MCC v Argentina (match two) - match report

by Christian Tunon & Paul Bedford (Tour Manager)

In another thrilling match played at Belgrano, MCC won by a margin of 15 runs to take the Baimax Cup series 2-0.

Played on another spectacular day in Buenos Aires and on a great pitch the second game in the three match series was another excellent game of cricket.

The Argentine side was made up entirely of local players which is testament to the work being carried out by the development team and the benefit touring sides can bring.

For the third time in a row the MCC team batted first and they got off to a swift start with opening batsman Paul Bedford scoring a quick-fire 50 off 50 balls and Richard King scoring 32.

The Argentine bowlers finally made a break through with the score on 91 and managed to slow the scoring rate.

Peter Trego displayed a wide variety of scoring shots in his sparkling 49 but honours and push for a competitive total went to Rob Walker 54 and Guy Bulpitt 35 not out.

Brooksbank and Mottram both went for nought following the dismissal of Walker but Bulpitt managed to finish the innings with a boundary moving the score to 268.

Run chase

The Argentine bowlers toiled throughout the innings with Diego Lord taking 2 for 65, Billy MacDermott 3 for 48 and Donny Forrester 2 for 37.

The Argentine XI’s run chase was dominated by a spectacular knock by veteran Argentine batsman Donny Forrester.

A beautiful day and a great pitch for cricket at Belgrano in Buenos Aries

Donny, playing on his home ground, took it to the MCC bowlers scoring 86 off 93 balls.

Forrester’s innings combined with some useful contributions from C. Gibson 33, M. Paterlini 25, and D. Lord 29 gave Argentina a sniff of victory but they were probably one batsman short and failed to convert from a position of strength when requiring 24 from five overs with three wickets in hand.

Mottram bowled with good accuracy under pressure but the runs kept leaking.

A good catch by George from Bulpitt ended the innings of Forrester and the home side finally fell 15 runs short of MCC’s total.

The best of the MCC bowlers were once again Brooksbank 2 for 36 and Bulpitt 4 for 22.