Second league game of season brought MCC 1st XI to the slippery, unstable wicket of CCB in West Park. After dealing with a parking hussle finally MCC players arrived on time to start the match. Skipper Wembo was all pumped up and enthusiastic and went for the toss just to lose it and MCC were asked to field.
CCB were very strong and knowledgeable of their home ground and conditions, keeping their footing and clearing the boundary line well. Their centurion was unfortunately dropped several times during his innings.
MCC made a slow start to the good opening bowling, struggling to adjust to the slippery coconut matting, which was eventually rectified by sliding a piece of astroturf between the matting and the boards. Sadly, this was already after our first two wickets fell trapped on the crease LBW.
Solid run scoring followed from Mahmoud, Mudussir and Deshpande as well as du Plessis who got MCC over the 200 run mark with one particularly aggressive over of 28.
MCC stats:
1. Ali Khan, 12, LBW, 1 catch, 1 combined Runout with Waqas, 2 catch chances
2. A. Wembridge, 26, LBW, 4 overs, 48 runs, 2 wkts, 1 catch, 1 Wide
3. Mahmood, 51, Caught, 8 overs, 60 runs, 2 wkt, 1 Wide
4. M. Ayub, 31, Caught, 4 overs, 20 runs, 4 Wides, 1 No ball
5. V. Deshpande, 23, LBW, 1 catch chance
6. Obaid, 0, Run Out, 1 catch
7. Shashi G., 0, Caught, 1 catch chance
8. Aditya D. , 0, Bowled, 5 overs, 52 runs, 2 wkt, 4 Wides
9. Du Plessis, 45*, Not Out, 8 overs, 43 runs, 2 wkts, 7 Wides
10. Imtiaz, 0, Bowled, 4 overs, 13 runs, 1 No Ball
11. Waqas, 5, Bowled, 6 overs, 48 runs, 1 combined Runout with Khan, 4 Wides, 3 No Balls
MCC, 225 All Out in 39.2 overs, lost to CCB, 279/9 in 40.0 overs, by 54 runs
MCC extras: 31 (5NB, 20 Wides, 3 Byes, 3 LegByes)
MCC MOM: P. Du Plessis
(SG)