Shanghai International Cricket Sixes 2006
22nd–24th September 2006, Shanghai Cricket Club, Shanghai
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2006 Sixes Rated “Best Ever”
With the Shanghai International Sixes growing from strength to strength, 2005 was always going to be hard to top. Shanghai teams involved in or winning each of the trophies and a celebrity roster of Ian Healy, Dean Jones, Derek Underwood and Omar Henry, the tournament moved to 16 teams and was played over three days.
The 2006 Sixes was to prove not only its equal, but as Juan Antonio would say, this was the “Best Ever” tournament. With Ian Healy so impressed with his first visit (winning bowler of the tournament must have had something to do with it), he was first to re-sign for this year’s tournament. Joining him was the stellar cast of Chris Lewis , Phil Simmons, Atul Wassan and the irrepressible Max Walker.
By no means in the shadow we were lucky to secure the Scottish Ladies National Cricket team to play against the fellows (note Gentlemen wasn’t used) and a game against the Chinese Ladies team (consisting entirely of Chinese players).
With players from all corners of the globe, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Taiwan, Australia, Thailand and of course Shanghai, the weather was a perfect blend of cloudy to steamy and never threatened to dampen either the pitch or spirits.
The tournament got off to a huge start on Friday morning as the Scottish Ladies, fresh from an early night Thursday, arrived at the ground to find Shanghai Cricket Club President Paul Turner asleep on the pitch in what some described as a bonding session, and others as worrying (the lost keys story didn’t wash with most).
Fresh from a victory against a social team on the Thursday the Ladies quickly put the Shanghai Bashers under the screws and came off with an emphatic 2-run victory.
Setting the tone for some hearty laughter at others misfortune, cricket was played, teams won and lost battles and Messrs Lewis and Simmons treated the crowd to big hitting, quick bowling off two steps and questionable fashion sense.
At day’s end 14 games were complete and the competitors were thinking of the evening ahead. O’Malley’s Bar in downtown was the venue and the official reception for the Scottish Ladies the order of the evening.
With bagpipes, Scottish music, J&B whiskey and a Scottish Band to boot, the evening quickly turned into the Basher Bashing to end all Bashing. A ceremonial cricket bat signed by all the Ladies was presented to the Bashers with the inscription, “Thanks for being bigger girls than us!”
The big screen showed famous Scottish sporting moments, originally intended to take aim at the English, but a few choice words typed onto the Powerpoint left no one guessing WHO won and WHO lost.
Again the Ladies abstained from drinking (well some of them were only 16 years old) and it was up to the lads to show who had what it took, who would fall over and who would lose their keys and have to sleep on the pitch.
With Saturday arriving and another sunny day, the vacant pitch showed most had got home or found company. The days play began with some sore heads and Margueritas.
With the Ladies, Lamma, the Dragons and Pudong being the teams to watch from Friday, The Hot Dogs, Ball Tamperers and the President&rsquos Murava were quickly showing who had what it took to make the cup playoffs.
The highlight of the day was however, the feature match between the Scottish and Chinese Ladies teams.
The Scottish team batting first saw Fiona Urqhuart retire on 32 runs from 16 and Karen Anderson 22 not out as they amassed 82 runs for no loss.
With such a daunting target to chase, it would have been easy for the locals to give up, but although they only managed 28 runs for the loss of 4 wickets, they fought until the end and all ladies got to bat against quality bowlers.
For the Chinese Ladies it was a learning experience that should hold them in good stead and provide a benchmark of how they need to improve to be competitive in the future. All praise must go to the Scottish Ladies, who though dominant in their play, still showed great spirit and always had a smile on their faces. A big thanks must go to Ainsley Mann for organizing this historic occasion.
Back to the Sixes contest and in a most bizarre twist of fate, the group including the Dragons, IMF Beijing and Pudong ended with three teams having two wins. Further inspection showed the Dragons and IMF both equal on wickets taken and runs scored off the bat. With all tie breakers under the rules used up, it was decided to have a 3-ball bowl off to see who would progress.
The pitch was soon surrounded by most of the gathered throng, and each team selected their three bowlers to chance their arm. In the end only one of the six players managed to hit the stumps. Razaq Mahmood of the Dragons ensured their progress into the Cup playoff and IMF relegated to the Plate.
At the end of the round-robin tournament, only two teams were undefeated, the Hot Dogs and Lamma, and two teams yet to post a win, the CBB boys and HKCC Taverners.
With the day’s play finished, all thoughts turned towards the Legends Dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Ice cold Heinekens, J&B Scotch and Baileys greeted the players as they arrived and anticipation for the evening reached fever pitch when Chris Lewis arrived in the most questionable of attire.
Ushered into the Ballroom by our now resident bagpipist (I hope I didn’t just make that word up!) our Celebrities filed into view as guests looked on in amazement as Mr Lewis turned a T-Shirt, thongs and kilt into the attire to be seen in.
President Turner got the evening off to a flyer, updating all on everything Cricket in Shanghai and thanking those who were to be thanked. After a wonderful dinner, we were treated to Scott Brown’s yearly toast and welcomed Mr Walker onto the stage.
Max set the tone for the evening, displaying why he is one of the most sought after dinner speakers, animated and funny, he treated the guests to some observant insights and segued into the introduction of each of the celebrities with a brief interview before getting down to the business of question time.
With such subjects of Umpires’ infallibility, ball tampering, best sledge and best memory of their professional career, Ian, Chris, Atul and Phil were given a long leash and provided the crowd with the most entertaining evening in the history of the International Sixes.
As the hotel staff began looking at their watches, a quick auction raised some more money for our charity and the evening drew to a close around midnight. Some left for home, some for B.A.T.S., and some stayed where they were to finish the generous supply of J&B and Baileys at each table. A fantastic evening was had by all.
With Sunday morning coming all too soon, the semi-finals began a little tardily and the draw giving the winner a late start and the drinkers (or should I say those who didn’t win as many games) the short straw of an early start.
The CBB boys did their utmost to ensure everyone was in the right frame by making a huge bucket of Bloody Mary, with most going for seconds.
By mid-day the finals teams had been decided, with four of the Shanghai teams progressing to finals, and each of those finals between the Shanghai teams.
In the Bowl Final, the Knight Frank Petty Tigers 6 Pack defeated the Baggy Green Boys. In the Spoon Final, Pudong Dulwich defeated the Big Bamboo Bashers. In the Plate Final, the Ball Tamperers defeated the Knight Frank Petty Tigers, and in the Cup Final, the Hot Dogs defended their 2005 title by beating the Shanghai Dragons.
Over the course of the weekend, 20 individual players retired on 31 runs or more, with this occurring 32 times — our Celebrities really showing their class.
Chris Lewis retired four times, Phil Simmons retired three times and Max Walker had the highest score of the tournament with an illegal 40 runs from 19 deliveries.
Bowling, 11 players had two wickets in an over with the best figures by Abbi Aitken of 2 for 3. Denzel Allright won Player of the tournament, Mal Collins won Batsman of the tournament and Evan Golbach won Bowler of the tournament
We also set a new tournament record for most runs and balls in an over. Simon Prendegast managed 18 deliveries and 44 runs conceded in an over. Well Done!
In conclusion, it was another fantastic Shanghai Sixes. We must thank all of our sponsors, supporters, the Shanghai Football Club, our guest Celebrities and of course all of the players who made the tournament the success that it was.
We look forward to everyone returning next year and wish all happiness and health until we meet next.
Mal Collins
Shanghai Club Captain
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please contact Michael (Cat) Maher via the Contact Us page.
