Making a first appearance this season, splendidly elegant in his whites Seb O`Connor, one half of the South Coast Mafia graced the Hirschanger yesterday arriving only 15 minutes after he should have but then, what do you do with Godfathers? Turning up late was the usual problem and the usual culprits, three of whom have been given a last warning and one who turned up after the game had started didn`t get to play at all. The ex-treasurer and South Coast Mafia had a good game taking 2 for 5 in two overs including 2 wides, the wickets coming off consecutive balls so just missing the hat-trick. After the match was over and after the teas provided by Barrett, the ex-treasurer absconded without paying his match fee and apparently had recruited Otmannkhil and Govendar into his mob for they too left without paying. Will this be the heart of a new MCC Breakaways team?
Anyway, captain Kantor lost the toss and MCC were asked to field in a bat 12 field 11 20 over friendly, and opened with Cross and Barrett. With his third ball Cross got a wicket, coolly held by the captain, setting the standard for the innings with seven catches being taken and not a single one dropped. This shows what coming to Friday nets can do for you. After four overs Govendar and the Mafia came on, Govendar getting his wicket with his second ball and the Mafia his two in his second over leaving the Breakways 31 for 4 down after 8 overs. The carnage continued when Mahmud Khan and Bowes bowled the next four overs aided by some top class catching by Barrett and Cross and after 12 overs they were 56 for 9 down. The captain tried his arm but only got one wicket leaving it up to Toke to take their 11th from his 3rd ball and they were all out for 62 in just 13.3 overs
A quick turnaround and MCC opened with Imtiaz Ahmed and Waqas Khan, two of the late arrivals. Imtiaz faced six balls and was bowled for 2 bringing Toke to the crease. He returned to the pavilion in the 7th over having scored 8 as did the duck race candidate captain Kantor who seemed to have got a bummer of a decision but, after 7 overs, MCC were 33 for 3. In came Bowes to force the pace scoring four runs from his first 20 balls and finishing not out 7 from 26 balls. The runs to victory were scored by Waqas who finished on 30 not out.
Imtiaz Ahmed, 2, bowled
Waqas Khan, 30*
Toke, 8, bowled, 0.3 overs, 2 runs, 1 wkt,
*Kantor, 0, LBW, 1 over, 0 mdns, 4 runs, 1 wkt, 2 catches
Bowes, 7*, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 18 runs, 3 wkts
O`Connor, DNB, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 5 runs, 2 wkts, 1 catch
Mahmud Khan, DNB, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 7 runs, 2 wkts
Barrett, DNB, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 13 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch
Cross, DNB, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 6 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch
+Ottmankhil, DNB
Bhalerao, DNB, 2 catches
Govendar, DNB, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 7 runs, 1 wkt
MCC, 63 -3 in 12.4 overs, beat Serendib Breakaways, 62 – 11 by 8 wickets,
MCC MOM: Bowes
A second T20 was started, MCC batting first and opening with the two not out batsmen from the first match. They retired with the score on 47 and 72 respectively to be replaced by Bhalarao and Barrett, alliteration in “B” being all the rage. Barrett joined the duck race to bring Mahmud Khan to the crease and they put on 18 before the heavens opened. This was enough for the Breakaways who packed their kit and fled although the weather did brighten up for a while so the game was abandoned.
Waqas Khan, 27* retired
Bowes, 22*, retired
Bhalerao, 22*
Barrett, 0, bowled
Mahmud Khan, 2*
MCC, 91 for 3 down, match abandoned.