M.C.C. Vs E.C.A.D.
Lords Nursery Ground – 21st June 2008 ( Friendly match)
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E.C.A.D. responded to their host’s kind invitation to play at the ‘Home of Cricket’ by handing out a convincing five wicket drubbing with more than 7 overs to spare.
M.C.C. won the toss and decided to take first knock on a cloudy day with a blustery wind. The openers started slowly against the pace attack of Farooq Mohammad and Darrell Sykes and had reached 44 when Sykes sent Jones’ off stump cart wheeling to the obvious delight of the enthusiastic crowd. A second wicket fell soon after when a smart throw by Stephen George saw Knightley run out as 44-0 became 46-2. Claypole came to the wicket and was immediately more aggressive and this seemed to inspire Wycherley, who started to find the boundary at regular intervals. Claypole played one forcing shot too many and was well caught to his left by Umesh Valjee for 29 and as previously one wicket brought two as Home was run out by Nigel Davenport. Wycherley reached a well deserved half century but was out immediately after caught by Mike O’Mahony, off Nigel Davenport for 51. Lerwill and While consolidated the position, with While despatching the bad ball with some power until Lerwill departed at 149-6 giving Valjee a second catch but his dismissal saw the momentum of the innings change dramatically as Wright took total control hitting five huge sixes in a 19 ball half century. While trying to keep pace with Wright perished to a magnificent one handed catch on the long-off boundary by Matt Everett. He had made 34. Wright (51) perished after hitting the first two balls of Pichowski’s over for six to bring up his half century. Trying for another he gave Everett a simple chance in the same position. Thewlis saw the innings out batting sensibly with Bulpitt first and then Corbett to bat out the overs. Thewlis finishing unbeaten on 22 as the innings closed on 258-9.
After a superb lunch, the E.C.A.D. openers, Umesh Valjee and Chris Hughes, set about establishing a platform. Hughes was the more dominant partner finding the cover boundary with some regularity. Together they added 75 with some good running between the wickets before Valjee (22) fell leg before to Wright. Matt Everett’s stay was brief before he too fell leg before to Bulpitt. This brought Mike O’Mahony to the crease and the two batsmen moved the total past the 100 mark. Hughes reached his half century before being bowled by Corbett attempting one ambitious shot too many, but his 59 had set a good base for the later batsmen to increase the scoring rate. Andy Wood fell to a juggling catch close in by While but O’Mahony continued serenely on finding the boundary at ease. His half century reached, he fell lbw to Corbett but at 150-5 in the 30th over the base for the final assault had been established and Ben Young and Nigel Davenport took full advantage of the position they found themselves in. Davenport peppered the boundary in a 41 ball 58 whilst Young was not far behind with a 54 ball 48. They raced the visitors home with plenty of overs to spare to record a five wicket victory.