Game Report - April 26, 2008
MCC verses NWCC
Team
Shuaib Muhammad (Captain)
Zafar Khan (Vice Captain)
Mohit Patel
Jay Kamani
Roshan Bellavara
Roberto Anitori
Mick Lewis
Alok Sharan
Nish Paresh
Paresh Darwhal
Lance Brooks
Match details
Welcome to another season of exciting cricket, and MCC opened its season Saturday against the Northwest Cricket Club (NWCC), formerly known as Gresham Cricket Club. After some pre-game preparations of the field, MCC was invited to bat by the opposing team after losing the toss. That seemed to be the only thing that went wrong for MCC for a while, coasting to 50 for no loss in 7 overs. Nish fell first being caught at gully by a blinder. Lance and Zafar continued to build on the start provided and the scorers were scampering to keep up with the multitude of boundaries and sixes being hit by Zafar. After 11 overs, with the score reading 102 for 1, MCC lost Lance to an unfortunate run-out. From there started a parade of batsmen walking in and out leaving MCC finishing the innings at 144 for 9 in 20 overs. The last 9 overs saw MCC score 42 runs and lose 8 wickets, but with a slow outfield and team full of wily bowlers and a new youth policy, that was always going to be a tough target.
NWCC started cautiously against Paresh, but Roberto Anitori (making a comeback in an MCC jersey) struck with his first ball. After some initial jitters, the NWCC bats rotated strike till Roberto bowled a beauty to induce a edge that was snapped up at slip by an alert Zafar (cleverly placed there by the captain... in his words). A clever bowling change with spin from both ends by Zafar and Nish saw MCC pick up its act and the parade roles reversed. It was now the NWCC batsmen that walked in and were completely foxed by the wily old fox, Nish and Zafar who was having a "ball" with his bowling. By the time they finished their 4 over spells, they had picked up 3 wickets each and had NWCC requiring 51 runs with one wicket remaining. With the last wicket picked up by Paresh, MCC started off its 2008 season with a win. MCC vice-captain Zafar Khan was voted Man of the Match for his brilliant 62 and the three wickets.
Thank you to Ellen once again for coming down and supporting the club and for every thing she does. Next week, MCC has a game against PCC and even if you are not in the team, please come out and support the boys if you can. Till next week then...