MCC V Kenya U19s match two Match Report

by Steve Salisbury (Tour Manager)

MCC recover to record a final tour win

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  The final game of this wonderful tour was played today at the now familiar Kyambogo Oval, Kampala against the Kenyan U19s. MCC won the toss and inserted Kenya in humid conditions.

As has proved to be the case, the bat was regularly beaten early on but wickets proved much more difficult to come by as the Kenyans, now well rested, provided far sterner resistance than yesterday.

Five of the Kenyan batsmen reached double figures without going on to make the big score required. Scoring has always been difficult here and today was no exception.

Kenya’s Harshil Sanghani and Shem Obado, and a late flourish from Dominic Wesonga, proved difficult to remove as the innings progressed to a very competitive 197 all out in the penultimate over.

The MCC spinners were once more the pick of the bowlers with Middlesex’s Chris Peploe (3-36), and David Adams (3-20), posing problems with a combination of teasing flight and some turn.

Perilous position

Captain's innings: Jamie Dalrymple MCC’s reply was soon a matter for concern as three of the top order were removed in very short order in a devastating opening spell by Elijah Otieno (1-32) and Nelson Odhiambo (2-17).

At a perilous looking 15 for 3, David Adams (39) joined Glamorgan’s Jamie Dalrymple (84*) at the crease for a scintillating display of counter attacking on a pitch of fiercely indifferent bounce, sharing a partnership of 94.

MCC captain Dalrymple played the consummate captain’s innings, steering the middle order of Will Howard (20) and Nottinghamshire’s Bilal Shafayat (31*) to a five wicket victory with five overs to spare.

The final 50 runs came amid a flurry of classical and stylish strokes to end the playing leg of this incredibly enjoyable and rewarding tour.

The cricket continued at the end of the fixture as the Ugandan ladies team participated in a final coaching session, before the festivities of our kind Ugandan hosts’ reception began.