The sun was shining on a glorious morning in Munich as the players started to arrive for the 10am meet. Well, 4 players where they at 10am and the others followed by 10:15. Waiting at the gate however, were the football team admin, there to build an outdoor storage unit.
With the pitch sorted and the biggest boundary possible at the Hirsch, around 55m on the leg side and 70m on the off, the toss was ready. Lost, and put into the field. The line up was as expected, Jishnu, Amol, Neeraj (c), Mucca, Vaibhav, Hathiram, Faizan, Mayank, Akhil, Debarun (wk) and Jason with Dave as 12th man (aka match report author).
The opening 2 bowlers were Mucca and Mayank, TSVGC did as expected and the first ball was a slap to the leg side for 2 and the next on the leg side for 4. In fact, it took until the 3rd over for a shot to be played on the offside. TSVGC had arrived with at least 13 or even 14 players, they made a point on the sidelines of complaining about the size of the boundary and asking where the ‘Old Indian’ (last seasons captain was. I think that white hair is distinguished! TSVGC showed intent through the innings, despite some nice bowling, we did bowl some looseners which the oppo took fall advantage of. Hitting to all areas of the legside, few along the floor but with a number going to our team for catching, we did put them down 5 times over the course of the first 11 overs. 2 put downs at cow corner by Neeraj, deep square by Faizan, cover by Vaibhav and gulley by Akhil. Luckily, Mucca had strong safe hands and held on the 6th opportunity, also by the boundary. Some plus points, only 5 extras bowled and Mucca taking 3-23 off is 4 overs. Others picking wicket up, Mayank, Hathiram, Faizan and Neeraj. Target of 158
Off to bat, the big boundary now not helping the MCC batters were Jishnu (33) and Akhil (17), the former with a ton a couple of weeks back (or was it the previous week), who knows! Anyhow, some nice shots and when he was out for a well earned 33 (and partnership of 46 the frustrations came, as he was seeing it like a football. Mucca (33) in next and after Akhil (17) out, in came Jason (41). The partnership he and Mucca put on of 71 was very valuable, but we came up short with 135-6.
Game 2. Toss won. Into bat, which also meant that the oppo was out for another 20 overs, we hoped that this would be extra tiring for them. The only change in the team, Dave came in for Faizan. Opening up were Jishnu (23) and Akhil (4) once again, further down the order was Mucca who once again stepped up and made 28. We ended with 98 all out. During our innings and an idea for the coming weeks, Cam put some benches out for spectators, we had a good turn out over the course of both innings, a good way to drum up support for the teams and club in general. A simple act.
With 99 not being the highest target, MCC must bowl tightly. Mucca struck with the first ball of the innings, a nick through to Deb. The batter standing (and arguing that he didn’t hit it, all whilst the finger was up), off you trot! MCC with tight bowling and catching good. Jason taking two on the boundary, the 2nd the more impressive, chasing to the left and taken on the track, Dave with one low at square leg, Akhil over the shoulder, the oppo 4 down for 38 and 6 down for 48 in the 6th over. Advantage MCC. 2 more wickets to fall, one with yet another catch by Vaibhav. Mayank taking 3 wicket and Mucca 4. The oppo won in the 18th over. All in all, we bowled well, caught well but with not enough runs on the board fell short.
Onward and upwards to the next game, back to 50 overs in Nurenberg on 21st June.
In between we have a poker night on 16th June at the Keg, all welcome, let’s get a good turn out. And of course, the match that we are all looking forward to, Australia v USA in the World Cup!!