Lanna are developing a close relationship this season with Chiang Mai Schools Cricket Alliance (CMSCA) which sees coachs Martin and Puy Papworth and Jun Aryi provide coaching in schools, regular net practice and put on softball and hardball matches. This Sunday’s cricket at Gymkhana perfectly showed off the benefits of this both to Lanna and to the junior cricketers themselves.
The day began bright and early as Puy had gathered together her junior cricketers, boys and girls, from the city and from Mae On, using her new CMSCA Facebook page written in Thai.
The morning was to see Lanna show off their new ladies team for the first time. Girls from Mae On High School who have recently taken up hardball after enjoying Sawasdee cricket at Huai Kaeo and Sahkorn 2 primary schools joined Ting Tang, Pat and Som who had played at Princes Royal College, and several university students who are new to the game.
Last but not least come Puy and Pin Papworth enjoying their freedom from the scorebox and Lek a former tennis player who wants to try her hand at cricket. The girls all took turns at batting and bowling while the junior boys were in the field and Jun acted as umpire and coach.
It was a fantastic morning’s cricket and much more was to follow in the afternoon as Lanna again took on Lanna Thais in a 25-over match as both teams continued their preparations for the forthcoming Chiang Mai Senior League. After two matches the unofficial series stood at 1-1 and another splendid high-scoring match was to take place with the senior team batting first.
Richard Cowles has started the season well and made 42 from 40 balls and Shine hit a quickfire 20 after young Tee had bowled Chris Coombes. Recent recruit Sam Mehta took his chance batting at number four to reach 40 and Jason Bray completed an impressive scorecard by making 30 as the total reached 183 for 7 as Martin combined non-playing captaincy with his umpiring and tried out ten bowlers.
Facing a formidable target Lanna Thais started well thanks to a useful opening stand from Daniel Lawson and Matt Bray who had both done well with the ball earlier and another useful innings from Jun who made 27 from 23 balls. But it was young Min who was going to play the innings of the day.
He has been practising hard at regular junior and senior nets at Gymkhana and hitting the ball hard as well. He had played some good shots but got out early in his previous innings but today was his day as he hit eight fours both hitting straight and punishing the short ball to off and leg and reached a well deserved maiden fifty which will have delighted the watching spectators, players and coaches alike.
He was required to retire on reaching 50 but Chairman Tom continued the chase as he showed he could hit the ball as well despite being 50 years older than Min before he was bowled by Adam Green. Min came back with nine wickets down but number 11 Chat was run out to end the match with Lanna Thai dismissed for 161 as Lanna won by 22 runs.
A perfect day in many ways as boys, girls and men alike all enjoyed playing cricket and all had a chance to shine with bat or ball. Several new members played for the first time and we hope they will come back again soon and Puy, Pin and Lek can be congratulated for doing all the scoring in a chaotic Match Box as they also provided a child minding service. Tom’s tea and Martin’s beers were all part of the service as Chiang Mai Lanna CC seems to be going from strength to strength.