As the weather is improving, so is the turnout for cricket. We currently have the use of the 'Naadam Stadium' - the national stadium no less - where the Mongolian 'manly sports' take place each year in July.

So far a total of 16 people have turned out for Saturday afternoon limited over, generally six -a-side with everybody fielding, but bowlers only from the non-batting side.

It gets exciting when the fifth wicket is down because the last man has to run twice in order to finish up at the end he received the ball. He can be put out at either end while he's running, so it makes for adventurous batting. On the last ball of the over, of course, he need only run once, to be at the right end to receive the bowling. If he doesn't run, then the next over starts with him at the same end as the bowler. He has to run, but can only be put out by the delivery itself - no stumping. You'd be surprised how many otherwise pretty fair bowlers lose length and direction when there is no batsman to aim at!

The 16 players includes seven Indians, including the Indian Ambassador, two Pakistanis, three 'Poms' and four Australians including two former Poms, and one Old Etonian Mongolian!

We hope to get some more Brits and Kiwis and at least two more Mongolians for the annual Mobil Cup match which has become effectively the Subcontinent versus The Rest. We are aiming at 24 June or 1 July.

The Mongolian Cricket Club has received boosts from three sources this year: