Occidentals CC who are a collection of veteran cricketers from all over North America and the Caribbean (with a South African and Australian thrown in) who all enjoy the touring life chose to end their tour of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand with a match in Chiang Mai against Lanna CC. Players and spectators alike said that they had enjoyed Lanna’s hospitality greatly and Royal Chiang Mai proved a scenic backdrop for a match won by Occidentals by seven wickets but almost the full batting line-up got a chance to bat thanks to regular retirements.
Lanna won the toss and batted first and had started well before Pramesh took two wickets in an over including the unfortunate Nick Janes out first ball on his return to Chiang Mai. Occidentals had plenty of experience on the field and showed that a combination of slow medium pace and expert spin was ideal for the track at Royals.
Richie George top scored with 23 and Walter Persaud did his best to see the innings out with a patient 20 but Lanna were restricted to a total of 127 all out in 29 overs as Prem Singh impressed with his left-arm spin and Giri finished things off with the last three wickets in an over.
The Occidental innings burst into life thanks to Sean Akai as he hit four fours in an over to make 33 in 21 balls before he was called in but his innings had ensured the rest of the batters could push the singles and progress serenely towards victory as Roy Singh made 21 and Rick Ali 18. There were no fewer than four retirements and there was a fraction of concern when Hugh Williams claimed the third wicket of the innings and then bowled a maiden over but Ron Schugg and Giri saw the Occidentals home to victory with two overs to spare.
There followed an enjoyable presentation and a display of amazing generosity from the Occidental Cricketers tour party as they left a large amount of cricket kit for the junior cricketers of Chiang Mai and Lamphun. Nung and Krit had both played in the match and were both given tour caps and tour shirts.
Within a two-week period the Occidentals had been to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Bangkok and Chiang Mai and they had enjoyed the tourist sights as well as the cricket fields but they all agreed that they had enjoyed their day with Lanna CC at Royals as a great way to end their tour.