MCC in Argentina

MCC v North XI

MCC began their six-game campaign down Argentine way with a comfortable win over the North, one of two long standing Buenos Aires based sides whose rivalry goes back to 1891, the other team being, perhaps not unexpectedly, the South. The fixture took place at the well-appointed, skyscraper-adorned Belgrano Athletic Club, in scorchingly hot and sunny conditions. Belgrano AC had generously allowed MCC use of their ground and nets in the two days before this opening encounter, so Gatting’s men were familiar with the surroundings and atmosphere as their skipper began his tour well by winning the toss and choosing to bat.

David Pashley and Mark Everett played with confidence and care in assembling a useful opening partnership of 51, not ended until the 14th over, when one that kept a little lower than most sneaked past Pashley, just as he seemed ready to cut loose. Anthony McGrath also found the boundary a couple of times but he had to be content with a cameo which before long seemed like a major innings as Rob Hillman and the captain did not detain the scorers for long. The latter was perhaps unfortunate to be run out while backing up, an Everett drive careering onto the stumps via the bowler’s unsuccessful attempt at a clean piece of fielding. MCC looked two ribs short of a parrilla at 94 for 4 in the 29th.

Everett however had kept things ticking along during this mini-mayhem and his solid half-century was the platform from which the next four batsmen made hay. Andrew Bairstow struck four boundaries in a brisk 17, and although he and Everett both left at 116, the tide had turned. Richard Dawson made a colourful 61, including 3 huge sixes tactlessly blasted off the Argentinian Cricket Association’s ICC Regional Officer, Grant Dugmore (the North’s eighth bowler used). Henry Watkinson gave good support with a perky 21 and Richard McCarthy ditto with a brutal 21, only dismissed by a terrific one-handed catch on the ropes by the ACA’s CEO, Gary Savage.

The North got off to a dreadful start against the extremely lively opening attack of tour 'babe' Jonny Wightman and McCarthy, MCC’s Yorkshire Aussie. McCarthy began with two mean wicket maidens, one featuring a snappy slip catch by Dawson. Wightman was more than sharp and, once his radar was adjusted, rattled off three LBWs in seven balls. 21 for 5 was a less than telling riposte to 227, but a fine recovery followed, almost fine enough for the North to entertain fleeting hopes of a staggering victory.

Andy Perez de Rivero scored a magnificent 64 in just over an hour, adding 111 with former first-class Kiwi Hamish Barton who wisely adopted a more introspective role.
Perez de Rivero hit six sixes and five fours in 14 overs, obviously hoping to win the match before the opening bowlers had recovered from their initial efforts in the searing heat. He never mastered the nagging Dawson, but it was the introduction of Rob Austin into the attack that did for him, and indeed for the rest of the line-up.

Craftily bowling straight, and obtaining some turn, Austin lured PdeV into self-destruction and then mesmerised the rest with accurate leg-spin. The immovable Barton could only watch as the tail went for a Burton, two more LBWs were added to the arbiters’ tally, and Austin finished with an outstanding 5 for 25, doubtless causing dancing in the streets of Norfolk villages once he had called home.