UCCE in SA blog - 30 March

by Garri Jones, Tour Manager

After one rest day post their 2-1 defeat to SASSU (SA universities) MCCU returned to Stellenbosch Wineries cricket ground to take on SASSU in a 3 day test, the final game of the tour.

MCCU left out Young, Harinath and Choudry, who was still injured, and anticipated leaving out the injured Williams.

Backing out: Brathwaite injured himself in the warm-up However, during the warm-up Brathwaite pulled up with a back strain and the MCCU were looking likely to be playing a Test without both their opening bowlers and their left arm spinner.

But making a dramatic late entrance, that his namesake would be proud of, Robbie Williams borrowed someone's boots and joined the warm-up.

It was the morale booster that the MCCU needed and on losing the toss both SASSU openers were dismissed for ducks by Williams and Foster.

Foster then proceeded to bowl himself into the ground as SASSU looked to grind out a first innings total. Foster finished with 5-41 off 22 overs as SASSU declared after the maximum allowable 85 overs on exactly 200.

The pitch took spin from the outset and McMahon and Spriegel bowled 50 overs in total.

MCCU finished on 30-2 overnight with Smith unfortunate to be given out in the last over of the day.

The following morning

Captains of industry: Skipper and vice-captain Paul McMahon and Matthew Spriegel The next morning belonged to MCCU as captain and night-watchman McMahon and vice-captain Spriegel put on an unbeaten 100 before lunch with both getting 50s.

The next two sessions then belonged to SASSU who bowled very straight and the MCCU middle order struggled to accelerate.

MCCU declared after their 85 overs on 234-8 with the overs and wickets being shared by all MCCU bowlers.

SASSU batted well that evening and the next day declaring on 250 - 8 after 90 overs and leaving the MCCU around 53 overs to chase 214 for victory.

After losing two wickets, Spriegel and Bradshaw put on 50 and briefly victory looked possible with 150 needed off the last 25 overs.

Three quick wickets later and it was the South Africans who briefly sniffed victory, but King and Butler never looked troubled and the match was called a draw with neither captain enforcing the final 30 minutes.

Overall, it has been an excellent pre season tour for some of the best players at the six MCC UCCEs. The South Africans were in good form at the end of their season and competed very strongly.

Without critical injuries and with a bit more form in the middle order MCCU could have won the one day series and maybe even the three day Test. As it was a narrow series loss and a drawn Test is a very creditable performance.