MCC on song against Argentina

MCC continued their winning streak with a serious win over the Argentine national side. This was the first game in which the tourists were in command throughout the match – the opposition never had a spell of threatening to spring a surprise result, which had been the case, albeit briefly, in the first three encounters. Nonetheless, a spirited batting display as the match drew to a close restored Argentine pride and the nation’s achievement in not losing all their wickets after tottering at 89 for 7 with the best part of 20 overs to go was a considerable one.

Overnight rain delayed the start by half an hour to 11.30, although well before the match was underway the clouds had blown away and the day was shaping up to be another scorcher, if not quite as oppressive as the efforts of the previous weekend. Mike Gatting lost his first toss in South America and was inserted by Billy MacDermott, doubtless in the hope that there was a little viciousness mixed in with the brown and green.

There may have been but it held no fears for the MCC captain who played close to imperiously from the start, dominating an opening stand of 51 with the more tranquil Mark Everett. After Gatting’s crowd-pleasing 40 ended when he chopped Ryan to short mid-wicket with massive intent, Anthony McGrath took over the dominator role with savage precision. Powerhousing his way to the tourists’ first century, he struck two sixes and 11 fours on the large Hurlingham ground, only giving the home side any remote hope when running between the wickets. Everett kept him company for almost an hour, followed by a more frisky Andy Flower, who succumbed to a combination of confused calling and the umpirical début of colleague Paul Bedford at square leg, standing in for the temporarily indisposed George Sharp (leg trouble).

When McGrath finally went to a fine catch on the ropes, Rob Hillman and Andrew Bairstow maintained much of the momentum and with each of the top six making a significant contribution, MCC sailed past 300 despite a late flurry of wickets enabling the Argentine leader to nab 5 for 40 in just 5 overs of off-spin. The flurry caused such mayhem in the dressing room that at least one MCC batsman was lucky not to have been timed out. Argentina were under the cosh but their spirit never flagged and their fielding remained sharp until the bitter end.

307 was clearly a big ask and when the accomplished Arizaga and Savage fell early to the brisk Henry Watkinson and fiery Jonny Wightman their cause looked doomed. No home batsman seemed able to master the attack, fast or slow, and for the first 30 overs, MCC kept the wickets coming with a regularity that brooked no dissent. Bairstow behind the stumps gave nothing away, emulating Pashley’s achievement in the previous match of zero byes. Donny Forrester and Billy MacDermott played accomplished innings but by then the rate was pushing 9 an over.

Rob Austin and Richard Dawson continued to display a highly satisfactory lack of generosity to opposing batsmen that had distinguished their performances in every match to date, but as MCC closed in for what should have been the kill, a strange lethargy enveloped the fielding. No names, no packdrill, but more than one catch went down with the sun not always a justifiable excuse. The captain’s expressions grew grimmer, and were then hidden under his hat, as Diego Lord, son of Dicky, led a fine counter-attack, riding his luck outrageously but deservedly salvaging a good deal of home pride. MCC were unable to take the tenth wicket and Lord completed a remarkable half-century.

Diego’s dad hosted a marvellous dinner at the Hurlingham HQ after the match which featured speeches by Lord Sr., Gatting and Rice. The evening was also enlivened by a delightful cabaret that enabled the author of the lyrics of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” to hear the song in the country that had inspired its creation for the first time. Tributes were paid by the two MCC speakers to the superb hospitality and efficiency of the ACA, to the fine cricket played by the Argentine sides, and not least to the expert local umpires and scorer.