League 2006

Match Details MCC vs LEAGUE MICC 13 MAY (HOME)

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
VD ct 12
LOVELL b 15
PALFREY b 20
ASIM ct 53
SEMBIAN lbw 27
SEAR ct 2
MCINTOSH * 21
ALGAR ro 0
PRAMOD ro 1
MCGREE * 11
GLIG dnb
TOTAL 40 Overs 185 for 9

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
SEAR 8 0 22 2
GLIG 8 1 22 1
PRAMOD 8 3 27 5
MCGREE 7 0 29 0
MCINTOSH 7.1 0 34 2
ALGAR 1 0 9 0

Summary of Match Result

Mcc won opening 2006 league game in a good contest by 37 runs.

Comments on the Match

MCC opened their 2006 league campaign with a good home win versus old rivals Munich International. Lovell hasnt won a toss since 2003 so it was no real surprise when he lost once more to the more experienced rival skipper Nath. Being asked to bat was still something of a surprise despite a few looming weather worries. Lovell and Van Damage opened up like the old days for the MCC in perfect batting conditions. The new ball did a bit early but all the top three including Palfrey got themselves in but failed to go on. Asim and Sembi steadied the ship with some good running between the wickets and took the score to 87-3 at the 20over break. After the interval a possible moment of controversy with Sembi run out (without prior warning) by the bowler in his follow thru. He was thankfully called back in the spirit of the game. Sembi finally perished lbw for 27 prompting the annual MCC pack of cards collapse. Sear skied one and then Asim who had cruised effortlessly to 53, holed out on the fence after blazing one to deep midoff. There then quickly followed two unseemly run outs of Algar and Pramod and the innings was in danger of unravelling. VC Mcgree then joined Jamaica’s Mikey Mcintosh as MCC looked to bat out the overs and regroup. This was done with aplomb with some good batting. Mikey finished on an unbeaten 21 and his partner a very quiet 11 as the home side took tea on 185 off their allocation. It possibly should have been more but beggars cant be…. A quiet opening spell but then the fireworks soon started. Glig took a fine catch off Sear to break the opening partnership at deep third man off a skier. Glig slowly settled into his nagging line and length and broke the other opener’s morale – snaffled into Lovells waterbed at 1st slip. The visitors slowly took a time out to rebuild the innings and moved to 76-2 at the 20over break still very much in the game with wickets in hand. Pramod then turned the game in MCC’s favour with a triple wicket over shortly after the interval. Another skier was grabbed by Glig this time at short fine leg despite a massive call from wk Asim. Lovell then took another nice grab at slip to remove Malik 2nd ball. The classic over was complete with Pramod completely bamboozling the left hander and bowling him behind his legs. Shortly after Asim took a nice wicketkeepers catch standing up to Pramod. At 91-6 the away sides’s innings was in tatters. Inder tried to regroup with some lusty blows to cow corner but found no real support. Good late spells by Sear and Mcintosh, ably supported by the Quiet Man meant that the boundaries completely dried up and it became too much of an ask for MICC. The final blow was delivered by Mikey who completed an elementary caught and bowled by running 40 yards to deep cover to take the catch off his own bowling. The evening was completed with a few celebratory ales in the moonlight of the Chinese Tower.

MCC Man of The Match

PRAMOD 5-27 NEVER STOPPED THINKING

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Match Details MCC vs CCB MAY 20 in English Garden

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
PALFREY ct 43
LOVELL * 49
ASIM ct 0
APPAVU lbw 0
SEAR ct 1
PRAMOD lbw 5
MCINTOSH lbw 0
PARRY ct 26
MCGREE ro 15
SCOTT ct 0
GLIGOROV lbw 0
TOTAL 37.5 Overs 196 for 10

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W

Summary of Match Result

NO RESULT MATCH ABANDONED PERSISTENT PROLONGED P!SSIN POST TEA RAIN

Comments on the Match

After losing the toss MCC were kindly invited to take first use of the pitch in very overcast and muggy conditions. The new ball did a bit early but the opposition seamers were unable to consistently control their line and gave away too many extras. Ultimately sundries were to prove MCC most prolific scorer. Lovell and Palfrey made hay while this prolifigacy lasted and cruised to 90 odd after just 13 overs. When Palfers departed for 43 (hitting a pie to deep square’s throat) the wheels came off the MCC drinks buggy. Asim, Sembian and Dan all soon followed as the opposition got on a bit of a roll. Pramod hung around for a bit before he was sent packing LBW to be very sharply joined by Waldroi Mcintosh in the LBW hatch. At the 20 over interval MCC were 119-6 with work to do. Dr Parry then joined the captain who had by this stage decided to shut up shop and go into Boycott/Tavare mould. At the other end Matt scored freely and departed when well set for a brisque 26. VC Quiet steadied the rocking MCC ship further with a nice 15 before being run out to a direct hit. And then a rather tame to the MCC innings with bowlers Scott and Glig failing to trouble the scorers. MCC had failed to bat out the overs ending up with 196. A strange day at the office with Lovell carrying his bat for 49 only to be outdone by extras on 51. Tea was then taken (courtesy of Mcgree) and then the rain slowly started. The only bright spots were Tony’s water melon and Sembians shades. Come 4.30pm it had become persistent and the game was called off with the opposition innings not started. Pods.

MCC Man of The Match

Lovell

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Match Details MCC vs CCB SATURDAY JUNE 4 in English Garden

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
PALFREY B 45
LOVELL B 0
SEMBIAN CT 17
MIKEY B 2
ANGUS LBW 12
MITCHAM CT 5
PRAMOD LBW 6
BLADES LBW 0
DUNNE B 1
SOBEK NO 2
GLIGOROV CT 0
TOTAL 34ish Overs 115 for 10

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
GLIGOROV 8 0 34 2
BLADES 8 2 9 2
MIKEY 8 3 16 1
PRAMOD 7 2 15 3
SEMBIAN 4 0 13 0
PALFREY 2 0 8 0
DUNNE 0.3 0 0 1

Summary of Match Result

Mcc won a thrilla in the hirschanga by 15 runs.

Comments on the Match

Lovell worm rooter own goal. 0 Palfrey swing. I feel a disturbance in the wood, young skywalker. Appavu top edge fence. McIntosh unfortunate boot deflection. Furlonger that’s plumb, boss. Mitcham gloveio poppovic, walkage. Acharya that really was plumb, boss. Blades golly gosh that’s plumb as well, boss. Dunne peach. Sobek cover drive, apparently. Stats. Glig caught behind. CCB sent the MCC Fringe in to bat on Saturday. A couple of hours later, when we were all out for 115, it was looking like a pretty good decision. Mark Palfrey saved the innings with yet another impressive knock before an impolite swinging delivery rearranged his furniture without asking when he was on 45. Talented Sembian scored a sneaky 17 and holed out in the deep before anyone realised he had arrived at the crease. Palfrey’s only other support came in the form of league debutant Angus Furlonger: an excellent English fellow with a penchant for cans. The finger has not been kind to Lamby this year, and it was thus that he departed, following a somewhat harsh decision from the umpire and after having worked the ball skilfully for 12. The regular readership probably won’t be all too surprised to hear that, after being 98-4 from the first 20 overs, we then collapsed. Like a big collapsing thing. CCB bowled reasonably well (the anticipated shower of wides was not forthcoming) and they were no doubt pleased to have restricted us to a total that could only be described as small. Plop. Then we all had a sandwich. A least I think everyone had one. Mine was with cheese and cucumber. It was magnificent. Having kicked on for an early blob, Captain of Positive Thinking Mark Lovell had spent most of his afternoon pottering around the boundary rope listing to New Order on my headphones. It was now left to him to rally the troops in a way that only he can. It was a quiet MCC dressing room and the skipper offered some optimistic and encouraging words, urging the bowlers to minimise wides and for a young fielding team, lacking in star performers, to ‘show some character’ in ushering the shop steward in early against a batting side with more potential to fold than a Pennymarkt ironing board. Tony Blades is back, sports fans. Though tactfully left unspoken at half time, it was clear to all concerned that early carnage was the only thing that could get MCC back into the game. This was dually provided in the form of two undeniable LBW’s from Blades and a textbook destumpification by the clinical Jason Gligarov that ripped the dangerous CCB top order apart. Tony finished with figures of 2-9 from his 8 overs in a display of tightness not experienced since [sentence truncated for legal reasons]. An obvious stumping would have furnished Bladesy with a third, were it not for the diminutive, betracksuitpanted chap at square leg who seemed at a loss as to why he was being screamed at by two fired-up Queenslanders. Pramod, Mikey and Sembian all bowled tightly to keep the pressure on, and a couple more wickets saw the visitors reeling at 40-5 after their first 20 overs. CCB regrouped after the break however, and grafted their way slowly but surely towards the meagre total. Wickets from a composed and relentless Pramod and an unplayable yorker from Mikey kept the MCC in front, despite a couple of loose deliveries and dropped catches which added pressure and lined up a tense finish. Knowing that 10 wickets were the only remedy for the MCC batting disaster, Lovelli was forced to risk the introduction of new bowlers late in proceedings. Mark Palfrey showed his experience with a miserly two over spell at the death, a performance rivalled only by his batting and his teas. Still no wicket though. Just as the tension had reached breaking point, Brendan Dunne got hold of the red for the first time. With the opposition 8 down and only a handful of runs to get, big Clive’s first ball resulted in a mix-up during which both batsmen decided it might be fun to run in the same direction. Call me old fashioned, but this tactic is almost never advisable in a pressure situation. Luke Sobek was left with absolutely no alternative but to hurl the pill at the non-strikers end from his position at deep mid off, a distance of at least 400 metres. He made no mistake, and the CCB’s top scorer was on his way back to the dugout. Two balls later and a Dunne slower ball caught the leading edge and disappeared into the low lying cloud cover: to height of at least 400 metres. Sir Garfy Sobek sauntered his way over to the scene, steadied himself under the swirling projectile and, about two or three minutes later, topped off a flawless day in the field by swallowing a superb, match-winning catch. ‘Ave it. A cracking result on a day when the MCC proved its spirit, depth and character. A day on which league hopes were kept alive through hard work, concentration and coolness under pressure. A day on which I had a very tasty sandwich, and Dunny proved that he could “close it”. A day that saw Sobers head butt Brendan without really meaning to (or so he says) in the post-match celebration. All this topped of by a night that no one can remember. Brilliant. Stay tuned cricket freaks, 2006 is just getting started.

MCC Man of The Match

Palfrey could possibly deserve it after scoring 40pc of a paltry ohne palfrey mcc is facked boss total so we will give to Bunty Blades who’s back in a guest starring role as the 2006 Fletcher Christian. Great bowling when we needed it most.

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Match Details MCC vs SSC SAT MAY 27 in Eng Garden

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
NO ONE HAD THE CHANCE BAT TO
DUE TO P!SSPOOR FACT IN
VERY POOR METEOROLIGICAL PODS
OVERHEAD MOIST
INCLEMENT FRANKLY AND
UNPLEASANT THE FOR
TIME OF YEAR
CONDITIONS RSP
MATCH ABANDONED DESPITE PODS
WINNING TOSS FACK RAVI
NICE TEAS SCOTT FROM
TOTAL PODS Overs NIX for NADA

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
GLIGOROV 7 0 20 3
SCOTT 6 0 23 0
GALE 5 0 22 0
PRAMOD 8 1 23 1
BLADES 6 0 31 2
MCINTOSH 8 1 20 2

Summary of Match Result

Match abandoned. Moist. Pods. RSP.

Comments on the Match

Deja vu my friends. Just a week on from the CCB p1ssdown washout at the Hirschanger the fates provided similar fare against SSC Sri Lankans – only this time MCC had the opportunity to have a twirl of the arm. Lovell won the toss and perhaps swayed by the particularly w@nk 4cast decided to have a pop at the SSC top order with the new ball. MCC bowled well in spells but with way too many leg side wides, especially from the new ball bowlers. Despite spraying it around a tad Glig ripped the guts out of the top order with 3 sticks. Mikey and Pramod bowled miserly before Blades on his comeback league game kept things sewn up at the death. SSC finishing with 140 off their allocation of 40overs. A good fielding performance was capped by Bob Mitcham behind the stumps who snaffled 3 catches and a swift stumpage. Quality keeping indeed. Zone. Tea then followed and the MCC openers Lovell and VD even had the temerity to get padded up for the afray. However their party was shat on from a mediocre height as the rain steadily increased in tempo. Even reknowned rainmongers Waldroi and Scott had to admit defeat and indeed that in the end it was probably wise to call the whole thing off and do it again at a theatre of cricket sometime soon. Match abandoned.RSP. PODS.

MCC Man of The Match

Glig, gimp, tatts, arc. best ever league returnage. much improvage. well bowling despite not being able to see through his excessive melbournian locks. wheres the gyppo gillespie pat rafter headband?

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Match Details MCC vs MICC CUP SAT JUNE 17

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
VD lbw allege 26
LOVELL played on 9
PALFREY top edge 33
ASIM cow 4
SEMBIAN cow 8
MIKEY ct fence 38
BOB MITCHAM lbw 5
BLADES fly slip 5
PRAMOD * 7
SCOTT flail 8
GLIG unlucky 3
TOTAL 39.3 Overs 161 for 10

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
Scott 8 2 27 4
Glig 8 1 33 0
Pramod 8 2 18 2
Blades 3 0 16 0
Palfrey 1 0 3 0
Mikey 5 0 25 0
Asim 6.1 0 37 3

Summary of Match Result

MCC LOST CUP OPENER BY FOUR RUNS

Comments on the Match

MCC lost a tempestuous round robin cup match v MIC by a paltry four runs on Saturday. In scorching hot conditions Lovell surprisingly lost the toss and MCC were invited to have a graze in the field. Scott took a wkt in his first over with Bob Mitcham taking a neat catch to remove the opener for a blob. The other opener blazed away in manic fashion for about 20mins before deciding he had enough for the moment and wanted to go off for a lie down in the shade. This duly occured but not until the usual pointless bickering and gesturing. It was about this time that the captain knew he it was going to be a cunt of a day. There then followed a period of MCC domination with Scott running thru the top order on his way to four wkts in a fine display of Geordiesque fast bowling. Glig also bowled steadily until being undone on a 7 ball over. MCC bowled no wides in the first twenty overs – a bit of a turnaround from previous affairs. MCC contained the visitors to 70-4 at the break. Waleed was dropped soon after the break off Blades which was probably the turning point in the game. Thereafter he blazed away to 75 well made runs supported by the now fit and well opener. Pramod removed the cowboy caught by Lovell at slip and was miserly with 2-18 off his 8 overs. Asim chipped in with 3 late wickets as MIC were bowled out for 165 in the 40th over. Another couple of catches for wk Mitcham in a tidy display – although he does have to work on appealing and communication skills when the gumshield is in place. A spicy curry tea courtesy Pramoder and then VD and Lovell strode to the wkt. Storm clouds began to gather especially with the legside trap set and with a minimum of 2 balls per over flying way down leg side the ‘neutral’ umpire decided flagrantly applying the wide rule so vigorously enforced so far this season. Nonetheless MCC batted on unmoved and reached 35 for no loss when the rain came. A 20minute break ensued and the game was turned on its head when VD was adjudged lbw from around the wicket with the ball slanting down leg. Not nice. He did a nice impersonation of Chris Broad on his way back to the hatch. Lovell soon followed playing on (again). Asim holed out to deep cow as MCC continued to falter but were well up with the run rate. At the 20over break Sembian was there with the Palfreyman with MCC 81-3 and well in it. The usual collapse after the break of course with Palfrey top edging and Sembian holing out to deep cow. Bob and Mikey settled things down and managed to regroup before Bob was adjudged lbw. Mikey then decided to chance his arm as MCC slipped behind the run rate. It was Collis King at his best. Walders made 38 before being juggled successfully on the fence. Blades hit a four before finding fly slip. Scott hit a few lusty blows before he was bowled after one too many haymakers. This left Pramod and Glig as the last wkt partnership with 13 to win and about 3 overs to go. They both nudged well to bring it down to just 4 to win. Glig then smashed one unfortunately straight to deep mid off. Another yard either side and the game was ours. It wasnt meant to be. This leaves MCC to play Pak Orient in a must win game to stay in the cup. Thanks to Matt for scoring.

MCC Man of The Match

PAUL SCOTT FOUND HIS LINE DESPITE ONLY ONE JUMPER

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Match Details MCC vs

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
TOTAL Overs for

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W

Summary of Match Result

Comments on the Match

MCC Man of The Match

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Match Details MCC vs PAK ORIENT CC 9 JULY HASBEENBURGLED

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
VD ro 17
LOVELL ct 11
SEMBIAN ro 11
ASIM ct 0
WALDROI ct 0
MCGREE ct 4
PRAMOD b 3
BLADES no 7
MITCHAM b 2
PRYKE b 2
SCOTT ct 0
TOTAL 26.3 Overs 89 for 10

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
SCOTT 7 2 24 1
MCGREE 8 0 30 4
PRAMOD 1 0 19 0
WALDROI 2.4 1 9 1

Summary of Match Result

MCC LOST A LOW SCORING MATCH MATCH BY FOUR WKTS.

Comments on the Match

Thinking that a score of over 200 was the benchmark Lovell won a toss and decided to bat in sultry Lahore conditions. Mcc got off to a bright start with VD and Lovell coping with the variable bounce adding 30odd before MCC run machine VD was sadly run out. At 48-1 off 7 overs Lovell had regrouped with Sembian at the other end before the skipper was adjudged caught at short cover much to his surprise. A hat trick by Mr Butt then ensued of all too bizarre proportions with Asim and Mikey both spooning catches. Sembian was then run out. Mcgree spooned another one to Mansoor at cover who by this time could hardly contain his glee. Pramod was bowled by a worm burner. Bob and Sutcliffe were castled farming before Scott completed the golden trio to round off a fantastic batting display. Mcc all out for 89 in 26.3overs with BBBlades unbeaten on seven. There was nothing much to play for but pride after the curry, poppadoms and singh lager at half time. Scott and Mcgree both bowled brilliantly and reduced the league champions to 50-5 before some lusty late blows by the lower order sealed the game and eventually a 4 wkt defeat for the MCC. Pods.

MCC Man of The Match

Mcgree. Quiet man. Sav.

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Match Details MCC vs SSC JULY 29 IN ENGLISH GARDEN

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
SEMBIAN B 7
LOVELL * 65
MORGAN B 36
PRAMOD ST 2
MIKEY CT 9
SEAR * 25
BLADES DNB
SALING DNB
GLIGOROV DNB
PARRY DNB
VD DNB
TOTAL 31 Overs 161 for 4

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
GLIGOROV 8 2 29 1
SEAR 8 1 48 0
BLADES 8 1 23 2
PRAMOD 8 0 33 2
MIKEY 8 0 21 1

Summary of Match Result

MCC WON CONVINCINGLY BY 6 WKTS WITH STACKS OF OVERS TO SPARE.

Comments on the Match

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a cricket captain in possession of a good team, must be in want of a 12th man. Was Mikey going to turn up? Would van Damage be allowed to play? Where was Cpt Morgan? More importantly, where were the teas? With these questions obviously playing on his mind, Lovell went out for the coin toss and promptly lost. So under leaden skies and sporadic drizzle, the MCC took to the field against Serendip. It would be unfair to single out any bowler as all bowled superbly with a ball which rapidly turned into a bar of soap. They were tight—as tight as the butt cheeks of a jailed man with dysentery. The average bowling figures would be something like 8-1-30-1. Unfortunately, the bowlers were not ably supported. Although there were 3 run outs and the Serendip batsmen were scared witless by the bullet arm of Saling, 7 catches went down. The ex-treasurer had tears in his eyes when he thought of the fines that would have been levied in previous years. Lovell played like a goalkeeper at first slip and put two over the bar; the crocodile returned after a year’s hibernation; and a number of swirlers went to ground in the deep. Still, apart from a late flurry, Serendip were well contained and made a mere 158-7 off their allotment. It has to be said that the MCC reply was a model of professionalism and proficiency. Under bright sunshine, they found plenty of gaps for singles and dispatched the bad balls to the fence. The two Captains were particularly productive: Lovell’s timing was majestic—one prod went for six over cover—and he was 65*, while Morgan rode his luck and his new bat to a quickfire 36. It then just took Dan the Man a handful of balls to hit 26* and the game was all over in the 32nd over. So to the 12th man drama. Saling was down for the dubious honour/honor. Mikey showed. Morgan was made to sit out 12 overs for his late arrival. Parry injured his hand. Wayno decided it would be pointless to bat since he would be triggered immediately under orders from he-who-must-not-be-named. In the end it was decreed by the umpire, after the equivalent of a G8 summit, that Dunne was the least likely to cry and so he was 12th man.

MCC Man of The Match

LOVELL 65*.

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Match Details MCC vs CUP POCC AWAY AUGUST 5

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
VD CT 124
LOVELL CT 25
SEMBI LBW 7
MCINTOSH * 18
SEAR B 6
DUNNE RO 5
PARRY * 1
BLADES DNB
GLIGOROV DNB
SALING DNB
SCOTT DNB
TOTAL 40 Overs 231 for 5

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
SCOTT 6 0 43 1
GLIGOROV 8 0 46 2
BLADES 7 0 45 3
MCINTOSH 7.3 0 22 4
SEAR 6 1 26 0

Summary of Match Result

MCC WON BY 43 RUNS

Comments on the Match

POCC vs MCC It should have p1ssed down all day according to several well regarded weather forecasting services. They all agreed on the same moist forecast (for a change) so it was quite a pleasant surprise that the ultimate cup round robin match was completed with only one brief rain interlude around the first drinks break. And what a good job it was completed, for the MCC actually managed to win a game at the Hexen Kessel that is POCC’s home ground in Hasenbergl. Surrounded by high rise flats, graffitied schools and nasty little youths starting fires, MCC played out quite a dramatic win that saw the full range of emotions on display, so much so in fact that the game itself almost didn’t happen. A controversial umpiring decision, i.e. to ask the umpire in question to umpire an MCC game in the first place, didn’t go down too well with a few of the MCC hardcore and sparks were already flying at 1145am. We’ll leave this incident for another report, however. It probably deserves one of its very own, accessible to a select audience only though I daresay. Despite the argy bargy and despite having his neutrality being called into question, it must be said that the umpire could not be faulted for his performance during either innings. With a scheduled start of 1200, the home team were struggling for numbers and the toss therefore awarded to the MCC by default. Now usually POCC win the toss and bat first. Usually they score 250 odd and then skittle us out for between 80 and 140. Usually we all go home in a bad mood. Usually wasn’t on the agenda today – the MCC would bat first. And so it was that 9 of us relaxed on the sidelines for the next 2 1/2 hours as Lovell and Van Dalsum tore apart the POCC’s bowling. That’s a lie actually. Van Dalsum tore apart the bowling. Lovell was attempting to grow a moustache or something. After 9 overs we were 55 without loss, after 20 we were still without loss and we’d passed the 100 mark. Lovell, dreaming of Chris Tavare throughout, managed approximately 20 of this total. Somewhat uncharacteristic in truth. Van Dalsum accounted for 70 odd and wides the remainder. Our banned Kiwi was in a rich vein of form, fully filling his boots after the wicket keeper spilled him early doors. By the time he had departed, he’d scored a magnificent 124 having carted all comers to various corners of the ground with ferocious regularity, forcing several stoppages in play as the dejected POCC team scurried about searching for the ball. It was a pleasing sight. A great innings, one that we’d all been waiting for, one we all knew was due, and one which was needed today more than any other. It should be noted that “Tonight, Matthew, I am going to be Chris Tavare” had progressed onto 25 by this point. With a platform to build on that we had so sorely missed in previous encounters with these opponents, all that remained was for the rest to chip in and deliver a respectable and defendable total. Eventually, following a cameo from Mcintosh (21*) and brief knocks from Appavu, Parry, Dunne and Sear, the MCC closed their 40 overs on 231. For all the Tavare jibes he received on the sidelines, without the captain’s knock it could have been a different story. It was a sterling effort from the captain, keeping the pressure on the POCC bowlers and allowing Van Dalsum to blaze away as they struggled to find a way through. Don’t ever let batting à la Tavare be underestimated. For a change, the bowlers had something to defend. Scott opened the bowling with Gligorov and before you knew it the POCC were on 40 odd after 4 overs. Scott can be considered unlucky having the opener dropped early on. Gligorov’s answer was yet to come – he was relieved by Blades early on having gone for more than a few on the postage stamp ground that is Hasenbergl – we’ve all been tonked around there. Scott continued and served up some beauties, beating the bat on numerous occasions. Any runs that were scored off Scott were generally streaky cuts and edges. He was bowling well when out of the blue he decided to even things up on the wide front and proceeded to bowl a longish over, being called for 5 wides. Blades meanwhile struck first as the opposition captain having hit a few lusty blows in the first few overs then skied one to leg gully which captain Lovell did well to get under and hold on to running around from 1st slip. The breakthrough was needed – POCC has been scoring at a worryingly rapid rate. Scott obviously determined not to repeat his 2 for 1 effort the over before, struck in the next over with one that kept low. Bowl straight on this pitch and she’ll help you. With the home team now down 2 wickets and with a slightly weakened batting line up to come, the MCC sensed victory. The captain then proceeded to mix up the bowling, sensing that it was the slower stuff off which our opponents were giving most chances. He was right too. Gligorov returned and took two wickets and gave away as many runs in his last 6 overs as he had done in his first two, Blades got another and the POCC were reeling. There was some resistance from their middle order, but Mcintosh took care of them finishing them off with a fine spell of 4 for 22. Sear was unlucky having three dropped chances and a good lbw shout turned down, but it didn’t matter. The MCC bowlers did what so often the POCC do to us – skittled them out as they chased. Commendable performance in the field by Sailing and Parry, the former whom was in his last match for the club before suffering the unfortunate fate of having to go home. Been a pleasure knowing you and playing with you Ryan. Perhaps we’ll organise a big fuck off MCC tour to Michigan and that buddy of yours could get us a game staged at the little stadium you know? You’ll be long remembered at this club – Des’s stats will see to that even if the rest of us have forgotten you this time next year. Kidding man, kidding. Who’d have thunk it? Bring on the semi.

MCC Man of The Match

VD. TOUGH DECISION THOUGH.

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Match Details MCC vs LUFTHANSA 13 AUG LEAGUE AWAY

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
WAYNE NO 15
SEMBI NO 19
BLADES DNB
GLIGOROV DNB
MIKEY DNB
PARRY DNB
PALFREY DNB
ANGUS DNB
PRYKE DNB
LOVELL DNB
MCGREE DNB
TOTAL 6 Overs 41 for 0

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
GLIGOROV 8 2 18 4
MIKEY 8 2 17 3
MCGREE 0.3 0 2 1

Summary of Match Result

MCC WON BY 10 WKTS TO CLINCH LEAGUE TITLE

Comments on the Match

MCC vs Luftwaffe After driving half way across the Bavarian hills to finally reach the bloody ground near the Flugplatz, the championship clincher was to be played on a pitch seemingly sewn together with coconut skins. Superb. The surroundings were completed by a massive inyerface cornfield shadowing the entire length of one side of the pitch. It was also enhanced by a baseball pitch complete with dug out style metal fence cages, which proved to be the away dressing room. Was the “Field of Dreams” type movie setting and the fact that we were behind cages like charged up chimps/tigers going to have an impact on the day’s game? You betcha! Step forward our very own Kevin Costner – Jason Gligorov – and take a bow son. Jason was amongst it nice and early as he bowled the opener who played like a fairy. This was backed up by the fact that his name was Shirley. Now if his face was literally a couple of inches the other way, then our Kevin could have ended up somewhere near the cornfields as Dushantha absolutely müllered one straight back at Jason who held on to an absolute brute of a catch. Oscar number two for Kevin. Mikey Mac wasn’t to be outshone at the other end and bowled magnificently well with good pace and control. The MCC superstars had the Luftwaffe reeling as Angus held onto a catch at gully off Mikey`s bowling at the second attempt. The danger batsman “Milan” was quickly sent back to the shed as Palfrey held onto a superb diving catch at point to give a pumped up Glig Oscar number 3. The Luftwaffe slowly resembled a Bomber Harris hit squadron as they were plummeting to a crash landing with no chance to eject. Mikey bowled another one of their boys with a decent delivery which was too quick, too straight and simply just too damn good for their batsman to play. The MCC really did think they were in Hollywood as we looked on in disbelief as one of their lads was seen dancing down the track a la Fred Astaire with his team on 30 odd for 5. Oscar number four for our Kevin was just around the conrner as Fred was promptly clean bowled. Mikey grabbed another clean bowled wicket and Paul Mac grabbed his first and also the last wicket of the game with another clean bowled wicket. It turned out that the Lufftwaffe only had 9 players so perhaps credit to Bomber Harris who might have cherry picked off a couple of them as they were making their way to report to the ground. So an excellent bowling performance from the Kevin, Mikey and Paul Mac put the MCC firmly in control of the match as we had to chase a sizzling 41 to win. Sembi and Wayne were charged with getting the team off to a good start. Both played some lovely shots and we sensed the championship was in the bag, when at 30 without loss, Tony was given the “green” light by the skipper to rack a filthy one up on the boundary. Sembi and Wayne saw the boys home just in time as the rain, which had been forcasted, slowly arrived and emptied it down for the rest of the day. Well done lads to everyone and lets make sure we go and win the cup. MCC – god gave us soul and rock and roll.

MCC Man of The Match

GLIGOROV

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Match Details MCC vs WIESBADEN GERMAN Q/F IN FRANFURT SEP 10

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
PALFREY B 0
SEMBI CT 4
HOOLIGAN B 33
MCGREE CT 27
MIKEY CT 0
ANGUS CT 11
LOVELL * 3
BLADES * 4
GLIGOROV DNB
SCOTT DNB
PRYKE DNB
TOTAL 32.1 Overs 137 for 6

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
SCOTT 6 2 20 2
GLIGOROV 2 0 23 0
PALFREY 8 2 25 3
MCGREE 6.5 2 21 5
MIKEY 6 1 27 0
PRYKE 3 1 11 0
BLADES 1 0 5 0

Summary of Match Result

MCC WIN BY 4 WKTS TO REACH SEMIS.

Comments on the Match

Match Report – Wiesbaden Now before I get this match report under way let me be totally clear about one thing. This was a very serious German Cup quarter final match against Wiesbaden (champions of Hessen no less) and as such all participants were fully focused on the game. Naturally in bed at a ridiculously early hour in order to get a proper nights rest before the big game. As everyone was obviously in a deep sleep dreaming of cup glory absolutely none of the following could have occurred. For example • No one frequented an Irish bar and took onboard local and imported beverages served in pint form. • No one made any inappropriate/lewd comments about, or tried to socialise with any female karaoke participants in the aforementioned bar that no one went to. • No one took the p1ss out of the 7 foot tall girl with clown size feet. • No one decided to go to a strip bar in order to judge the quality of the Frankfurt entertainment/nightlife. • No one was seen inserting dollar bills and other currency into the underwear or between the breasts of said entertainment. • No one went ‘out of curiosity’ to an Eros centre and struggled to escape after being cornered by a rather top heavy lady of the night. • No one returned to the hostel at 4:30am and proceeded to keep the shrubbery (which had inexplicably found its way into the room) in check by carrying out some controlled burning. • No one returned from the Eros centre particularly late in the evening boasting the proud figures of ‘2 for 35’. • No one almost made both captains late for the game by deciding to spend the early hours of Sunday morning exercising in a video kabine. Like I said this trip to Frankfurt was all about the cricket and for the first time ever an MCC tour passed without incident. Onto the game itself. As is the norm, our skipper Lovell did his usual stand up job at the toss of calling tails when the coin clearly had at least two heads on it. A well rested MCC team were therefore sent to graze in the field for what promised to be a very long 50 overs. The nice dry outfield and bouncy Astroturf pitch (they were obviously far too classy an outfit for a coconut mat or flix pitch) promised a hatful of runs. The previous nights excessive sleep clearly showed early doors as Scott and Glig went for 37 off the first 5 and Captain Morgan hobbled off the pitch with hamstring troubles (whether it was due to poor fitness levels or the slight of being named 12th man is up for debate). At this point Houlahan arrived and he seemed to inspire the troops as Scott bowled two wicket maidens on the bounce to remove both openers in a fine spell of hostile bowling and Palfrey (on as first change) got in on the action to get the third wicket of the day. Mikey Waldroi took a great catch to further turn the tide. An under par start had been set to rights and confidence was clearly increasing. A tiring Scott was replaced by McGree who opened up with a wicket maiden leaving Wiesbaden in the uncomfortable position of 70-4 at the first drinks break. Second drinks break was scheduled for 34 overs and unfortunately for Wiesbaden they didn’t make it that far as except for a couple of batsmen who dug in, many seemed to forget that the game was 50 overs and decided to go too big too early. Good bowling from all of the MCC bowlers led to a regular fall of wickets but it was McGree 5-21 and Palfrey who ended with 3-25 who took the spoils. Wiesbaden were dismissed for what seemed a paltry 136 and MCC had put in a fine effort in the field with only a couple of moments of comedy when the wicketkeeper and slip cordon decided to impersonate a pinball machine. Whilst tucking in to our bread and curry rumours spread of the demon Scottish fast bowler who was about to confront our batsman. People looked concerned when after just two balls Palfrey had his stumps uprooted and trudged off saying that “I was lucky to have survived the first ball” and “it’s swinging a long way”. Houlahan went in and looked assured in defence (when not facing Bruce) and also played some nice shots. At the other end Sembi looked a little out of sorts and soon departed trying to cart ‘’a fella with a dubious action’’ over long on just after having complained about his bowling action. He was right though and there was a lot of chucking taking place which when acted upon by the umpire didn’t go down too well with the opposition. Meantime Houlahan (33 off 100) had been joined by McGree (27 off 73) in the key partnership of the day, going was a little slow but totally necessary as Bruce was doing far too much with the ball to get the edge. Just ask Mikey about that one as just after Houlahan was bowled he departed to an alleged air shot capably snaffled by the keeper. No matter how long he stood rooted to the crease the umpire just wouldn’t change his mind and suddenly things were looking a little shaky at 93-4. Big Gus came in and hit the shot of the day rifling the bowler straight down the ground to the delight of the crowd. Lovell saw off Bruce’s final fling and by the time MOM ‘Paul here’ McGree had departed we were just shy of victory at 129-6. Blades came in and hit the winning boundary (almost making his trip worthwhile) and the guys celebrated by jumping back in the cars and driving 4 hours home. It was a great 4 wicket win which booked our place in the last four and earned us a trip to Hamburg for the semis against the reigning champions. Man of the match was as clear as day as McGree stood out with both bat and ball, a fine performance.

MCC Man of The Match

PAUL HERE MCGREE

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Match Details MCC vs GERMAN CLUB SEMI V HSV IN HAMBURG

MCC Performers

Batsman
;
MCGREE CT 24
LOVELL CT 0
MIKEY CT 66
SEMBI RO 5
PALFREY B 35
HOULAHAN CT 22
SEAR B 29
ANGUS RO 6
PRYKE B 0
SCOTT NO 3
GLIGOROV NO 8
TOTAL 50 Overs 234 for 9

MCC Bowler
Bowler O M R W
SCOTT 2.5 0 25 0
PRYKE 5 0 28 0
MIKEY 7 1 31 1
MCGREE 5 1 34 0
SEAR 5 0 37 0
GLIG 6 0 42 1
TODD 2 0 25 0

Summary of Match Result

MCC LOST BY 8 WKTS

Comments on the Match

Arriving at Mümmelsmannsberg by taxi early Sunday morning reminded me somewhat distinctively of Hamburg’s version of Hasenbergl. A short stroll through the local farm paddocks lead us onto the playing field, a large playing surface, cut relatively well, with a newly laid astro type turf to match. Player ID’s were swapped and accounted for, and we were ready for a 10.45 kabine toss. HSV called correctly and asked MCC to make first use of the pads. Lovell and McGree took first rights; Lovell fell disappointingly early doors playing his favourite cover drive, and went to a good diving catch. McGree and Mikey put on 81 in quick time, McGree batting with cautious authority while Mikey taking the long handle at any given opportunity. Shades of Collis King. McGree fell for 24 and Sembi was run out allegedly for 5 meaning the Palfreyman joined Mikey. Palfrey looked to take his time, building his picket fence, while Mikey continued his good run. He finally fell for a top-notch 66, however, we all felt a 100 beckoned – he was seeing it that well at the end. Palfrey in combo with the Hooligan started to find the fence, one stunning flick off his legs for 6, an exquisite highlight. Houzza increased the tempo with some flashing square cuts before falling ct behind for 22 in the same fashion as the Quiet Man and Waldroi. Dan Sear BDM (29) then joined Palfers and it was at this point of the innings where boundaries were coming at will. Sear decided running was nothing short of pointless, and agriculture was more the way forward. Palfrey eventually fell for a well compiled 35. The middle order had built a useful platform and ensured we batted the full 50 overs. And then after some minor hiccups down to the last over of the MCC innings, Glig was – to be fair – slightly pinged during his spell in the middle but with one ball to go he defiantly and nonchalantly ignored his wounds to put his foot down the track and walloped the opening bowler into the wide pastures over the rope for 6. MCC: 234/9 off 50. A lunchtime curry did the job for the masses, settling the stomachs just nicely, many thanks to HSV. The HSV innings started with a hiss and roar, the MCC were introduced from ball one to one Mr Zaheer Malik. One could easily be forgiven for thinking he didn’t actually have an opening partner – the opening partnership worth 128, with the “other bloke” making a very scratchy 14. Malik quickly took Scott out of the attack, Mikey and Pryke did then “steady” the situation to a certain degree. However, Malik was obviously giving us somewhat of a false dawn, as he then simply played an incredible innings of timing, placement and power. Most of his shots were pure cricketing shots, the odd mishit and a rare tonk. He took Sear, McGree and Palfrey in particular to the cricketing sword. Glig finally trapped Malik LBW for 137 off no more than about 70 balls – a good catch by Houzza on the boundary rope off Mikey. At this stage the chase was a mere walk in the park, the damage had already been done. While Malik was batting he had a Mr N.N. Kahn for company, Kahn then took up what Malik had started, taking a liking to Glig and Houzza, 4’s and 6’s were a dime a dozen, and as the scorer it was getting ridiculously hard to keep up. MCC were finally put out of their misery in the 34th over, when Scott was planted for 2 sixes over deep long on. HSV: 238/2 off 33.5 overs. The MCC lads left the field knowing is just wasn’t meant to be, not our day. Full credit to Zaheer Malik, stole the show, and can be justifiably named the MOM. Yours in match scoring. Kiwi

MCC Man of The Match

MIKEY NIGHT TRAIN MCINTOSH

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