Not the MCC v Crowhurst CC: 23 May 2009

[Video is available here.]

The game started inauspiciously as captain Muttukumaru continued his losing streak at the toss and was promptly told to “have a field”. Malcolm looked predictably unimpressed and grudgingly donned his whites. The rest of the side looked on nervously as Crowhurst’s team arrived, all looking rather more professional than Not the MCC’s own 3-man fielding practice.

Never mind though, as Beacham and Malcolm opened up with solid opening spells. Although Beacham’s metronome deserted him early on (at one point he even bowled a no-ball), some tigerish fielding from Dr Mostofi kept the batsmen guessing as to where their next run might come from. Meanwhile Malcolm was fully focussed on taking bowling tips from Hamer Boot, bowling as he was with impeccable line but variable length. This curious range of bouncers, yorkers and beamers did at least unnerve the batsmen and indeed it was Olly who struck first, trapping Cornwell leg before for 26. One suspects that this may have had something to do with the previous two balls, the first of which had been dispatched over long off for six and the second of which (after an interlude of some 5-10 minutes unsuccessfully looking for the ball) was a savage bouncer bowled from round the wicket.

Beacham then did for the other opener, strangling him down the leg side, Standage making another difficult take with minimal fuss. Cruttenden and (another) Woodhams then settled in, looking threatening and playing some fairly stylish shots. Some mild sledging from the skipper left both batsmen wondering whether a 5-year age gap really justified references to homework, crayons and colouring books. Either way, Not the MCC dug in and the openers displayed admirable stamina to bowl the first 23 overs between them, Beacham being rewarded in the last of these with the wicket of Woodhams, bowled for 27. Enter first change bowlers Mostofi and Tomlinson, both making NTMCC debuts. Mostofi, assuming the James Williams role of off-spinning all rounder, was the first to make an impact, tempting Cruttenden down the pitch. The shot went high and long, but Stanton hurried round the boundary and took an excellent catch. A catch which almost made up for a series of comedy moments when Stanton overran the ball on the boundary.

Anyway, Mostofi repeated the trick next ball, Jenner smashing the ball out to deep midwicket where Jobling’s buckets were ready and waiting. The hat-trick ball was defied but NTMCC were on a roll. Tomlinson, bowling at a brisk medium pace, tied down the new batsmen well and was rewarded with a slightly suspect caught behind, Standage again the taker. There was little doubt about the Welshman’s second wicket, Jobling pouching another catch. As the clocked ticked by towards 5pm, Mostofi struck twice more, bowling Watters for 10 and Ledsham first ball. Another hat-trick ball was kept out and the tenth wicket pair added a few runs before tea. Spud’s attempted stumping shall not be mentioned any more, suffice to say that if he’d broken the wicket a little more forcefully it might have helped. Nevertheless, fielding stars were awarded to Jobling, Stanton and Standage, with honourable mention going to Hamer Boot for heroism under fire, playing as he was with fourteen broken bones in an otherwise undamaged ankle.

As always, tea was a bit of a high point (particularly for Beacham) and the team took stock of a fine performance in the field. Regular openers Boot and Regis took to the field but Regis made a speedy exit, caught at slip first ball off a very good outswinger. Mahapatra calmed the nerves with some controlled strokes, especially impressive against the short ball. Boot was receiving compliments from the opposition for his usual dabbling outside off stump, but was undone by his regular nemesis, the straight ball. The cat really was among the pigeons now and Stanton, despite battering a good boundary early on, was dismissed with the score on 31.

Muttukumaru came on with his usual defensive mindset but was unable to hold back his natural instinct to attack. In spite of some slightly wild swings outside off stump, one of the opening bowlers was seen off in an over which went for 20. This had the distinct advantage of pushing the field back and the two Malays accumulated runs steadily against most of the bowlers. The introduction of a WG Grace lookalike and “a man who was even taller than Jobbers” failed to put them off their stride and NTMCC recorded their first 100 partnership in 20 years as the target of 149 was approached.

The captain was dismissed 4 short of the required score, playing on off bat and pad for 76. Fortunately Standage was able to stride confidently to the crease and see out the victory with Mahapatra, who finished on an excellent 44 not out.

To summarise, a really positive performance against a very decent side. Once again, we were tidy in the field. I think just a couple of dropped catches, one by Jobling on the boundary and a fairly tricky one (I’m sure you’ll agree) by Muttukumaru off Malcolm. Tomlinson and Mostofi did sterling work with the ground fielding, Stanton looked like an outstanding prospect in the outfield too. The bowling was also very sound, Malcolm again unlucky not to get more wickets, Beacham also had a few chances run through the vacant second slip area. Great starts from Mostofi and Tomlinson too, both deserved their wickets. As for the batting they took some early wickets but we’ve got good depth so can be confident when chasing any total below 200.

Club Man Points

Beacham: 1 (umpiring)

Boot: 2 (playing when injured, giving lifts)

Jobling: 2 (giving lifts twice)

Mahapatra: 0

Malcolm: 0

Mostofi Snr: 2 (umpiring throughout innings)

Regis: 2 (scoring, volunteering for batting no.1)

Standage: 2 (giving lifts twice)

Stanton: 1 (kit lease)

Tomlinson: 0

Fantasy Cricket Points

(20 for a wicket, 1 for a run, 5 for a catch, 10 for a stumping, -10 for a duck)

Regis: -10

Boot: 5

Mahapatra: 46

Stanton: 9

Muttukumaru: 76

Standage: 10

Jobling: 10

Mostofi Snr: 80

Tomlinson: 40

Malcolm: 20

Beacham: 40

Supporter Points

(cumulative totals - 1 for each innings)

1st - J Gilbert: 4

2nd - C Hemings: 3

3rd - Elise (sp?): 2

3rd - R Mott: 2