UCCE in SA blog - 24 March

by Garri Jones, Tour Manager

After a narrow defeat on Easter Saturday in the first one day international, MCCU travelled to Stellanbosch for the second one day international.

Shaak Chaudry had picked up a side strain and so Nick Lee played as an extra batsman with Simon Butler coming in for Chris Smith.

MCCU were put in on a slightly dewy wicket and got off to a good start with Richard King promoted to open in a semi pinch-hitting role. Richard scored 61 but yet again MCCU’s middle order failed and were 100 - 5 after 30 overs with the SASU spinners getting on top.

However Butler, Young and Lee ran like cheetahs and helped MCCU to 193 off 45 overs a par score and probably 20 more than SASU wanted to chase.

Despite losing an early wicket SASU looked in control as the heat took its toll on the MCCU bowling. With 15 overs left SASU needed 50 to win with 7 wickets in hand.

A combination of never-say-die fielding and a tight spell of off spin from Matthew Spriegel saw SA then score 10 runs in 9 overs for 5 wickets leaving them needing 30 to win off the last 5 overs with 2 wickets left.

Nail-biting finish

McMahon returned to apply further pressure and the SASU final pair were left needing 5 off the final over bowled by Patrick Foster.

With 3 balls to go a lofted swirling cover drive was pouched by Nick Lee on the cover boundary and MCCU had pulled off a very unlikely victory.

All is well placed for the deciding one day international on the same ground.