Another cloud-free sunny day, around 24°C and MCC a little jittery due to their shambolic performance last week when losing to CCB and because the opposition were an unknown in that we had never played them before. There was some encouraging news before the start in that Max, who had bowled us out almost single-handedly last season when he played for the Pak Orient had already resigned as captain of MBCC and was not playing. As it happened MBCC had only 10 registered players at the toss which they duly won and chose to bat. Skipper Weston wanted to ensure everything went right today and asked for the special coin which wasn`t available as he has scorned using it all season. The umpires, Kappadia and Butt, both from Lufthansa, got the game off only 8 minutes late at 12:38 and, throughout the match, were very particular about regular updating of the score board, even going so far as to run from the pitch in the middle of an over and threaten the batting side with a five-point deduction if this was not done – another Munich first.
MCC fielded exceptionally well getting a run out off the second ball of the game and three run outs in the MBCC ininngs. Only 19 wides were bowled in the 25.3 overs needed to get rid of all nine MBCC batsman, with Ferguson taking 2 for 2 in his two overs. MBCC put on 50 after 12.2 overs and 100 after 23.3 overs but despite the usual huge six-hitting from Omar and some powerful play from their captain Ali, who both scored 23, were all out for 104 after 113 minutes.
After a tea with no tea brewed due the rapid collapse of the last four MBCC batsmen, MCC began well with openers Lovell and Weston. Lovell impressed with three of his trade-mark cover drives for four before being given run-out somewhat unfortunately in the third over with the score on 17 leading to a massive fit of chronic Jack Horners. Weston, 46 not out and Sarma, 28 not out took MCC to the winning score of 105 in15.4 overs and only needed 64 minutes.
This led to a very early pilgrimage to the Chinese Tower with predictable results.
Weston, 46*, 2 catches
Lovell, 13, run out
Sarma, 28*’
Van Dalsum, DNB, 1 catch
Wright, DNB
Ferguson, DNB, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 2 runs, 2 wkts
Sear, DNB, 6 overs, 0 mdns, 19 runs, 1 wkt
Rabbani, DNB, 0.3 overs, 0 mdns, 0 runs, 1 wkt
Clare, DNB, 6 ovrs, 0 mdns, 17 runs, 1 wkt
Garner, DNB, 6 overs, 0 mdns, 42 runs, 1 wkt
Blades, DNB, 5 overs, 0 mdns, 19 runs, 0 wkts.
MCC 105 -1 beat MBCC 104 all out by 9 wickets
MCC MOM Weston, for his 46*, 2 catches and losing the toss.
