For those who are looking forward to this
Game Report:
Game: MCC v/s NWR
Venue: Santa Clara Cricket Club Home Ground
Date: March 21st Sunday
Format: 45 overs, 1 power play
Umpires: S.W. Poole and Ravi Shankar
Scorers: D.K. Shelly and Mallika Joshi
Toss: MCC won and elected to bat
Result: NWR win by 8 wickets
MCC 112 for 9 in 45 overs(Montgomery 22, Pearson 38, kamalia 17,
(Imran,Sourabh, Samarth 2 wickets each, Hamza, Saqib 1 wicket each and
1 run out)
Lost to
NWR 113 for 2 in 32.4 overs(Nauman 47 NOT OUT, Shantanu 17, Majeed 16,
Srinivas 10 Not Out, Bartram 1 wicket, 1 run out)
On a bright sunday Morning MCC (Lords Cricket CLub) were at SCCC
ground to play against NWR (North West Region) Cricket team. The
Outfield was nicely mowed for a perfect day of cricket despite the
rains for past one month. MCC had a good openign stand without no loss
for 30 runs in 12 overs. NWR opening bowler Imran Khan bowled with
fire and gave nothign away in his first spell. Hamza supported him
well from the other end. Due to MCC playing on a astro turf for the
first time they weren't able to play the shots they normally do. First
break through came when hamza got Kamalia caught by Ashok for 17 (36
balls) at mid off. Montgomery and pearson stitched a nice partnership
of 30 runs to ensure there are no further wicket loss. Shantanu and
Srnivas Bowled Tidy but wren't able to get Montgomery or Pearson
out.Disaster struck in the form of a brilliant piece of fielding by
shantanu @ mid off struck by Montgomery. He scored 22 (68 balls). NWR
Skipper Vijay controlled the innings well by introducing Spin earlier
and life became difficult for MCC batsman to score against Accurate
left arm spinner Samarth Shah. pearson held one end and batted
beautifully for his 38 runs. Runs Dried up once Samarth bowled a dream
spell of (9-6-4-2). Sourabh legg spinner of current USA National team
was introduced and further damage for MCC. They just couldn't get any
pace from the ball to increase the run rate. Saqib started bowling leg
breaks and googlies from the other end and MCC really got tied down
and lost wickets. Saqib got the important wicket of Pearson. Imran
Khan came back for his second spell and cleaned up 2 more wickets for
the MCC to finish @ 112 runs in 45 overs. Vijay mixed the bowlers well
and ensured MCC never got to flier and could never pace up the innings
during the death overs.
Lunch served by NWR in English style with tea and sandwiches. Nauman
Mustafa the USA probable who missed out due to his Pilgrimage trip
opened with Majeed. MCC started with friedlander who bowled with good
pace and generated a lot of bounce which NWR players haven't faced
before. Great experience for the batsman from USA to face Quality
attack. He bowled 6 overs for 16 runs. Nauman and Majeed played
carefully to take the score to 42 in 12 overs for no loss. Bartram and
Hodson bowled well to contain but since the score was a gettable one
NWR played to a plan to execute with less errors. MCC kept attacking
from both ends and it was nice to see bowlers moving ball both ways
which is a rare scene in our leagues. These exposure can only graduate
our batsman to the next level. Bartram struck in the 13 over to get
Majid edged to second slip. Majid scored a patient 16 (34 balls).
Shantanu Divekar walks into bat on his home ground with the backing of
home support and an excellent 2009 season with tons of runs. Shantanu
and Nauman played proper cricket where MCC was expecting them to play
int eh air and then come back into the game. Shantanu got run otu
scoring 17 (47 balls) after a mix up with Nauman. Disappointed batsman
walks back after getting his eye in. In walks a talent who had done
really well in his younger days as a front line batsman. Srinivas
Joiend Nauman and ensured no further damage and They both tackled all
that was offered by MCC to reduce any hope of victory for MCC. Azaz
akhtar bowled really well for his 5 overs and gave just 9 runs away
but it was too late to come back into the game. The Target was achived
in 32.4 overs. NWR took 0.4 overs more than what the Coach had asked
the batsman during first drinks break to finish the game with a risk
free approach. Nauman walked back in grand style carrying the bat
scoring 47 NOT OUT (98 Balls) and making NWr feel proud by beating MCC
with 8 wickets in hand.
The game was played in great spirits and thanks to NWr administrators
for such a wonderful opportunity. Thanks to Santa Clara Cricket Club,
team Manager Mahendra Patel and the volunteers for the tireless job in
getting the ground ready for high level cricket.
Thanks,
Sujesh Pulikkal
