Almost 500 runs were scored in the day as players from both Lanna teams put on a batting masterclass at the David Buck Oval at Prem. Martin Cardno finally passed the century mark in Chiang Mai as a reward for his many visits from Sam Roi Yod as he scored 122 from 91 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes. Jon Scales also hit out strongly as he made 50 from 37 balls, but Lanna’s innings rather fell away at the end as Lanna Thais’ kept their heads in the field. Elliot Lodge claimed two run outs a catch and a wicket but Leng’s figures of 7 overs, 1 wicket for 28 were an outstanding effort.
A total of 243 for 6 in 35 overs was an impressive one but Lanna had not quite batted Lanna Thais out of the game. Noey picked up two wickets in an impressive opening spell and Richard Young was forced to retire hurt after hitting the ball into his forehead. The Thais were a precarious 28 for 2 after nine overs but Richard Cowles and Elliot Lodge were now together at the crease.
There was a rain interruption after 15 overs when Lanna were still well ahead on the Duckworth Lewis comparison but Cowles, released from the pressures of work and revived by a good night’s sleep, began to time the ball sweetly and Lodge gave him reliable support. The pair produced a remarkable unbroken partnership of 216 as Cowles produced the best innings of his career in Chiang Mai cricket.
Cowles made 136* friom 94 balls with 18 fours and a six, while Lodge was the fourth man to pass fifty in the match as he scored 66* form 50 balls and it was appropriate that Cowles hit the ball out of the ground to seal a remarkable victory as Lanna Thais won by eight wickets.
This day has conclusively proved that Lanna as a club has an exceedingly strong batting line up, and it was fitting that two New Zealand run machines scored centuries on the same day.