Phuket International
Cricket Sixes 2009

Congrats on a helluva fine event.

I have travelled to many sixes and other cricket events over the past 15 years and it is testimonial to your hard work that not in a million years could I have guessed that the Phuket Sixes was only in it’s 2nd year. Given the disastrous geographical and political events leading up to the event, it is even more mind blowing how you managed to keep everything under control. These are just some of the reasons for truly believing “a star is born!”

It is only a matter of time before you, as tournament directors, will have the unenviable task of having to turn teams away as you will have reached capacity. There are a number of reasons for this:

1. Phuket as an Island has an offering that caters for nearly every whim; from beachgoers to party animals to scuba divers to family orientated moments and so the list goes on. Transfers are smooth, hotel staff bend over backwards to accommodate you, Thai food taste sensations at every turn, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg!!
2. The tournament itself was a dream. It starts with the best tournament shirts at any event I have ever been to and climaxes with a smooth, professional Awards Dinner at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom with more sumptuous dishes than my waistline cares to remember!! It really is pleasant strolling all of 50 (yes fifty!!) metres from the hotel to the ground — Thai mornings can be a little stressful! Commentary during the matches adds to the emphasis the tournament places on FRIENDSHIP and getting to know the various personalities. Maybe we can turn the music down a touch for the spoon division?!?!
3. The 20/20 match played under lights — something few, if any, other events can boast. The lights were fantastic and I believe this event can become a real highlight of any sixes trip to Thailand!! The spin off of the from this is that the organisers now know they are in a position to offer evening matches to sides; or to play into the evening in the event of rain!! You find me another event that offers that!! ( I may be jumping the gun here, but imagine a sixes event that started around midday and ended at 9 or 10 pm?!?! Man!!!!!!!)

Whilst we are on about rain, I must mention my utter disbelief at the incredible dogged determination of the organisers and in particular Brad Tarr for getting through two of the days’ play after a night’s deluge and then run-off water flooding the ground. I like to think I’ve seen some waterlogged fields in my time and I gave us no chance of playing. Good thing the bookies weren’t open — I would have lost my pants. Sopping, mopping, you name it... and at 10h45 we had kick off!!! Unbelievable.

All the best
Kenny