2019. 7's Reports

Thalang International Cricket 7's 2019

Daily Reports

Sunday 21st April

Finals Day Wrap

India’s Cricket Club of Dibrugarh see off the local challenge to lift the Cup

Cricket Club of Dibrugarh lifted the crown as the 2019 Thalang International Cricket 7's Cup winners after defeating locally based side Phuket Misfits by 29 runs to conclude the tournament on another stunning day at the Alan Cooke Ground in Phuket.

The champions from Assam in India deservedly collected the trophy as reward for some fine cricket over three days. Dhiraj Goswami, Bitop Mahanta and Kamakhya Saikia excellence in batting was backed up by Sauman Deb and Surya Deep Das with the ball.

The eighth staging of the 7’s, was organised by the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour (ACST), forming part of the Phuket Cricket Week, established in 2004, which also included the Phuket International Cricket Sixes.

In the Cup semi-finals Dibrugarh knocked out Hong Kong team Lamma CC. Misfits pulled off a tremendous victory against local rivals Patong Penguins as they defended just 55-2 to reach the showpiece in a thrilling finish, in which the bowling Sami Pir and Ali Kahn was to prove decisive.

CBB Postels chased down a firth innings score of 47-4 to beat Discovery Bay Timberwolves to take the Bowl title, following a superb collective bowling and fielding display and another top class performance from Ray Sillifant. The winners had earlier seen off Rowdiez of Qatar in the semi-final. The runners-up defeated ADF Tigers in their last four game despite Daniel Neu’s best efforts for the Malaysian representatives.

The Plate final, played between the two sides who finished ninth and tenth in the closing standings, saw Surfers Paradise Demons defeat Phuket side and Plate holders Village Cricket Team. The Queenslanders chased down their target of 38 for the loss of two wickets as Dean Muldoon starred with the ball before Peter Flanders proved once again to be a reliable opener.

In the earlier group matches Timberwolves found themselves in the Bowl after losing to Lamma, Postels and the Tigers both defeated Village while the Demons defeated CBB.

ACST Chairman, Michael ‘Cat’ Maher reflected on the previous three days while relaxing with the teams after the presentations at the ACG. "We have enjoyed another wonderful Phuket Cricket Week in which we have welcomed new sides as well as old favourites”.

“The ACST is proud of the wide diversity of our participants as we bring cricket fans from around the world together to forge friendships. I'd like to thank all the participants as well as the committees of the ACG and PCG for their valuable assistance. I would also like to thank our valued major sponsors, The Phuket News, The Arinara Bangtao Resort, Sunwing Bangtao Beach, Premier Best Western Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa and Asia Escape Holidays.”

his has been a truly brilliant event to round off another wonderful Phuket Cricket Week. The next ACST event will be the second edition of the Siam International Cricket Sevens at Chiang Mai in November. Full details of the event will be announced shortly.

Saturday 20th April

Day Two Wrap

It’s a Super Saturday at the 7’s for Phuket Misfits

Phuket Misfits had a memorable middle day at the Thalang International Cricket 7’s. The debutant local collective completed wins to end their Round One matches as they defeated Discovery Bay Timberwolves and then Cricket Club of Dibrugarh in the day’s shock result, as Ali Khan’s fine form continued with bat and ball.

The earlier double was backed up as the Misfits took local bragging rights against Patong Penguins to put a spanner in their particular Cup placement hopes, as the ten competing sides finished off Round One before entering into the second round games. Teams will then be classified into Cup, Bowl and Plate divisions to play for honours on Sunday’s Finals Day at the Alan Cooke Ground in Phuket.

Lamma CC also had a day to remember to stay in touch at the top of the standings with fine victories against Village Cricket Team and Rowdiez as Brad Tarr hit his way to a retirement for the Hong Kong side. Lamma can consolidate their position in their pivotal second stage game on Sunday morning against Timberwolves.

The Dibrugarh side from India’s state of Assam bounced back in fine style to inflict another defeat on the Rowdiez to round off a miserable day for the team from Qatar who also had their flag lowered by Patong Penguins.

Pushing for places in the Bowl semi-finals are CBB Postels who collected a win against Malaysia’s ADF Tigers before going down narrowly to Timberwolves in a dramatic finish as they fell just four runs short of their target.

The Penguins inflicted a win against the Village Cricket Team in the other local derby of the day. The Villagers also tasted defeat against Surfers Paradise Demons before the Queenslanders lost in the final game of the day to the Tigers despite Peter Flanders starring once again with the batting of Daniel Neu proving the difference for ADF.

Tournament referee Ian Liddell was one of many to enjoy proceedings. “The 7s format is slightly different to Sixes and it’s always interesting to see the tactics pan out. We have a wonderful group of teams this year who are playing the games in the spirit intended in sweltering conditions.”

Following play at the ACG the teams returned to the Arinara Bangtao Beach Resort; one of three tournament hotels along with Premier Best Western and Sunwing Bangtao Hotels for the Tournament Gala Dinner, to continue making friendships through cricket

Finals Day at the ACG will start at 9:30am on Sunday as the teams look to win honours. Spectators are welcome, admission is free, and refreshments are available.

Friday 19^th April

Day One Wrap

Cricket Club of Dibrugarh lead the charge at the 7’s

Cricket Club of Dibrugarh came out on top after Day One of the 2019 ACST Thalang International Cricket 7’s. The team from Assam in India completed wins against the Timberwolves of Mumbai, the international collective of the CBB Postels and Malaysia’s ADF Tigers. Kamakhya Saikia starred with the bat for Dibrugarh with two retirements, with opening partner Dhiraj Goswami also contributing.

The event, in its eighth year has once again attracted participants from far and wide to the excellently appointed Alan Cooke Ground in Phuket to enjoy a fine festival of cricket to complete the Phuket Cricket Week organised by the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour (ACST).

Each of the ten sides will play four matches plus a further second round game to determine which honours they will compete for on Sunday’s Finals Day. Matches are of the same format of cricket sixes, with games lasting around forty minutes and consisting of five overs a side; while captain’s have the luxury of an extra fielder to manoeuvre.

Hot on the heels of Dibrugarh are Lamma CC of Hong Kong, Phuket Misfits and Qatar side Rowdiez who all came through Day One unbeaten; albeit having played a game less than the leaders.

Lamma saw off Surfers Paradise Demons and then Patong Penguins, thanks to a fine knock from John Wright. The locally based Misfits proved to be too strong for the ADF Tigers and then the CBB’s, as Ali Khan starred. Rowdiez defeated Queensland’s Demons and the third local representatives; Village Cricket Team.

The action took a short break as a minute’s silence was held to remember regular attendee and ACST official Gary Foster who passed away during the night, with the day’s play dedicated to his memory.

Play had earlier got underway with a win for the host side Penguins over Surfers Paradise with the Timberwolves just getting over the line by 3 runs against a valiant Tigers effort who had bowled out their victors in the remaining encounter, with Krish Trivedi’s innings proving decisive.

Participants headed for a barbeque at the Aussie Pub in Kamala on Friday evening as they continued to make friendships through cricket.