Martin and his wife Puy have been visiting Buak Croc Noi School one day a week since the start of term and have found a new crop of young cricketers wanting to play the game outside of school. On Saturday 14th September the children had the chance to come to Gymkhana to use the nets for the first time. They faced the new bowling machine which uses soft balls and delivers them at a consistent line and length so the children could practise their batting without needing protective equipment.
The children also received one on one coaching as they learnt the basics of batting, bowling and fielding, and CMSCA are lucky to have the support of many of the players from Chiang Mai Lanna Cricket Club including Eddie Joyner who did so much to help the Thailand Women’s team in recent successful competitions.
The new players from Buak Croc Noi will soon be playing in softball tournaments against other schools and the best players will have the chance to play hardball matches in the forthcoming junior league. Other schools from Chiang Mai and Mae On will also have the chance to come to Gymkhana Club over forthcoming weekends as grass roots cricket grows stronger and stronger in Northern Thailand.
All adult cricketers in Chiang Mai should support the development of junior cricket, as these youngsters in the future will take part in the Senior League, play against touring sides and join cricket tours to Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and beyond.
For further information about Gymkhana net practice, supporting junior cricket or playing for Chiang Mai Lanna CC, please contact David Holt (0849330670) or Martin Papworth (0834760582).