Cricket in Phuket

[TV Channel 11]

Some of you may never have seen this sport in Thailand or Phuket before. It’s called cricket, and it’s not an insect you can eat. It’s a very popular sport in some countries.

Richard Brown, Secretary of the Phuket Cricket Union (PCU), a new cricket club organization to promote cricket on Phuket, told Andaman News that a Phuket cricket league has now been established, "the Island Furniture Cricket League", and they invite anyone to come play or just watch.
They had their first practice match last Sunday at the British Curriculum International School (BCIS) sports field, between a BCIS teachers’ team and a Rest of Phuket side, with the 11-a-side match being limited to 35 overs a side, until the rain came down heavily to stop play so the match was abandoned and declared a draw.
Richard explained some of the rules as it went along:
“It’s limited to 35 overs bowled. The side batting first got 171 in 35 overs, so we now have to get more than that; each bowler is allowed a maximum of 7 overs. An over is 6 balls from one end, then once over, they bowl the other end.”

There is another friendly match this Sunday (today). The league proper, currently consisting of four teams, including teams from Kamala and Patong, will begin this month. It will be a round-robin series, and they envisage having the final in March. They invite more people, Thai and foreign, to come play in the matches & teams. Teams from Phang Nga or Krabi, are also welcome to come over and play against the Phuket Cricket Union who would be represented by members of their affiliated local clubs.

Anyone above 16 years old can play. In between, they hope to have clinics for children to learn the game, with support from the Cricket Association of Thailand, who will help provide the necessary equipment like helmets, and pads etc.. BCIS also plan to teach cricket in their sports curriculum and the PCU would love to help other schools to try too!

Following a successful tournament this year, the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour are also planning another Phuket Invitational International Cricket Sixes for 6 a side teams, on 13-16 April 2006 at Karon stadium, with 24 teams from England, Hong Kong, Australia, Pakistan and other sides in Asia and Thailand including the 4 teams from Phuket. More teams can join the tournament. Richard invites any expats or Thais to join in:
“We’d love to entertain as many sides as we can when we get the league up and running, encourage Asian people to join us. Find out what cricket is all about. We have a development officer to promote at youth level, Roddy here. Hello! We particularly want to do that in the Thai community. Aim to get cricket out to the community. So if anyone interested please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.”
So it can be fun if you understand how to play and as long the rain doesn’t stop play!

For more information, contact Richard Brown at Tel: 01-7193414 or by Email to richardwkbrown@hotmail.com or check CricketSixes

Mini-video & photos on http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=149381
From Special report for Andaman News TV11 Phuket, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket & Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket, 8.30am Friday 4 November 2005 & www.Thaisnews.com