THAILAND U19 GIRLS FINISH THIRD IN QUADRANGULAR SERIES IN CHINA

The next generation of cricket talent in Thailand have just learnt some valuable lessons by taking part in the U19 Belt and Road Series that was just held in the Shaxi Town Cricket Centre in Taican in China. The Thai girls played a double round-robin series against China, Hong Kong, China and Nepal and they finished third behind Nepal who were by far the best team in the tournament, with China finishing second.

Thailand’s two victories came against Hong Kong, China with the Thai girls winning an eight-over contest by nine wickets after restricting Hong Kong, China to 36 for 3 but their second victory was even more emphatic as the Thailand dismissed the opposition for just 26 in 14.5 overs as Kewapin Saecho returned outstanding figures of 3.5-2-2-5 and Phonphimon Khongoee claimed 2 for 4 in her 4 overs. Thailand made 27 for 0 in 4 overs to win by 10 wickets.

Thailand found Nepal who won the competition much more difficult opposition as the Thais were bowled out for 35 to lose the first match by seven wickets and then after restricting Nepal to 100 for 5 in 20 overs Thailand were bowled out for 48 to lose the second match by 52 runs.

Thailand’s first contest against China was probably their most disappointing result of the tournament as they were convincingly beaten by a side which Thailand have a superior recent record against at junior and senior level. China made 102 for 5 in 20 overs then bowled out Thailand for just 55 in 12.4 overs to win by a convincing margin of 47 runs.

Thailand were denied a chance to gain revenge against China when their last match of the competition was washed out without a ball bowled. Thailand finished in third place after winning two matches, losing three, and it was a familiar story of the girls finding run-scoring extremely difficult. Thailand were much stronger in the field than with the bat, so that will be the key to their future success: to score enough runs to support a very effective bowling attack.