Thai cricket expands beyond Chiang Mai Sixes
Tony Munro - 19 February 1999

While cricket in Thailand is mainly known for the Chiang Mai Sixes competition, the longer form of the game is gradually establishing a firm base.

The Thailand Cricket League runs a 10-team competition in a season which runs from November to April. Although the vast majority of players are expatriate Australians, Britons, Indians, Sri Lankans and especially Bangladeshis, there are a handful of Thais playing, some reputed to be of high standard. These though, have nearly all learnt the game while schooling in Australia or the United Kingdom. About 200 seniors and nearly 60 juniors are competing in 50 and 25 over matches.

The Royal Bangkok Sports Club has the TCL's only two turf wickets, although Chaing Mai also has a turf wicket, but distance precludes it being used for TCL competition matches.

The present season has been interrupted by weather and the small matter of the Asian and FESPIC Games which have both hindered ground availability. There are 10 teams competing in the TCL and some of these are: Royal Bangkok Sports Club (1), Royal Bangkok Sports Club (2), Young Thai Sikhs, Southerners, The British Club, Indian Cricket Club, TISC, ABAC. Southerners has been one of the form teams so far this season, with the appropriately named middle-order batsman and first change bowler, Rayner Blitz, one of their key players. The next edition will hopefully include more detailed information on the present TCL season.