MCC A vs Breakaways, Elias gets a three-fer (27 Aug 2016)

The fixture was arranged originally against PAK Augsburg but they bailed the day before the match. Fortunately the Breakaways are always ready for a game and two T20 matches were arranged as our second game against Serendib was also cancelled on the previous Wednesday. The Breakaways won the toss and chose to field first , MCC opening the batting with Sarma and Kantor – who had actually lost the toss standing in for captain Weston. Kantor trudged back to the pavilion in the second over, quickly followed by Bowes in the third who usurped the MCC II captain`s position at the top of the duck race table. After 3 overs MCC were 18 for 2 wickets down. A partnership of 53 for the third between Weston and Sarma showed everyone how to run between the wickets, making 0s into 1s, 1s into 2s and 2s into 3s. Weston went for 13 with the score on 68 and made way for Elias Beresford. His lack of experience batting on a Flicx wicket showed and shortly afterwards he was replaced by Colling. After 19 runs were added Sarma left having scored 46, the highest score of the match and the same as his not-out score of the week before against Erlangen. With just over 100 tuns on the board in the 16^th over, Colling left the field, Altmann and Sestan put on another 10 before Altmann made way for Blades who faced a no-ball, a wide, tonked a four and was then out caught with the score on 119. Barrett went for three leaving Maihwand Khan playing his first game for MCC and Sestan to bat out the over with the score on 123.

Captain Weston pulls to leg © Philip Crebbin — Captain Weston pulls to leg
© Philip Crebbin

Sarma in full flow © Philip Crebbin — Sarma in full flow, Altmann umpiring
© Philip Crebbin

Altmann hits hard, now properly dressed © Philip Crebbin — Altmann hits hard, now properly dressed
© Philip Crebbin

Waqas in attacking mode © Philip Crebbin — Waqas in attacking mode
© Philip Crebbin

There was a good party atmosphere at the ground with mums and dads from all four corners of a circular globe – Australia and Canada among them. The party atmosphere continued after the matches when 25 of us went for a Ruby Murray and surprisingly met Andy Wembridge there having a sneaky meal all alone – or so he thought.

A short tea break, a plentiful spread provided by Colling – but remember the non-pork eating members next time – and MCC opened the bowling with Maihwand and Blades. Maihwand made a determined attempt to head up the wide boys table and Blades got a wicket with his second ball. After six overs the Breakaways were 33 for 1 and bowlers Altman and Barret took over. Barrett got a wicket but also got tonked going for 28 from his three overs and, after 11 overs, they were 72 for 2 wickets. Beresford and Sarma now took over the bowling chores and were soon among the wickets, Sarma getting 2 and Beresford 3, two of them from consecutive balls. He didn`t get a hat-trick and this time it wasn`t his dad who dropped a dolly on the hat-trick ball. Colling bowled the 17^th over and went for 8 runs leaving the opposition needing 5 runs for victory. Blades came back on for his fourth and the figures were 1, leg bye, 1, leg bye and 1 so once again we finished second to the Breakaways.