On a day when the younger, fitter, members were either playing for Germany or participating in the Serendib six-a-side tournament, a 30 over friendly was arranged against the Breakaways at the Hirschanger. Philip Crebbin assumed scoring duties for the whole match so no action photographs were taken.
Captain Kantor lost the toss and MCC were asked to field, opening with Cross and Gattinger. They bowled superbly and after six overs the Breakaways were 15 for 3 wickets down. Colling and Toke took over and were almost as effective, the score after 12 overs being 35 for 4 wickets down. The parsimonious old guard fusilier Blades assisted by Sestan took over the bowling. After their six overs the score was 67 for five down, Blades going for 4 runs from his three. Now captain Kantor and Mahmud Khan come into the attack and once again after their six overs the score was 108 for 6 wickets down so the run rate kept to a reasonable just over 4 per over. They were replaced by Bhat who continued his determined attempt to lead the wide-boys race and the other old guard, Carr. In his two overs Bhat went for 33 runs, and bowled 11 wide balls so the run rate climbed correspondingly. Blades came back for the final over, took a wicket and the Breakaways finished on 165 for eight down or 5.5 runs per over.
After teas provided by Gattinger MCC opened the batting with Toke and Colling who put on 15 before Toke departed for 4 to get another cup of tea. Two overs later Colling joined him for some cake having scored a useful 11 runs. Bhat and Mahmud Khan were now at the crease and the put on 27 for the third wicket before Bhat went for 13 and the score on 55 in the 18th over. Mahmud Khan went stumped in the same over. Otmankhil and Sestan put on a useful 18 for the 5th wicket but then the wheels came off. In the 23rd over and four runs later Cross departed and, with no extra runs scored, so too did Sestan. At the end of the 24th over MCC were 78 for 7 wickets down so well below the required run rate and looking to avoid their Waterloo. In came the oldies, not ABBA but the vielle guarde of Carr and Blades who put on an unbeaten 42 runs taking the final score after 30 overs to a more presentable 119 for seven down.
Toke, 4, caught, 3 overs, 1 mdn, 6 runs, 1 wkt
Colling, 11, bowled, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 14 runs, 0 wkts
Bhat, 13, caught, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 33 runs, 0 wkts
Mahmud Khan, 7, stumped, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 24 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch
+Otmankhil, 8, LBW
Sestan, 6, bowled, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 28 runs, 0 wkts
Cross, 2, bowled, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 10 runs, 2 wkts,
Carr, 17*, 3 overs, 1 mdn, 15 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch
Blades, 13*, 4 overs, 1 mdn, 12 runs, 2 wkts, 1 catch
*Kantor, DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 16 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch
Gattinger, DNB, 3 overs, 1 mdn, 5 runs, 1 wkt.
MCC. 119 – 7 in 30 overs, lost to Breakaways, 165 – 8 in 30 overs by 46 runs
MCC MOM: T. Blades