Junior cricket in Indonesia Photo © ICC

The annual Bali 6s tournament this year was again a wonderful success with all eight teams enjoying good competitive cricket, the fine weather once again, great sportsmanship and, this year, the developed facilities at the Bukit Ground of the Udayana University in South Bali. Eight teams entered, from Indonesia and Australia, with the all-Indonesian team playing once again, as its new club, Jimbaran of Bali.

Once again it was great to have three regular competitors participating; Sumbawa a long regular, Rebels from Jakarta, and Topenders from Darwin who always make the effort to spend a week in Bali at Easter time. It was great to have the Indorama team compete once again, and we welcomed newcomer Surabaya. These together with the three Bali teams of Jimbaran, the Bali Geckos and the hosts Bali made up the eight teams.

The weather was once again very kind allowing continuous play on all three days. Rain did appear threatening on Saturday but it managed to avoid the ground. The Bukit Ground of the Udayana University had been well prepared and the turf pitch allowed good cricket by all. Congratulations to the curators, Ray and Mick, once again for the fine preparation of the pitch, which this year with the extension of the playing area provided a north-south disposition more suitable for good cricket. The ground facilities have been upgraded with the provision of an extended playing area right to the boundary by demolition of the former running track. A 5-tier seating area some 20m long has also been added, also a scorers' deck on top of the ground irrigation pumping station and, at last, new toilet facilities. The ICC has assisted this development by providing some funding assistance, the remaining funds being appropriated by the INI RADEF Foundation.

Junior cricket in Indonesia Photo © ICC

The spirit of competition was excellent but some teams did take a little while to get to their full capability. With eight sides and three days of competition there was opportunity for additional games to resolve the better performers. Bali showed good form early; as did the Indonesian team, Jimbaran but the Topenders did struggle a little until Saturday when they showed their better form. Likewise the Geckos and the Jakarta Rebels took some time to find their form, however Indorama showed constant good form throughout the tournament.

Some initial games were played on the final day to resolve the top four for the Cup and the lower four for the Plate finals. All finals were close and excellent games. The Topenders managed to push out the home team Bali and Indorama defeated the Jimbaran team after two closely fought matches. For the Plate Final we had an excellent and exciting game between Bali Geckos and the Jakarta Rebels. It certainly was exciting with the Geckos getting closer and closer to the Rebels' score then requiring a 6 off the last ball to win, which was finely hit over the square leg boundary to the tumultuous joy of the locals. For the Cup final we had a great game with the Topenders being controlled well in their scoring by tight bowling from Indorama who were set 55 to win. Again the bowling was tight and runs could not come easily. An excellent match with good cricket with Indorama making the total on the third last ball. Well done Indorama and Topenders for such great cricket.

Congratulations to all for such fine competition and the fine spirit in which all games were played and, in particular, the encouragement and applause so well given to the Indonesian cricketers who have developed so well with this competition and encouragement from all. Thanks to all for making this tournament such a great and enjoyable success once again.

© ICC 2002