A glorious late summer’s day at the Hirschanger, blue skies and 22°C saw a friendly MCC side take on the might of the MICs in a 35 over fixture. The Gore was playing so the contents of the fridge were checked well before the start and three able bodied members dispatched to fetch two crates of cool fresh. Quereshi turned up 5 minutes after the scheduled start with the reasonable excuse that he had overslept which was really more believable than his usual excuses.
Captain Sarma won the toss and decided to bat opening with Algar and Gattinger. A quick fire 12 off 13 balls from Algar ended when he was caught with the score on 14 for two down – Gattinger had had an even more quick fire duck from two balls. Iron gloves Bowes and test match paced Parlour put on 33 for the third wicket before Iron Gloves was out caught for 18. Toke was run out for seven while the scorer’s attention was diverted making a presentation of two bats to the Katholische Diakonische Hilfwerk for use by the refugees in a registration area in Tübingerstrasse. With the score on 61 Qureshi was bowled by Karthik, this time being late on the shot rather than late getting to the ground. In came the Gore, keen as mustard after last week’s thrashing and took part in a partnership of 15 with Parlour. After he went for two captain Sarma came to the crease and the run rate improved significantly but, with the score on 102, Parlour was run out for 40. Arunachalam joined the duck race as did Konchada and we were 106 for nine down. In came Blades raring to go after two weeks getting half a sun tan in Italy – just see Algar’s photograph. He and Sama put on 49 for the 10th wicket leaving us on 155 all out and a least a score that could be defended if we chose.
After teas provided by Sestan MCC opened with bowlers Arunachalam and Sarma who bowled very tightly and after their respective three overs the score was 16 for nought. Blades and Qureshi replaced them and after their respective three overs the score was 43 for one down – MCC had been 46 for two down. Michahelles and Konchada had two overs each, Michahelles getting his regular one wicket by bowling Gezo George. Algar and Sestan now came on and the run rate increased somewhat but then Algar bowled a wicket maiden, a wicket for two over and a maiden. His second wicket brought Stefan of MICs to the crease. He faced 16 balls without scoring plus another five wide balls before he was instructed to retire out. Beforehand he had been given out (sort of) caught by a ball which came off his forearm. MCC were very insistent that the appeal be withdrawn as he was sucking up balls so he stayed until his enforced retirement. Gattinger and Toke bowled the remaining overs to allow MIC to reach 157 for six down allowing more than enough time to sample the cool fresh before the party split into three, one going to Harry’s pit to watch Man U vs Liverpool, Garner heading for Espana to impress an even prettier bird and the remainder heading for the Sitar for a Darren Bakerson. It had been a wonderful day, captain Sarma was very friendly in his batting and bowling orders and the MICs also agreed to have another friendly at the Hirschanger on Saturday 28th September.
Algar, 12, caught, 5 overs, 2 mdns, 18 runs, 2 wkts
Gattinger, 0, caught, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 10 runs, 0 wkts
Bowes, 18, caught
Parlour, 40, run out
Toke, 7, run out, 2.1 overs, 0 mdns, 13 runs, 0 wkts
Qureshi, 6, bowled, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 15 runs, 1 wkt
Sestan, 2, caught, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 24 runs, 0 wkts
Sarma, 42, caught, 3 overs, 1 mdn, 5 runs, 0 wkts
Arunachalam, 0, caught, 3 overs, 0o mdns, 11 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch
Konchada, 0, LBW, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 19 runs, 0 wkts
Blades, 9*, 5 overs, 0 mdns, 25 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch
Michahelles, DNB, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 12 runs, 1 wkt
MCC, 155 for 10 in 34.3overs lost to MIC, 157 for 6 in 31.1 overs by 4 wkts
MCC MOM: Algar (who now moves to the top of the bowling stats)
Next match is Saturday 19th September, the Curry cup against Serendib
