so much that he earned a call-up by Spain for the Nations League playoffs in March, coming on a substitute in the first leg against the Netherlands and then starting the second leg.
Assured on the ball and a good reader of the game, Huijsen had been linked with some of the biggest teams in the Premier League in recent months, including Liverpool and Arsenal, so it was increasingly inevitable Bournemouth would be losing the tall defender over the summer — but making a big profit in the process.
Madrid needs to rebuild a defense after multiple injuries to its backline during a trophyless 2024-25 campaign.

Olaroiu targets AFC Champions League Two with Sharjah as Singapore’s Lion City Sailors stand in the way

Updated 47 min 12 sec ago
Follow

Olaroiu targets AFC Champions League Two with Sharjah as Singapore’s Lion City Sailors stand in the way

  • The Romanian coach has claimed domestic trophies everywhere he has managed but not yet tasted glory on the continent 

AUSTRALIA: Cosmin Olaroiu has just about won it all during his time as a manager, with success following the Romanian in stints in China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and, of course, the UAE.

It is in the Emirates that he has spent the bulk of his coaching career, and had most of his success, working at Shabab Al-Ahli, Al-Ain and, most recently, at Sharjah; winning four league titles, two President’s Cups, three League Cups and five Super Cups along the way.

Add those to league titles in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, and China with Jiangsu Suning, and a Qatar Stars Cup with Al-Sadd, and the 55-year-old Bucharest native is one of the most decorated coaches in the history of club football in Asia.

But one thing has eluded the burly Romanian across his almost two decades coaching in Asia — continental silverware. That could finally change against Singapore’s Lion City Sailors on Sunday night.

Olaroiu took Al-Ahli, as Shabab Al-Ahli were then known, to the final of the AFC Champions League in 2015, but came up just short against the now defunct Chinese heavyweights Guangzhou Evergrande, losing 1-0 across the two-legged affair.

Having exacted a modicum of revenge by dethroning Guangzhou when he was coach of Jiangsu Suning, winning the club their first ever league title in 2020, he never got the chance to compete for continental honours after the club went bust just weeks after their title success, as the bubble burst in the Chinese football boom.

But on Sunday night in Singapore, as he prepares to bring his time in club football to a close, having taken on the role of national team coach for the UAE, he has the chance to finally complete the set and add a continental title to his decorated CV.

While it may “only” be the AFC Champions League Two, the second-tier club competition in Asia behind the AFC Champions League Elite, it will still mean the same to a coach that has an insatiable thirst for success.

It has been a season of near misses for Sharjah, who were, until recently, in the running for an unprecedented quadruple. That was when they were still in the hunt for the UAE Pro League title, were in the semifinals of the League Cup, had made the final of the President’s Cup and, of course, the AFC Champions League Two.

But one by one, those titles fell through their grasp. They fell behind Shabab Al-Ahli in the league, with the Dubai-based club ultimately clinching the league title earlier the month.

Shabab Al-Ahli again proved their nemesis in the semifinal of the League Cup, winning 5-3 on aggregate across two legs, while last weekend they let slip a 1-0 lead in the President’s Cup Final to lose 2-1 to, you guessed it, Shabab Al-Ahli.

While the Dubai club has been a thorn in their side for much of the season, Olaroiu and Sharjah exacted some form of revenge in Asia, winning their ACL Two quarterfinal in March in a dramatic penalty shootout, before edging Al-Taawoun in equally dramatic fashion in the semifinal to set up a clash with Singapore’s Lion City Sailors.

With the Saudi side leading 1-0 from the first leg, Sharjah left it late to turn things around in the second leg at home, scoring twice in stoppage-time, in the 94th and 99th minutes, to steal a famous victory.

“This was a special night,” Olaroiu said afterwards with the adrenaline and emotion still coursing through his body.

“I thank the players, the fans, and all the members of the Sharjah club. We deserve to reach this stage.”

Having been confirmed as the next UAE boss, as the nation tries to qualify for its first FIFA World Cup since 1990 — qualification for which, ironically, was sealed in Singapore — a continental title would be a fitting way to bow out, but the announcement of his appointment last month may have proved something of a distraction.

In seven games, across the UAE Pro League and President’s Cup, since his announcement, Sharjah have won just once; a 4-0 win over Ajman. They come into Sunday’s game on the back of four straight defeats, their most recent loss coming at home to Al-Ain earlier this week.

It is far from ideal preparation, but if there is one man that can help turn their fortunes around, it is the veteran Romanian who has proved a master at motivating his players and leading them to success.

Signing off with a continental title would be just reward for someone who has given so much to club football across Asia.


Mahuchikh hopes to show Ukraine’s resilience in Tokyo

Updated 17 May 2025
Follow

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

Updated 17 May 2025
Follow

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

Updated 17 May 2025
Follow

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.