MCC v MCU Development XI - match report

by Lt. Col Tim Lerwill (Tour Manager)

The Limbe Country Club is a throw back to the colonial life; elegant clubhouse amid tennis, golf, winter sports pitches and a verandah overlooking a large cricket ground and, while the outfield doubles up for soccer and hockey, the square looked firm, green and well cared for.

And there it was that skipper Michael Foster, tossed up, won and elected to bat.

Early overs suggested that this was a better track than encountered in Tanzania and though Kunal Jogia departed early yet again, Alan Gofton, 35, and Tim Percival, 62, put the MCC innings on course for the first good score of the Tour.

Though wickets fell at regular intervals, an enthusiastic flurry of aggressive strokes by Glen Read, 25, saw the MCC reach 233 off the allotted 45 overs.

Lively bowling: Glen Read The MCU Development XI lost their first wicket before scoring and numbers 2 and 3 looked decidedly apprehensive in the face of some accurate fast bowling from Glen Read and Luke Vinter, 3 for 20, but dug in and began to make a response: Boppy, an elegant left hander, went on to top score with 28.

However, MCU wickets fell to injudicious shots at inopportune moments but not before demonstrating some potential with the bat and could only reach 116 before losing their last wicket, leaving MCC comfortable winners by 120 runs.

Henry, a lively seamer, who bowled a sustained spell of accurate and intelligent medium pace and middle order bat whose 23 was as exciting as it was adventurous, was awarded Man of the Match.

The MCU Development XI consisted of seven Africans and four Asians all of whom had been coached from scratch through schools and clubs.

That they ultimately fell a long way short can be attributed to a lack of regular competitive cricket beyond the domestic leagues: they have not been tested and asked to explore capabilities beyond the comfort zone.

This is a great pity as there is evidence of burgeoning potential and talent – something that will be analysed in greater detail in the Post Tour Report.