Margate CC return for the their fifth tilt at the CM Sixes tournament.
After failing to win a game in their first tournament, the small club from Southern Tasmania shocked the cricketing world by winning the Bromley Shield in 2017. Displaying Steven Bradbury like prowess to get to the final, everything just went right on the big day and many celebrations ensued at our home away from home - "My Place Lounge".
2018 and 2019 provided mixed results with a few wins and some heavy losses to the power teams of the competition. 2019 saw us win our 3 pool games and progress to the "big boys club" (the Cup) for the first time where our run was halted by the powerhouse NCL teams from Bangladesh.
This year sees two tour Virgins added to the team in "Blakey" and "Benny" (sounding a bit like the flowerpot men!). With both of them standing well over 190cm, we will be hoping that their long levers when batting and extra bounce when bowling can add another dimension to our team. They will be ably supported by 4th tour veteran "Ringo" who is still basking in his man of the finals performance in 2017 but is still yet to land an IPL contract as a result (or any form of contract to pay him to play cricket!). Club and 5th tour veterans "Fossil" and "BJ" round out the local Margate squad and will be hoping that the other guys can carry them - both on the field and home if they have had too much to drink.
There are also rumours that our secret off field weapon, "Gravedigger" may make a return - this man knows nothing about cricket but certainly knows about drinking and knows how to spin a great yarn. Fah will also be along to support her partner, Graeme, and keep him in line if he gets too heavily into a slammer session.
Joining us this year are Chiang Mai veterans Naveed and Insha. Naveed was player of the tournament in 2016 and has represented Thailand at International level. Insha is another top player with mountains of experience and knowledge of the tournament. Rounding out the squad as a mid-tournament replacement for our captain BJ, who has to leave early due to work commitments, is Damian "Damo" Westwood from England. Damo has had a long and successful career from playing County Cricket in his early 20s to recently being selected in the England team for the over 40s World Cup.
It has been far too long between tournaments, and we all look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones this year.