The new scorebook was looking forward to its first T20 cup match against CC Bavaria knowing that if we won the path through to the final meant all matches would be at home in the Hirschanger. Early morning rain had made us a little nervous about being able to get a full game in, so nervous that the majority of those selected didn’t think it necessary to arrive on time and prepare the ground for the match. Not so Phil Bowes, who, although not selected, was there at 12 noon when the gates opened and helped to prepare before and clear away after the game.
Captain Weston used Maria Theresa to lose the toss and be asked to bat and we opened with him and Nielsen. They went at a furious pace, Weston in particular until he fell having scored 30 from 17 balls in the 5th over with the score on 40. Next to go was vice captain Sarma, holidaying at the Hirschanger after his exploits with the Alpine Tigers, and, a few balls later Nielsen, then Ishtiak and we were 57 for 4 in the 6th over. Arunachalam and the hung-over Konchada put on a very useful 36 for the fifth wicket, Konchada going for 13 in the 14th over. Clare decided to run threes rather than hit boundaries and was next to go with the score on 99, followed shortly after by Arunachalam. Big Bird Garner was hovering over the pitch fresh from his Zuoz adventure and saw Qureshi run out before Gaikwad tangoed to the wicket to put on a partnership of 21 with our feathered friend for the ninth. Blades and Garner saw out the final over leaving MCC on a defendable 141 for nine after 20 overs.
After sampling the massive teas including two boxes of delicious cocktail tomatoes provided by Qureshi – no pickled onions though – Arunachalam and Clare opened the bowling against CCB’s captain and president. They bowled very tightly and after six overs CCB were 25 for 0 as opposed to MCC’s 48 for 3. Arunachalam got their captain in the next over and in the seventh Konchada got their president with a wicket maiden. CCB were now 31 for 2 down after 8 overs and most telling, not a single boundary scored. Thereafter no-one apart from Giri reached double figures and our bowlers, including Blades who hates T20 because the bowlers always get tonked, had a field day, CCB being left on 62 for 9 after 20 overs.
The game finished before 4pm just before the heavens opened leaving plenty of time for Helmut’s cool fresh followed by a move to Harrit’s pit to see the end of the 5th ODI between England and New Zealand and, finally, to the Sitar for a spicy Ruby.
Weston, 30, bowled, 1 catch
Nielsen, 10, bowled, 1 catch
Sarma, 4, bowled, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 8 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch
Ishtiak, 4, caught,
Arunachalam, 23, bowled, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 17 runs, 1 wkt
Konchada, 13, caught, 4 overs, 1 mdn, 10 runs, 2 wkts, 1 catch
Clare, 7, bowled, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 14 runs, 0 wkts
Garner, 25*, 1 catch
Qureshi, 1, run out, 3 overs, 1 mdn, 2 runs, 2 wkts
Gaikwad, 6, bowled
Blades, 1*, 4 overs, 1 mdn, 11 runs, 3 wkts.
MCC, 141 for 9, beat CC Bavaria, 62 for 9 by 79 runs.
MCC MOM: difficult, with so many excellent performances to choose from, but given to Blades.
