MCCU vs. Gloucestershire 2nd XI - Match Report

18 August 2010

The second day of the 2nd XI county championship match between Gloucestershire and the MCC Universities started under clear skies. After the first day had been played grey and cool conditions.

Gloucestershire resumed their first innings at 131 for seven. Pete Turnbull from Cambridge continued his good form with three wickets. This was after the MCCU had been dismissed for 210. The Gloucestershire bowlers had the students in trouble at 102 for six. MCCU had Craig Park (Cambridge) to thank for getting them past 200, as he made 65.

On the second morning the ball has ceased to move as much as it had done on the first day. Gloucestershire batted well for the first hour with ex-Cambridge MCCU graduate Vikram Banerjee making 45. Soon after the Leeds leg spinner Tom Craddock was introduced into the bowling attack he picked up two wickets and finished with the very respectable figures of two wickets for 17 runs from ten overs. Craddock displayed great control of line and length, and was well rewarded for his patience.

The MCCU second innings started badly as Ryan Bishop (Cardiff) was caught and bowled from the first ball as he tried to turn a ball towards the leg side and it took a leading edge. Captain Jak Martin batted purposefully for 21 before an uncharacteristic swipe across the line led to him being bowled.

Just after lunch on day two, MCCU had scored 47 for the loss of two wickets. A lead of 73.

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MCCU continued to loss wickets steadily during the afternoon. Only Akbar Ansari (Cambridge) went past 50. His 54 not out came from 78 deliveries in 97 minutes.

MCC were eventually dismissed for 225, leaving Gloucestershire requiring 252 to win the match in the 18 remaining overs of day two and all of day three.

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Resuming their second innings on the third morning at 62 for 0, Gloucestershire would be hoping to consolidate their position before pushing on to get the 190 runs required for victory.

The MCCU opened up with Pete Turnbull and left-arm spinner Alex Welsh (Loughborough). The pitch offered some turn for Welsh, but it was Turnbull who made the breakthrough when he trapped Gegg LBW for 49.

The county made steady progress throughout the morning losing two more wickets including a good run out by Craig Park from extra cover. At lunch Gloucestershire were 149 for three. Shortly after the break leg spinner Tom Craddock (Leeds) bowled Banerjee for 37. This left the county on the score of 163 for four. If the students could have picked up another quick couple of wickets, then the game may have become interesting. It wasn’t to be however as the Gloucestershire batsman batted with purpose as the threat of rain loomed.

The county eventually made the required 252 runs just before the three O’clock with the loss of one further wicket. Credit must go to Alex Welsh who bowled unchanged for the last day. His eventual figures were two wickets for 89 runs from 30 overs. This included ten maidens. Welsh was well supported by Craddock who took one for 49 from 17 overs. Unfortunately Craddock had to visit the physio towards the end of his spell with a swollen ankle. This will be a concern for coach Clive Radley with the final game of the MCCU season due to start at Milfield School against Somerset next Tuesday (24th August).

MCCU vs. Gloucestershire 2nd XI, 17th-19th August 2010 (1.7 MB)

MCC Staff.