During lunch at the Lyeuem the rain increased and it was a miserable start to the second match of the tournament against Basel who won the toss and put MCC in to bat. Scoring was difficult and the first wicket, Weston, fell for 8 with the total on 10 in the fourth over. Caspari joined Embleton at the crease and they put on 34 for the second wicket when Caspari went for 9 in the tenth over. Turner came and went having been run out for 0 after facing only two balls to be replaced by Clare who played very aggressively and upped the run rate, putting on 19 for the fourth wicket before Embleton went for 25 in the 13th over and then 46 with Fudge for the fifth wicket before being caught for 49 in the 18th over off the bowling of ex-club-captain Jai Singh who took 3 wickets for Basel. Fudge went for 22, LBW to Singh in the 19th over leaving Algar and Goldsack to take the total 133 in the 20 overs.
Conditions had now deteriorated to such an extent that is was agreed to postpone the Basel innings until the Sunday morning when the weather was forecasted to be better, no rain and sunny intervals. A bedraggled MCC went back to the Convict to shower, change into warm clothing and then go to the pizza parlour for an enjoyable dinner. Most then returned to the Convict to watch a cricket DVD but a couple of us went to the Dorta which was very full, a lot of fun and thus we had a late night returning to the Convict around 2 am
The Basel innings began at 9 am on Sunday with the weather just as forecasted so it was an advantage to bat then. MCC got off to a good start though and had them three down for only 18 in the 4th over. However John Gallon, now a twenty year old, who used to play for Hampshire colts when Pieterson and Warne were there put on 79 for the fourth wicket before Niel went, LBW to Hobbs for 44 in the 16th over. MCC battled gamely but Basel were able to reach their target after 19.2 overs with 6 wickets down, Gallon being 40 not out.
Weston 8, bowled,
Embleton 25, LBW
Caspari 9, bowled
Turner 0, run out, 1 stumping
Clare, 49, caught, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 0 wkts, 18 runs
Fudge 22, LBW, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 0 wkts, 25 runs
Algar 9*,
Goldsack 2*, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 0 wkts, 18 runs
Blades DNB, 3.2 overs, 0 mdns, 2 wkts, 15 runs
Garner DNB, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 0 wkts, 32 runs, 1 catch
Hobbs DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 0 wkts, 25 runs
MCC 133 for six, lost to Basel 134 for 6 by 4 wickets.
MCC MOM Clare
