UCCE in SA blog - 20 March

by Garri Jones, Tour Manager

The MCCU played a combined Western Province Universities and University of Cape Town side yesterday at the magnificent venue of Newlands in their final warm up game before the one day series against South African Universities.

Both teams played a super sub with MCCU fielding both keepers with only Paul Dixey batting.

On winning the toss, the MCCU batted and were off to a fine start with Simon Butler hitting the second ball, a free hit after a no ball, for a straight six.

Yet again, despite getting starts, the top order could not convert with Duncan Bradshaw the only MCCU player to reach 50.

MCCU reached 191 all out in the 49th over, fearing that they were probably 40 runs short of a competitive total.

Diving catch

Again the innings started well for MCCU with Pratt diving to his right to take an outstanding catch off Braithwaite’s first over.

MCCU fielded and bowled well but the South Africans showed that they were experienced one day players with some clean hitting and smart running.

Opener, Bennett scored an unbeaten 70 and the MCCU lost by 5 wickets with 8 overs to spare.