Chiang Mai v Bangkok @ AIT 07/01/2011 ( SEMI-FINAL )
CHIANG MAI REACH FIVE STAR PERFECTION ..Bangkok 5 (Five) All out.
Sometimes in cricket there are one-sided matches, but very rarely do you witness total annihilation and the record books rewritten. Chiang Mai’s semi-final against Bangkok looked to be very similar to the previous group matches; a rapidly improving technical cricket side with an average age of less than sixteen, up against much older, bigger, talented softball players, who’ve been converted to cricket. Bangkok won the toss and put the opposition into bat. The bowling style suited the Chiang Mai openers, with the ball coming quickly onto the bat. Nikom Mayer and Seegame soon began to dominate the bowling attack with some disciplined batting. As the innings wore on the pair played some classic shots and Bangkok heads dropped. The openers soon reached their 50 partnership and by the 12th over reached 100 without loss. By this time Seegame (36 runs) was beginning to tire in the capital’s heat and only 7 runs were added in the next two overs. A further two wickets were lost in an attempt to pile on the extra runs, with Nikom being run out on the last ball. A whisker away from carrying his bat, Nikom who is only 14 years old, impressed many onlookers with a fine display accumulating 43 runs with style. Chiang Mai finished on 110-3, a good total which should have been much more.
In reply, Bangkok experienced a bowling performance they will never forget. Although many softball converts to cricket have technical inadequacies, nothing could have prepared Bangkok for the pace and accuracy of the Chiang Mai bowlers. The result speaks for itself. Bangkok were all out for 5 (five) in 5 overs. The opening bowlers Jun and Yon took the spoils. Jun’s second over saw him produce a hat-trick, finishing with figures of 4 wickets for 2 runs. His bowling partner Yon took an incredible 6 wickets for 3 runs. All the batsmen were out bowled, apart from the last wicket who was stumped wandering out of his crease. Chiang Mai won by 105 runs. This victory sees Chiang Mai progress to the final where they will meet Supanburi once more, who they defeated in the first group match. A dangerous team, Supanburi have caused a huge shock by beating Phuket and Khon Kaen on route to the final, both considered good cricketing sides, by hitting the ball to all corners of the ground (mostly cow corner). An intriguing final awaits with Supanburi bullish in their confidence and Chiang Mai ready for anything after their record breaking day. |
