Sunday 23rd July and MCC travelled hopefully to Burghausen to play the league leaders knowing that a victory would probably mean reaching the play-offs for promotion to division I. Three cars met at the Hirschanger and I had the honour of collecting and conveying the umpire to the ground – much good it did as we were still lumbered with 34 wides and 4 no-balls which, with the 10 byes, added up to 48 extras.
We were pleasantly surprised to see that the game was to be played in the Wacker SV stadium and looked forward to hordes of spectators. Captain Barrett lost the toss – does he ever win one? – and MCC were asked to field first. Bhamare and Khan Maiwand opened the attack so that after 12 overs they were 47 for 2 down both caught Bowes, bowled Maiwand. Barrett and Toke were the first change bowlers and, after twenty they were 88 for 4 down which, considering the relatively small ground, was a good position for MCC. The fifth wicket fell in the 21st over, Adil caught Kotru bowled Barrett. Adil got his revenge though, later bowling Barrett as part of his Michelle. Their sixth went in the 23rd over leaving them at 94 for 6 down. Thereafter things went more than a little pear shaped, Toke, Ibrahimkhel, Carr, Konchada and Bhat all getting tonked, Konchada going for two sixes in an over, Ibrahimkhel and Bhat for three and Carr going for four off consecutive balls. The net result was that from a pretty good position for MCC with Burghausen 94 for 6 in 23 overs, they finished at 268 for 8 in 40 overs.
Some really splendid teas were provided by Carr, before Bhat and Kotru opened the batting for MCC. A good partnership of 45 was ended when Kotru was bowled for 18 in the 9th over and Konchada who replaced him went in the 14th over with the score on 79. Bhamare continued the good work until he fell in the 23rd over with the score on 116. That really was it as regards partnerships until the elder statesmen Giles and Carr came together for an eighth wicket partnership of 128. Unfortunately that represents their accumulated ages not their scores. In fact Carr was run out, – how could it not happen? – after a partnership of four 19 balls. MCC were all out for 165 in 35.3 overs and any last hopes of reaching the play-offs were dashed when we learned that Passau had equal points and a better run rate so Kirchanschöring came back to haunt us.
Kotru, 18, bowled, 1 over, 0 mdns, 6 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch
Bhat, 53, caught, 1 over, 0 mdns, 25 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch
Konchada, 3, LBW, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 31 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch
Bhamare, 20, caught, 8 overs, 0 mdns, 22 runs, 0 wkts
Toke, 2, bowled, 6 overs, 1 mdn, 32 rins, 1 wkt, 1 catch
+Bowes, 9, caught, 2 catches
*Barrett, 4, bowled, 8 overs, 0 mdns, 37 runs, 4 wkts, 1 catch
Giles, 2*
Carr, 2, run out, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 40 runs, 1 wkt
Obrahimkhel, 8, stumped, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 2 runs, 9 wkts
Khan Maiwand, 0, bowled, 8 overs, 0 mdns, 38 runs, 2 wkts
MCC, 165 -10 in 35.3 overs, lost to Burghausen, 268 – 8 in 40 overs by 203 runs
MCC MOM: Bhat R.