MCC enjoys Presidential sweet victory

MCC made it three wins out of three after an intriguing 40-over tussle against an XI summoned by the engaging and hospitable President of the Argentine Cricket Association, Dickie Lord, a man who combines laconic Latin charm with a flavour of Graham Greene. Both characteristics are admirably suited to the background of the magnificent Hurlingham Club, an hour or so out of Buenos Aires.

In this final warm-up match before the three-match series against Argentina, MCC were hampered by the blow of simultaneously losing two members of their fast bowling armoury, Wightman and Watkinson, to swollen ankles and sunstroke respectively. As the tour party consisted of thirteen players, the side picked itself, although the captain made the worrying suggestion that the manager could be drafted in, a proposal strongly resisted by the tour party’s hitherto calm and collected leader.

As it was, the manager had to face an apparently traditional first delivery from Dickie Lord which enabled him to execute a neat leg glance before the match proper began. An apple was destroyed in this encounter.

In conditions that were almost cool, with a breeze shuffling across the beautiful parkland and a constant threat of rain (which never quite materialised), Mike Gatting won the toss for the third consecutive time and elected to bat. Short of runs through (almost) no fault of his own, he opened himself with Mark Everett and soon began stroking the ball with confidence, despite being bowled by a beautifully in-dipping no ball from Casime. Having made 21 out of 31 for the first wicket he succumbed to Gary Savage and a minor collapse followed. Fortunately, another man who needed a few under his belt, Rob Hillman, steadied the ship and the low point of 53 for 4 was soon left far behind as Hillman and Andy Flower took control. The President’s XI bowling was sharp and accurate; the fielding was of a notably high standard. Slower bowlers moved in.

Hillman looked set for a serious score but his potentially imperious innings came to an unexpected end via a truly superb catch at mid-wicket from British Embassy official David Prodger, diving full stretch to take a scorching drive two-handed. Anthony McGrath twice tested Flower’s turning circle with powerful drives that broke the bowler’s wicket via fingertips and on the second occasion succeeded in catching his colleague out of his ground; another possible major innings cut off in its prime.

At 129 for 6, with just under eight overs remaining, McGrath had the responsibility of keeping the show on the road for the final charge which he did admirably, only running out one more partner en route. Rob Austin made a tidy first appearance at the crease. MCC closed at 179 for 8.

After lunch, a new opening combo (the third so far) of Macs, Carthy and Grath, launched themselves into the President’s first two batsmen, one of whom was his son. Neither batsman made much sense of a fully recovered and fiery McCarthy, but Diego Lord survived bravely. The appearance of Hamish Barton threatened to put Dickie’s side into pole position but, after one massive six into the stands and several other powerful blows, he holed out to Austin in the covers.

Having done all the hard work in seeing off the fast men, Lord junior was more than upset with himself at falling to a snappy catch from top tour slipper Dawson in MCC’s first slower over, courtesy Flower. Gary Savage and skipper Grant Dugmore, however, dug in well and, after a bowling cameo from MCC’s captain, settled down to a fascinating battle with Dawson’s off-spin and later Austin’s leggies. The batsmen proceeded well and after 26 overs were comfortably placed at 109 for 3. MCC fielding, it must be said, was not always quite of the high standard set by their opponents earlier.

Dawson however at last received the rewards his bowling on this tour has deserved. Having to force the pace, the dangerous Dugmore holed out in the outback and Savage a little later in the covers (Austin again). MCC began to look much sharper as Dawson weaved his magic. He was unable to prevent wicket-glut Austin from snaffling a couple, but his final figures of 5 for 20 were a match-winning effort. MCC will look forward the imminent series with Argentina with confidence, as long as their full attack returns to fitness.