IF the Shanghai Cricket Club can organise a cricket tour in North Korea, then I thought the least I could do as an umpire and cultural ambassador of this great sport would be to tell you all about my innings in Thailand.

As you all know, Thailand has a large number of expats, many of whom hail from cricket playing nations, but there is also an emerging interest in the game within the Thai community, especially in schools. The Cricket Association of Thailand [CAT], is the governing body and there are Men, Women and junior sides that compete at an international level.

Considering the location of the majority of the expats in Thailand, expat games are mainly centred round Chiang Mai, Bangkok and, of course, Phuket.

When I came to Phuket to work for development company ?The Village? just over two years ago, I hadn?t played cricket since I left school ? a very, very long time ago.

At that time the Phuket Cricket Union?s [PCU] league comprised of just four teams, but shortly after I arrived ?The Village? decided that with a name like ours, we ought to have a team too. So, comprised of the Brits involved in the enterprise and any ?players? that could be gathered up from other companies, institutions, clubs and bars, The Village team was created.

As a member of The Village staff, I was expected to take part and prior to the start of that season, along with other press-ganged members of the squad, I trained every Thursday night. When the day of our first match arrived, I was selected to open the batting against an Indian side.

Not wanting to let my team mates down, I gripped the bat as tightly as I could and watched as the bowler began his run up? but then something happened and the next thing I remember and saw was that fateful first thunderous ball whiz past my woolly defensive stance and demolish the wicket.

It was then that it was suggested, tactfully, that, as there was a need for more umpires in Phuket, perhaps I should change roles. I was informed that CAT sponsors a training course for would be umpires and scorers in Bangkok.

So off I went to Bangkok on an all expenses paid course.

There were almost 20 of us ?hopefuls?, mostly expat men, but there were some Thai men and women too. The instructors - First Class Umpires from England, New Zealand and India - delivered the four day course, which comprised of lectures and practical classroom exercises. It was followed by a written exam, a verbal test and a practical field exam for umpires with additional work for would be scorers.

The course was as interesting as it was tough but I passed as a Grade 1 Umpire.

Back in Phuket, I was soon on ?duty?, initially undertaking the responsibilities at ?square leg?, but Ken, a seasoned umpire, soon had me fulfilling the ?bowlers end? duties too.

Needless to say I asked him to leave the field. But, this did remind me of an incident Dickie Bird recounts in his autobiography. He was umpiring a Trent Bridge Test match between England and New Zealand when Allan Lamb came out to bat at number four after England had lost two quick wickets. Allan headed towards Dickie who admonished him saying ?The stumps are over there, this is the square leg!?

Lamb asked Dickie to look after his mobile phone and if it rang to answer it. The indignant umpire responded, ?You must be joking.? But Allan pleaded ?Please just put it in your pocket, and let?s hope it doesn?t ring.? Reluctantly, Dickie agreed.

However, sure enough ten minutes later without much ?action? having taken place, the phone rang. ?Lamby, t?phone?s ringing.? cried Dickie. To which Allan responded ?Well answer it ? I?m expecting a message.? Of course, it was a set up and when Dickie answered the call, ?This is Dickie Bird on Allan Lamb?s phone. Who?s there?? The response was ?This is Ian Botham in the dressing room. Tell that fellow Lamb either to play a few shots, or get out!?

Cricket in Phuket is great fun, most matches are played on Sundays in the season ? and there are plenty of opportunities to join a team, or indeed, start a new one equally if you find yourself struggling at the crease, or puffed out after bowling 2 overs ? while still wanting to be part of the game ? can I suggest you contact the PCU about becoming an umpire. Dickie Bird believes a good umpire must have five qualities: honesty, concentration, application, dedication and the calm confidence to inspire and retain the respect of the players. I would add another quality pertinent to cricket in Phuket a good sense of humour! If you can meet this criteria, come and join us. Howzat sound?

For more details contact the PCU on www.phuketcricket.com or Bernie direct on Bernie@thevillage-cocnutisland.com