Category: 2014

Veser makes the 500 club while’st Man of the Match Konchada falls short in the duck race

The last match of the season and that against a team from the Scot Lands. The Ship Inn from Elie are a very friendly team – they only play friendlies – and their home ground is on the beach – so they can only play when the tide is out. Once it is out they roll the sand and can get in a 30 innings per side match in the six hours available. They also have their own playing rules which is that every player except the keeper has to bowl two overs before anyone can bowl a third. They also play that a batsman must retire once he scores 50. They had 14 players in their party so it turned out to be a scorer’s nightmare as they used thirteen bowlers. Most of them were staying in the Euro Youth Hotel where club member Andy Mayston had kindly lapsed his Oktoberfest rule not to take bookings for groups as they were MCC guests. On arrival at the hotel one of the Elie squad was greeted with “we don`t see many wearing cravats in here”.

Captain for the day Clare cheated quite brazenly to win the toss and chose to bat, opening with Parlour and Veser. Despite swapping out the bowlers regularly the score ambled along in test match fashion and after 10 overs – equals six bowlers – MCC were 35 for 0. The pace was upped somewhat and in the 20^th over Parlour passed his fifty so MCC were 127 for 1. In came Konchada, desperate not to get a duck and scored only 1 from the first 12 balls faced. Veser meanwhile had passed 50 and so with 2 down MCC were 130 and in came Arunachalam. He and Konchada now went over to very aggressive batting and put on 68 for the third wicket, before Konchada was run out, much to the joy of Kantor who had been patrolling the boundary in full kit hoping for a last knock of the season. There were only two balls left and Arunachalam was facing but, joy of joy, it was a no-ball and they ran so Kantor was able to get a much celebrated single.

After teas provided by Kantor and Sestan, MCC opened the bowling with Sestan and Kantor – take note members, bring the teas and you get to open the bowling. Captain Clare had decided to bowl those first who hadn`t had a bat so didn`t stick to the two overs for everyone first rule. The openers bowled only three wides in their nine overs and took one wicket, a splendid catch by Konchada off Kantor and Elie were 35 for 1. Kulanagayam and Scott took over the attack, both bowled tightly and took 2 for 5 and 2 for 10 respectively and after 15 overs Elie were 50 for 5. Gaikwad took two in his first over to make it 52 for 7. The eighth wicket put on a soixante-neuf but was broken by Arunachalam in the 29^th over. Konchada came on for the final over and went for 4 w . . . w so Elie were all out on the last possible ball of the innings for 124.

Helmut had stocked up with three crates of cool fresh which didn`t last long – thirsty fellows these Scots – so we retired to the Chinese Tower for several Mass and then, around 9pm, to be soaked when Daniel really let it down once again.

Veser, 50*

Parlour, 55*

Konchada, 31, run out, 1 over, 0 mdns, 4 runs, 2 wkts, 2 catches

Arunachalam, 31*, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 5 runs, 1 wkt

Kantor, 1, not out, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 16 runs, 1 wkt

Gattinger, DNB, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 33 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch

Clare, DNb, 5 overs, 0 mdns, 28 runs, 0 wkts

Gaikwad, DNB, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 3 runs, 2 wkts

Kulanagayan, DNB, 3 overs, 1 mdn, 5 runs, 2 wkts

Scott, DNB, 4 overs, 1 mdn, 10 runs, 2 wkts

Sestan, DNB, 5 overs, 0 mdns, 19 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch

MCC, 203 for 3, beat Ship Inn Elie, 124 for 10 by 79 runs

MCC MOM Konchada

Blackheath rides forth at the Hirschanger

 

This was the long awaited tour of the Blackheath 5’s after a very wet and rainy Friday and some showers into Saturday morning. Nevertheless the selection committee did wonders to pick an XI from the 20 members available and even remembered to tell off two for teas. One of them, O’Meagher brought some, the other, Bhamare thought it meant he had to pay 30 euros for teas in order to be able to play. Considering the problems we have with our Indian players and teas, I imagine providing teas for the team and opposition is simply not done in India. The problem was solved by sending the Gor on a bicycle to the nearby Tengelmans to get a second lot.

Captain Sarma lost the toss and MCC were asked to field, opening with Lancashire’s best Dom Gill and Garner. Garner took the first wicket in his third over, caught Gaikwad – another Indian who can catch – with the score on 19. Some 16 runs later Maxi Hoeck of Tegernsee who had set up the tour was run out by Clare who managed to finger the ball on to the stumps after it had been hit straight back to him. He later bowled Heidi – not a Swiss Mädchen but the nickname for an Aussie called Fleiss – to enter the 25 wicket club. Wickets fell regularly with no-one taking more than a couple as most were only allowed three overs or one wicket by the captain. There was a lot of embarrassingly aggressive appealing for LBW but all emanating from the Blackheath side who had some kind of competition going to get their own players given out.  They were pretty well oiled having spent two nights in Munich already and many of them went straight to the cool fresh in the changing room before the game. “I will only umpire if I can smoke and drink” said one. They were joined shortly afterwards by the Tasmanian Brummie who turned up to watch. The Blackadders including Baldrick were all out for 75 in 27.3 overs but considered it a score to defend as they have won games fielding second defending lower scores. This was the first time any of them had ever played on anything other than a grass wicket so they were somewhat bemused by the lack of bounce on a Flicx laid on a soggy underground.

As rain clouds were looming it was decided to play the second innings and take teas after the game was over. O’Meagher and Mitchell opened and hit the first boundaries of the match, a four and a six. Mitchells six was a sight to behold and was much admired by the opposition afterwards. O’Meagher went for 10, LBW, with the score on 10 and was replaced by Sarma. He and Mitchell put on 23 before Daniel let it down and the game was abandoned. The plentiful teas, washed down with three crates made for an enjoyable post match gathering and at 7 pm all retired to Fräulein Grüneis’s for a couple more and then onwards for a Ruby Murray where the cook had learned once again to make spicy mean spicy. Then it was time to leave the guests on another crawl around Munich to be home in time for “last night of the proms”.

O’Meagher, 10, LBW,

Mitchell, 10*

*Sarma, 13*, 2.3 overs, 0 mdns, 5 runs, 2 wkts

*1 Weston, DNB, 2 overs, 1 mdn, 1 run, 0 wkts

Parlour, DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 9 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

Garner, DNB, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 9 runs, 1 wkt

Bhamare, DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 5 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch

Gaikwad, DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 10 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

*2 Clare, DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 6 runs, 1 wkt, 1 stumping

O’Connor, DNB, 3 overs, 1 mdn, 10 runs, 2 wkts

Gill, DNB, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 11 runs, 0 wkts.

Blackheath 5’s, 75 for 10 in 27.3 overs, MCC, 33 for 1 in 6 overs

MCC Superstars roar away from the Lufthansa super league

Sunday, 7^th September and the five superstars – it should have been six but Weaver cried off late in the morning of the event – arrived at the Attaching ground ready for a day of competitive cricket in the late summer sunshine. Langwadt had travelled with the S-Bahn and then on bicycle to arrive in good time and show exemplary attitude.

We were able to borrow a player from Lufthansa to make up the team under the condition that he could not bowl as our first game – the first of the day – was against the top Lufthansa A team. Umpire Uday was being very officious and threatening to dock us points we never expected to get anyway if we didn`t hurry along. Captain for the day Alagh won the toss and chose to bat, opening with Konchada and Gaikwad who put on a quick 11 for the first wicket before Gaikwad was bowled first ball of the second over. Alagh and Konchada put on another 10 then Alagh was run out in the third over. Penjuri and Konchada took the Stars to the final score of 33 for two, Langwadt and ringer Rohit not being called on to bat. Lufthansa clearly thought winning would be piece of cake but did the Stars ever show them? Their first wicket fell in the 1^st over, bowled Penjuri, caught, Gaikwad with the score on 7. Two runs later the second fell, caught Rohit, bowled Gaikwad. Five runs later, it was 3 down, caught Penjuri bowled Alagh. A fourth wicket stand of 9 was ended, LBW, bowled Konchada and their final wicket fell by a run out in the same over with the score on 25.

Konchada, 9*, 1 over, 0 mdns, 4 runs, 1 wkt

Gaikwad, 11, bowled, 1 over, 0 mdns, 2 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

*Alagh, 5, run out, 1 over, 0 mdns, 12 runs, 1 wkt,

Penjuri, 4*, 1 over, 0 mdns, 4 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

Langwadt, DNB

+Rohit, DNB, 1 catch

MCC, 33 for 2 beat Lufthansa A, 25 all out by 8 runs.

The second game was against Tegernsee who had been thrashed by Serendib in their first so it was an important fixture for both teams. Ringer Rohit was given permission to bat and bowl so Langwadt was asked to keep. Tegernsee won the toss and asked MCC to bat who opened with Gaikwad and Konchada who put on 34 for the first wicket, Gaikwad falling for 12 in the 5^th over. Langwadt scored his first run in anger outside the hall for MCC and we finished on 37 for one after five overs.

MCC bowled very tightly, the first Tegernsee wicket, Chakry going first ball of the innings, well caught by Alagh off Penjuri. After two overs they were four for one down and after three overs 12 for one down and needing 26 off two overs. On came Ringer Rohit and perhaps the qualification to his bowling should have finished on “he cannot bowl”. His figures were 6 wides, 4 wides, 4 wides, a two a four and a single so Tegernsee needed 5 to win off the final over. Captain Alagh duly obliged them with a full toss first ball and the game was over. If only we had asked Langwadt to bowl we would almost certainly have been guaranteed a semi-final place, but now we needed to thrash Serendib to go through.

Gaikwad, 12, caught, 1 over, 0 mdns, 6 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

Konchada, 18*, 1 over, 0 mdns, 3 runs, 1 wkt

+Langwadt, 1*,

*Alagh, DNB, 0.1 overs, 0 mdns, 6 runs, 0 wkts

Penjuri, DNB, 1 over, 0 mdns, 1 run, 1 wkt, 1 catch

Rohit, DNB, 1 over, 0 mdns, 21 runs, 0 wkts

MCC, 37 for 2, lost to Tegernsee, 39 for 2 by 3 wkts.

After a splendid curry lunch it was out again to face Serendib who also needed to win handsomely to be sure of qualifying for the semis. Captain Alagh won the toss and chose to bat, opening with Gaikwad and Langwadt who put on 14 for the first wicket before Gaikwad went caught in the second over. Langwadt and Alagh put on another 18 for the second wicket before Alagh was caught for five in the 5^th over. Langwadt was run out for 11 four balls later and Penjuri was run out off the final ball going for a suicidal single. Balu, who was replacing Rohit as the ringer did not face a ball.

Serendib were not going to make the same mistake as Lufthansa A and took us very seriously. Also our bowling probably suffered a little from the unexpected pressure and Serendib hit off the necessary runs in three overs with no loss of wickets.

Gaikwad, 4, caught, 1 over, 0 mdns, 12 runs, 0 wkts

+Langwadt, 11, run out,

*Alagh, 5, caught,

Konchada, 1*, 1 over, 0 mdns, 12 runs, 0 wkts

Penjuri, 0, run out, 1 over, 0 mdns, 15 runs, 0 wkts

Baku, DNB.

MCC, 37 for 4, lost to Serendib, 39 for 0, by 5 wickets.

After an enjoyable day in the sunshine with a tasty lunch and some surprisingly good cricket. MCC drifted home rueing the fact that we were a player and a bowler short and dreaming of what might have been.

MCC had the misfortune to be drawn to play the first match of the day and thus were at the ground ready to go at 09:30 except for keeper Michahelles who had difficulty finding a landing strip for his aeroplane. Captain Weston asked Gattinger to make the toss and he enjoyed it so much there were actually four tosses made. Eventually in true MCC tradition he lost it and MCC were asked to bat on a very wet surface.

Weston and Nielsen opened and quickly showed we were there for business, Weston hitting 15 off the first over. In the six overs bowled MCC scored 81 runs with Nielsen actually run out off the last ball going for a crazy single but doing what was needed in this short format.

MCC opened the bowling with Gattinger who went for 13 runs followed by Penjuri who also went for 10 including a spectacular no-ball four, then Gaikwad went for 11 in his over but with a wicket. Alagh then went for 16 and BCC were 50 for 1 after four overs. Nielsen went 6 6 6 . 2 2 so with one over to go they needed 10 runs. Captain Weston stepped up to the mark and bowled . 1.  B . 1 and so MCC surprised everyone by winning their first match by 6 runs

*Weston, 53*, 1 over, 0 mdns, 2 runs, 0 wkts

Nielsen, 19, run out, 1 over, 0 mdns, 22 runs, 0 wkts

Gattinger, DNB, 1 over, 0 mdns, 15 runs, 0 wkts

Penjuri, DNB, 1 over, 0  mdns, 12 runs, 0 wkts

Gaikwad, DNB, 1 over, 0 mdns, 9 runs, 1 wkt

Alagh, DNB, 1 over, 0 mdns, 9 runs, 0 wkts

+Michahelles, DNB.

Konchada, sat out this match.

In the second match of the day Pak Orient hammered MBCC and then the heavens really opened. After a sumptuous curried chicken lunch that even Bunty Blades would have appreciated, the remaining days play was called off to be continued either on 6^th or 14th September.

Captain Sarma returns from a long training session in France and Italy to lead MCC to victory.

Although the MICs were playing in the Pak Orient organised seven-a-side tournament today they still committed to turn out at the Hirschanger for a friendly. Unfortunately they only arrived with seven players and no, they hadn’t confused the venues. Had they told us a couple of days earlier we could have helped out but as it was, new member Matt Weaver batted for them, twice actually as his first innings was interpreted as you can`t be out first ball on a strange wicket. So Matt had the unusual experience of batting twice in the same innings but not batting for his own team. He did everything else though and made some serious entries into the wickets, catches and wide-boys statistics.

Captain Sarma disdained to make the toss and MIC were put in to bat to face Blades and Sestan who had only arrived home at 6am after a quick drink with the club treasurer. In his four overs he bowled five wides and was probably having difficulty locating the actual wicket. MICs first wicket went for 29 thanks to a superb run out. Aranachalam who bowled very tightly got the second in his third over with the score on 30. A healthy partnership of 39 was put on by Munish and dark trousered Prateek who went for 9, caught Algar, bowled Weaver. Sarma, obviously rueing going away and losing his place at the top of the bowling table brought himself on and got the dangerous Johnson for three, caught Weaver. He then bowled Ripesh for three and MICs were now 84 for 4 down. Munish was finally caught by Arunachalam off Algar for 23 with the score on 92. Now came Weaver’s two innings and veteran Nath was run out when his forty year younger partner called him through for a second and the MICS were all out for 93.

After teas provided by Konchada, including some wonderful spicy potatoes and peas in a fluffy pastry shell which made the actual tea taste better than ever, MCC opened with Veser and Mitchel. Not for very long though as Munish was unplayable with fast late swing getting Veser and Konchada at number three were bowled for ducks and Mitchell for only three and MCC were 7 for three down after three overs. Parlour and Sarma steadied the ship most probably because Munish was taken out of the attack. Had this not happened we could have been attaching the cool fresh by four o’clock. They put on 71 for the fourth wicket before Munish was brought back on and Sarma promptly fell LBW for 31 with the score on 78 leaving Parlour and Arunachalam to take MCC to victory 22.2 overs.

Palfrey, Scott and Nielsen as well as Speiss the cakeman turned up to watch the end and help to empty the fridge and Weston and O’Meagher made running visits as part of their training for the Paris marathon. Nielsen actually helped to fill it as two crates were insufficient and with typical Viking persuasiveness he fetched a third from Helmuth.

Veser, 0, bowled

Mitchell, 3, bowled

Konchada, 0, bowled, 1 over 0 mdns, 1 run, 1 wkt

Parlour, 31*, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 5 runs, 0 wkts

Sarma, 31, LBW, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 7 runs, 2 wkts

Arunachalam, 8*, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 6 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

Algar, DNB, 3 overs, 0 Mdns, 7 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

Sestan, DNB, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 24 runs, 0 wkts

Clare, DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 11 runs, 0 wkts

Blades, DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 10 runs, 0 wkts

Weaver, DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 20 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

MCC, 94 for 4, beat MICs, 98 for 8, by 6 wickets.

MCC MOM: Sarma

Arunachalam stars against MCC and Parlour gives the lie to being unable to bowl

It was scheduled as the needle match between Tegernsee and MCC to decide the series for the 2014 season. However Tegernsee put the kybosh on that by emailing on Wednesday morning advising they had only four players and asked for suggestions. Get another seven players quickly was probably the most printable of the various ideas occurring to MCC organisers Blades and Sestan. They worked devotedly and were able to get three players from BCC and we gave them another four, Arunachalam who had volunteered earlier together with Gattinger and Kulanagayam, the two newest members, as well as Shashi Gaikwad who turned up and wants to join us. His girlfriend also turned up later to enjoy her first match at the Hirschanger and freeze to death – welcome to summer cricket in Germany

With the teams sorted out – TCC actually only brought three players as JET had an argument with his motorbike in the morning and broke a finger – captain for the day Blades duly lost the toss, yet again, and MCC were asked to bowl.

Hoeck and Arunachalam opened the batting to face Sestan and Konchada who both bowled well taking one wicket for 36 in eight overs between them. Next on were Blades and Penjuri who took three wickets for 30 in their eight overs, one of them to a superb running catch in the deep from Konchada to remove Gattinger. It was no consolation to him that on any other ground in Munich that hit would have been a six. The third bowling pair was Miller – always good for a wicket – and Alagh who took two wickets for 34 in their six overs and finally on came non-bowler Parlour who bowled very tightly with the slightly more expensive Algar and they took two wickets for 39 in their eight overs, Parlour getting Arunachalam, the highest scorer of the match for 47 with a stunning caught and bowled. TCC-CCB United finished on 141 for eight down in their thirty overs, 65 of the runs scored by the MCC ringers – this increases to 95 if we add the wides.

After teas which included some tasty home-made sausage rolls provided by Algar, MCC opened with Palfrey and O`Connor to face Govendar and Hoeck. Palfrey went caught by Arunachalam after facing three balls and was replaced by non-bowler Parlour, hand still bruised and smarting from the c&b earlier. O`Connor decided the cool fresh was calling and departed for one after facing 9 balls actually admitting the single should have been a bye but was willing to accept it as a run. With Veser and Parlour a good third wicket partnership of 55 blossomed until Veser went for 21, caught by Hoeck off Habib, one of the CCB players. Parlour went for 30 two overs later bowled by Gaikwad. Konchada and Algar put on a decent 28 for the fifth wicket until Konchada was rather unfortunately run out for 11. Alagh came and went quickly but succeeded in lowering the danger of taking the lead in the duck race. Miller had a golden one and MCC were now 113 for seven down in the 28^th over. Out strode Sestan, eyes flashing and successfully preventing a hat-trick for Chakry. He also succeeded in passing the strike to Algar who was scoring at a rate of two a ball so we were in with a chance until Algar was rather comically run-out, he and Sestan doing a little two-step shuffle in the middle of the pitch rather than run around each other. Penjuri blocked the next three balls of Arunachalam’s over and Sestan somehow avoided hitting Gattinger`s only ball of the match and went for a duck. MCC were all out for 118 as Blades decided not to bat because the opposition had only nine batters too.

It has been a very enjoyable match and 15 MCC players had been able to get a game so many thanks to the organisers for some great work.

Palfrey, 0, caught

O’Connor, 1, caught

Parlour, 30, bowled, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 13 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

Veser, 21, caught

Konchada, 11, run out, 4 overs, 1 mdn, 17 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch

Algar, 15, run out, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 26 runs, 1 wkt, 2 catches

Alagh, 1, bowled, 3overs, 0 mdns, 15 runs, 1 wkt

Miller, 0, bowled, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 19 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

Sestan, 0, bowled, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 19 runs, 1 wkt

Penjuri, 0*, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 15 runs, 1 wkt.

Blades, DNB, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 15 runs, 2 wkts

MCC, 118 for 8, lost to TCC/CCB, 141 for 8, by 23 runs

MCC MOM: Parlour.

WILMINGTON, COMPLETE WITH DIGERIDOO, RETURNS AFTER FIVE YEARS TO TAKE A THREE-FER.

It was rather like a gathering of the clans with Lovell playing his first game of the season and Wilmington his first since 2009. It needed only Carr and Giles and we could almost have called it an ex-captains eleven.

Captain for the day Blades duly lost the toss and MCC were asked to field against a fairly weak Pak Orient side that included 10 year old Hassan and 65 year old Adschi, both of whom Nielsen bowled in one over as well as getting Khalid LBW in the same over.

Pak Orient openers Mustaza and Khalif Iqbal fell to the combination of Blades and Wilmington, Blades bowling Mustaza in the 5^th over and catching Iqbal off Wilmington in the 8^th. Sestan had opened the bowling with Blades but waited until his fifth and final over to take three wickets for 22 runs in total. Actually there would have been fewer runs against him but the umpires didn`t bother to signal byes or leg byes. The green coated Albanian cannot complain though as he is prone to same error when umpiring. Of the remaining batsmen only Sahil managed to make double figures going for 28, splendidly caught by Palfrey off Wilmington, who had all three top scorers for Pak Orient as his victims. Pak Orient finished with 86 all out after 23 overs.

Teas which included some splendid sandwiches of Tuna fish mixed with Masala paste were provided by Scott.

MCC opened their innings with Palfrey and Lovell and put on an easy 48 before Lovell departed for 17 in the 9^th over. Lobo, playing his first game added a bit of light entertainment, falling flat on his back facing Adschi and getting bowled for 1. Palfrey became Adschi`s second victim, stumped for 33 in the 13<sup>th</sup> over with the score on 74. It was interesting to see how MCC played a very slow bowler who tossed the ball way above the batsman`s eye-line – not very well is the answer I guess.

Veser went bowled for seven shortly after and it was good to see him back after the severe eye injury he suffered. We hope playing did not aggravate the situation so let us when you read this Manny.

Furlonger and Parameswaran, playing his final game before moving to Berlin, took MCC to victory after 16.1 overs.

Palfrey, 33, stumped, 1 catch

Lovell, 17, caught

Lobo, 1, bowled

Veser, 7, bowled, 1 over, 0 mdns, 5 runs, 0 wkts

Furlonger, 2*, 1 over, 0 mdns, 11 runs, 0 wkts

+Parameswaran, 7*

Scott, DNB, 3 overs, 1 mdn, 5 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch

Nielsen, DNB, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 7 runs, 3 wkts, 1 catch

Wilmington, DNB, 5 overs, 0 mdns, 15 runs, 3 wkts

Sestan, DNB, 5 overs, 0 mdns, 22 runs, 3 wkts

*Blades, DNB, 5 overs, 0 mdns, 20 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

MCC, 87 for 4, beat Pak Orient, 87 – 10 by 6 wickets.

MCC MOM: difficult with three bowlers taking 3 wickets, two of them taking three in one over but Wilmington chosen for getting their three top scorers.

A friendly at the Hirschanger against Tegernsee with a pleading request from “Watch out for Igor” for everyone to turn up promptly at 12 noon to get the ground ready. In the days when people use mobiles rather than wrist watches, clearly 12 noon suffers from different interpretations but it really should never mean 20 minutes past twelve.

Skipper Weston had pulled a Hammy the night before, apparently not fleeing from an irate male and at the Chinese Tower after the match regaled us with colourful stories of the effect of taking three magnesium powders.

Anyway, pulled Hammy or not he lost the toss in true tradition and MCC were asked to field. We had only 10 players but that shouldn`t have been a handicap. Teas were provided by Chakrabarthy and, somewhat unusually, he brought along some fresh butter whereas we usually go for BBBJs. Judging by the catching performance everyone had been raiding the butter dish for not one catch of the six or more opportunities was taken.

Scott and Alagh opened the bowling for MCC and Scott got the first wicket with the score on 31 in the 7^th over. Penjuri and Konchada were the first change pair. They took four wickets between them including John Edward Turner Brunskill who went LBW for 3. Miller took a wicket with his first ball then made a determined effort to top the wide boys table headed by Gattinger. Gattinger though was happy to concede defeat and in his three overs, one of them a maiden, bowled only one wide. Tegernsee were all out for 164, including 29 wides, in 35 overs. We had a spectator, Andy Ward and his girl friend Heather from the St. Andrews University Staff and Post-Graduate CC. Andy lives in a small village next to Elie who will visit us in September. Do we have a tour to St. Andrews on the book now? The golfing members including Captain Oates of Zuoz fame will be interested.

After teas MCC opened with Mitchell and Kantor, with Kantor looking to displace Michahelles in the duck race. It wasn`t to be though and they put on 23 before Mitchell went for 11, bowled by Maxi Hoeck to be followed shortly after by Kantor, bowled for 12 by Yash. They were replaced by Alagh, the only new entry in the duck race and Konchada who top-scored with 34. Chakrabarthy and Penjuri played a test match partnership taking 37 balls for their combined nine runs and with the score on 81 for 6 down  and 10 overs to go it was looking a little serious. Not serious enough to condone Gattingers hilarious reverse sweep attempt, the first time he has tried it in his own words. It should be his last was the general opinion. Konchada fell in the 27^th over leaving Miller and Scott to try to save the day. Scott went for three and, because of the captains Hammy, was allowed to bat twice scoring another three leaving Miller stranded and MCC all out for 112.

It had been a super friendly match and we are looking forward to the return fixture on 23rd August.

Mitchell, 11, bowled

Kantor, 12, bowled

Alagh, 0, bowled, 5 overs, 0 mdns, 24 runs, 0 wkts

Konchada, 34, caught, 5 overs, 0 mdns, 20 runs, 1 wkt

Chakrabarthy, 4, caught, 6 overs, 0 mdns, 40 runs, 2 wkts

Penjuri, 5, LBW, 6 overs, 0 mdns, 23 runs, 3 wkts

Gattinger, 4, bowled, 3 overs, 1 mdn, 8 runs, 1 wkt

Miller, 11*, 3 0vers, 0 mdns, 29 runs, 1 wkt

Scott (1^st), 3, caught, 7 overs, 0 mdns, 19 runs, 1 wkt

Scott (2^nd), 3, bowled

Weston DNB

MCC, 112 for 9 lost to Tegernsee, 164 for 10 by 52 runs

MCC MOM: Penjuri

Another friendly at the glorious Hirschanger against CCB almost didn`t happen as on Thursday they advised they had only 7 players and would have to cancel if we did not help them out. This led to groveling appeals to Tegernsee during Friday and coercion of three new MCC players at the Friday nets. On Saturday then CCB, now referred to as CCB United, arrived with eight plus Krishna from Tegernsee and we gave them Pankaj Saini, Badrinath SN and Chris Lobo making them 12 in total. MCC had 12 too with Sestan known to be available only for the first innings. Nirmal Konchada arrived late and was promptly assigned to the United team making it 13 against 12 with all batting but only 11 fielders at any one time.

Untied won the toss and chose to bat, their openers Krishna and Lobo facing the wrath of Sestan and Raubenheimer. Raubenheimer bowled his new club mate Lobo in his second over and Sestan, who had bowled two very tight opening overs went haywire in his third with no balls, wides, longhop boundaries etc. but somehow managed to bowl Krishna. New member Badri was bowled by old member Miller – always good for a wicket is Scott- after doggedly defending 29 balls. The third new member, Pankaj was superbly run out by Algar/Clare after 26 balls. In all MCC used 10 bowlers to take the 12 United wickets for 151 in the 32^nd over, including 36 wides.

After teas provided by Arunachalam and cakes by Franz Spiess MCC opened with Weston and keeper Parameswaran and they put on 32 before Parameswaran went LBW for 5, followed shortly after by Weston. Aranachalam and Alagh added only one to the score before Alagh was run out without facing a ball – actually the keeper broke the wicket before gathering the ball but the umpire was unsighted so bad luck Manev. Clare played his famous shot for six over square but went for 8 after facing five balls. Algar and Nielsen both looked good but didn`t score many and MCC were 90 for 7 down in the 19^th over. Penjuri and Blades put on 27 for the eighth wicket, Penjuri demonstrating his crab-like, Chanderpaul defence admirably. Blades and Raubenheimer stayed together for 4 overs with Raubenheimer finishing 1 not out. Great defense there Michael but think about upping the scoring rate. Miller was the last wicket to fall to a caught and bowled from Konchada, clearly extracting revenge for being pressed into the United team.

Weston, 23, bowled

Parameswaran, 5, LBW, 1 catch

Arunachalam, 14, LBW, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 18 runs, 0 wkts

Alagh, 0 run out, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 11 runs, 1 wkt, 1 catch

Clare, 8, caught, 3 overs, 2 mdns, 6 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch

Algar, 6, bowled, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 5 runs, 1 wkt

Nielsen, 7, caught, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 26 runs, 3 wkts

Penjuri, 10, caught, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 20 runs, 0 wkts

Blades, 12, LBW, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 9 runs, 1 wkt

Raubenheimer, 1*, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 9 runs, 1 wkt

Miller, 1. caught, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 23 runs, 2 wkts.

Sestan, DNB

MCC, 124 for 10, lost to CCB United, 151 for 12 by 27 runs.

MCC MOM: Nielsen

Thanks to those who answered our call for help, especially the three new members who turned out for the opposition and made it a very enjoyable match in perfect weather.

A friendly against Lufthansa at the Hirschanger on a steaming hot day, 35°C, saw the final appearance of the Cobra before he moves to Stockholm. With an unusual sense of tradition captain Sarma lost the toss – well, actually there was no toss as at the start Lufthansa had only six players so were given the option of batting first.

Rabbani opened the bowling for MCC and with a break from tradition did not start with a wide, waiting until the second ball to do this. His first over went for three runs, his second for 17, many of them wides. Scott, the other opening bowler was very tight going for only 11 runs from 4 overs, The MCC side had been chosen mostly from those long time teammates of Rabbani and all were given the chance to bowl. In fact MCC used 10 Bowlers in getting all eight Lufthansa wickets for 146, 46 of them being extras. Gattinger had his first spell for MCC going for 10 runs in one over, eight of them wides – is this a serious challenge to Michahelles?

After some splendid teas provided by O`Connor MCC opened with Weston and Garner. Garner quickly joined the duck race in the fifth over with the score on 24 but Weston was in good nick, falling for 37 in the 11^th over with the score on 50. Konchada and Rabbani put on rapid 42 for the third wicket until Konchada fell LBW for 21 in the 18^th over. Rabbani was run out for 23 in the 19^th with the score on104.Clare went for 1 with the score on 110 and O’connor followed him for 2 with the score on 116. It was left to the hard hitting Gattinger and Sarma to take MCC to victory in the 26^th over

As a lasting memory to Rabbani we had the joy of seeing him take the last Lufthansa wicket with the final ball of the innings and hitting a glorious six from the first ball he faced. Good on you Maj, we will miss you and think of the hit song of the Three Degrees.

Weston, 35, caught, 4 overs, 3 mdns 1 run, 1 wkt

Garner, 0, bowled, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 16 runs, 2 wkts, 1 catch

Konchada, 21, LBW, 2 overs, 0 mdns, 21 runs, 0 wkts

Rabbani, 23, run out, 4.1 overs, 0 mdns, 32 runs, 2 wkts

O`Connor 2, LBW, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 14 runs, 0 wkts

Clare, 1, bowled, 3 overs, 0 mdns, 10 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch

Gattinger, 24*, 1 over, 0 mdns, 10 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch

Sarma, 9*, 5 overs, 1 mdn, 15 runs, 2 wkts

Furlonger, DNB

Scott, DNB, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 11 runs, 0 wkts, 1 catch

Blades, DNB, 4 overs, 0 mdns, 15 runs, 1 wkt

MCC, 149 for 6, beat Lufthansa, 146 for 8, by 4 wickets.

MCC MOM Weston