Former international stars Trevor Chappell of Australia, England's Alan Mullally and Adam Hollioake and India's Pranob Roy will be taking the field this year.

"To have 28 competing teams, including 24 from overseas, in only the third year of the tournament is absolutely wonderful," said tournament director Brad Tarr.

The 28 teams hail from 11 countries and include defending tournament champions the Corner Tigers from Pakistan. Many of the teams playing in Phuket played in last week's 19th Chiang Mai International Sixes.

Former Indian Test opening batsman and Indian selector Roy, a first-class player with Bengal, opened the batting for India with legend Sunil Gavaskar and played in two Tests. Roy's father Pankaj and his cousin Ambar also played for India.

Pankaj Roy holds one of the longest-standing batting records in international cricket - a 413-run partnership shared with Vinoo Mankad during the 1955-56 series against New Zealand.

"We're looking forward to a wonderful week of cricket action this week," said event director Poonpun "Nui" Jangrugsa, of the Green Man Pub team. "To have 24 cricket teams flying into Phuket for the tournament is awesome."

Major sponsors of the tournament include Lighthouse International, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Phuket International Hospital.

A 20-over charity match will be played under floodlights at Karon Stadium on Saturday from 6pm, and will feature all the tournament's top players. Proceeds from the match will go towards the event's local charity Childwatch.

Entrance to the ground is free and food and drinks will be available.

For further information check out www.phuketsixes.com. 

Alan Parkhouse

The Nation

Phuket