MCC v Malawi Chairman's XI - match report

by Lt. Col Tim Lerwill (Tour Manager)

For the third time the MCC were hosted in elegant surroundings. The Indian Sports Club completing the introduction to the Malawi cricket heritage.

Paul Swift having ruled himself out of selection with a closed eye – the result of a dropped catch the previous day – allowed the Manager, Tim Lerwill, to play in the final game on Tour.

The MCU Chairman’s XI, captained by Manish Bader the MCU Treasurer, won the toss and elected to bat in an attempt to post a score and put the MCC batting under pressure.

Best bowling of the tour: Glen Read On an “interesting” track that played, nevertheless, benignly throughout, Glen Read produced not only his best spell of bowling but the best bowling spell of the Tour. He ripped through the early order taking 5 wickets for just 4 runs.

This, in effect, destroyed the MCU XI’s master plan though lower order resistance from Farzad, 23, ensured that there would be some total to defend – 84.

This appeared a stroll in the park for the MCC batsmen but Kunal Jogia went first ball and 3 more wickets fell for 27 runs bringing Manager and Skipper together in a rebuilding effort.

Slowly nullifying the aggressive spin of Jayesha (2 for 30) and accurate seam bowling of Jayendra Kher (2 for 24) Foster, 30, and Lerwill, 20, saw the MCC home to record the 7th win, and clean sweep, of the Tour.

The early end to the match – and the Tour – was unfortunate though it did allow lunch to be enjoyed as well as the hospitality for the British Honorary Consul in Blantyre.

Regrettably the MCU Main Committee was absent, planning to appear late in the day, so the MCU presentation to the MCC took place at the Hotel that evening with every MCC member receiving an MCU T-shirt, cap and certificate.

The MCC awards having taken place at the ground, presented the MCU with the Club Plaque.