TOURNAMENT FEEDBACK
Read post-tournament reactions from the
Lighthouse Phuket International Cricket Sixes 2005
Feedback from the
Shanghai International Sixes 2005
“It was a real pleasure to participate in the Shanghai Sixes tournament — many thanks to our wonderful Shanghai hosts. We saw some great cricket and made a lot of friends.
“A highlight was to play in the tournament final — OK, even though it was for the Spoon. We knew we could do it, but with the last two critical overs to play (we were bowling and our opponents only needed 10 to win) we were struck with an injury crisis. A fine strike from Graham, of the Shanghai team, towards long on was half way between two fielders, Kevin and Bernie. This was a fine time to find out that both had pulled muscles and were barely able to walk, let alone field.
“Our professional wicket keeper had earlier sustained a cartilage tear and had to while away the day drinking beer in the tent, and another player had gone AWOL. A charitable gesture from our opponents in this gripping final enabled us to substitute our two cripples for a couple of non-registered players.
“With only a few balls remaining we finally succumbed to a fitter and stronger team, but were still the proud winners of the Spoon runners-up position.
“This proud achievement shot our Beijing Sixes Captain to fame. A young fan (see photos) asked Bernie to sign his bat, so that he had the full set of autographs — Omar Henry, Dean Jones, Ian Healy, Derek Underwood and Bernie Garrett. Omar Henry was so impressed that he too asked Bernie to sign his bat.
“Even at the airport on Sunday evening, a couple of cricket fans from South America asked Bernie if he was a famous cricketer (they spotted our shirts) and realizing his cricketing stature insisted on photos and Bernie’s autograph.”
Peter Clarke (IMF Beijing)
Omar Henry asks Bernie to sign his bat
Bernie Garrett and Omar Henry
Read a report on the Shanghai Sixes tournament on the Lamma CC website.
Penned by Lamma’s Sixes skipper Jonno Seifman, the report features the Hong Kong club’s exploits with guest player Ian “Heals” Healy and a couple of interesting photo galleries.
Feedback From Other ACST Tournaments
“On behalf of myself and on behalf of the Asian Cricket Council. I would like to congratulate you and all the members of your team for the great effort you all put in to make this event a great success. Well done and keep up the good work. God willing, I shall try and come next year.”
Iqbal Sikander (Development Officer, Asian Cricket Council)
“I appreciate that Sixes format is crucial to introducing China to the game I love, particularly the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour, organised by Hong Kong local players, Mark Burns and Brad Tarr for club cicketers around the continent.”
Fred Trueman (Former England Test Cricketer)
“Apart from being an introduction to the game of cricket for cultures unfamiliar with it; Sixes cricket acts as an alternative form of the game for anyone, and a form of the game that can be participated in by older players still keen to have a bat and a bowl.”
Trevor Chappell (Former Australian Test Cricketer)
“The teams have a great time on and off the field. The smooth running of these tournaments is a credit to the organisers.”
Tom Hogan (Former Australian Test Cricketer)
“To Cat, Mark, Brad, Kim, Doug and all the Sponsors and folks involved in the ICHOR Invitational Cricket Festival 2004. Kaohsiung Cricket club would like to say a ‘big thank you’ to everyone. We all had a great time on and off the field.”
Andrew Carrick (Kaoshsiung Cricket Club)
“I’d like to say thank you for organizing the special event — Hong Kong 6s. The grounds, facilities, operation and of course your hospitality, friendship of the participants and every things were perfect. We really enjoyed the weekend. And, your passion for the sport really encouraged our volunteer works of cricket.”
Kei Imamura (NPO, Japan Cricket Association)
“We express our deepest appreciation and gratitude for all your love, kindness and hospitality showered on us. We eagerly look forward to meeting you in the very near future. All our club members wish you the very best...”
Manojit Bhuyan (Gauhati Town Cricket Club, Assam, India)
“Many thanks for you all guys... big effort and success of your tournament. No doubt that all credits go to you for your wonderful work with extreme fun, which we had latter of last month on your magic sixes.”
Shantha Nanayakkara (President Colombo Cricket Club, Taipai, Taiwan)
“Well done, you guys did a great job, loads of fun, nice atmosphere.”
Neisha Pratt, Captain, “Six in the City” (Women’s Division Winners, ICHOR Hong Kong Festival 2004)
“I would like to say a massive thank you to you all for organising a fantastic event which was truly appreciated. Taking part in the event it was always mentioned by our team what a brilliant job you all had done in organising this event. As we sipped cool beer or took a dip in the pool or got out for zero runs at all times we appreciated the immense amount of effort it must have taken to arrange an event like this.
Your aim was ‘Fun in the Sun’, well you definitely achieved that and more. For those of us who cricket was not a sport we often played, it will be now. I hope the message got out to people in Thailand and would love to see them take up the sport and be part of events such as this. Taking part in a event to promote the game was an honour and a privilege we will never forget.”
Davinder Heer (Blythswood Beckhams, Phuket 2004)
“Sixes events such as ours serve several positive purposes and most importantly, they are a catalyst for teams from countries where cricket may not normally be played to form and participate in tournaments such as ours. Sixes events also create a focus for international and local cricketers to come together to compete and enjoy our sport and at the same time contribute to the development of cricket. In our view, sixes events serve as a very effective cricket development tool.”
Ian Harling (Secretary, Lamma Cricket Club, Hong Kong)
“Sixes cricket [is] simple, quick, highly enjoyable, entertaining... and can be played by cricketers of various skill levels.”
Scott Brown (President, Shanghai Football Club)
“Well done on a successful tournament. It was great fun.”
Andy Pritchard (Phuket Gazette)
