An entertaining and enjoyable friendly between Lanna and CMCC was the closest match of the season so far as Lanna fell only 18 runs short of CMCC’s total of 181 for 8 in a 25-over match. Only 26 runs were needed from the last four overs but the loss of Gary Chatfield for 66 bowled by Asif was the turning point as two new batsmen were unable to deal with some impressive fast bowling.
CMCC batted first and owed much to Wani’s innings of 80 as they recovered from a slow start and Samran also hit some lusty blows at the end of the innings to post a useful total. Bank helped Lanna make a flying start with his 24 and Chris Teague made a steady 32 but it was Gary Chatfield who proved to be Lanna’s danger man as he reached 66.
It wasn’t quite enough as CMCC’s bowlers kept their nerve and Chanchai and Lou Gleeson were able to score only seven runs in the last four overs as Lanna finished on 163 for 4 but it was a close contest and left both sides looking forward to their league encounter later in the season.