Surprising victory for MCCU

9 August 2010

The start of the third and final day saw a flurry of activity with the MCCU declaring overnight at 71 for 6 hoping to squeeze in a second innings and secure a result at the close of play. Middlesex, confident of their fielding ability after their performance in the third session the day before, batted for only four overs making a quick 45 to give the Universities a total of 351 to chase down in 90 overs. Middlesex however hadn’t bargained on a captain’s innings from Oxford MCCU’s Jak Martin and the customary Fenner’s flat batting track.

Dan Bendon is crowded by Middlesex

The universities started well, compared to their collapse of the day before. Ryan Bishop (26) looked strong until his off stump was knocked cart-wheeling out of the ground by Tom Parsons. This brought captain Martin to the crease with the Universities at 39 for 1. A well-timed bowling change from the Pavilion End saw Gurjit Sandhu dismiss opener Luc Durant for 21 to leave the MCCU side on 51 for 2 off 19 overs. Could it be another bowling domination from Middlesex?

Tom Smith (Smudger) stepped up from the Indoor School end and a short square leg was placed under the lid to put the pressure on Martin and Daniel Bendon. Bendon’s nerves got the better of him and he mistimed a shot straight to Patel at mid wicket who took an amazingly casual catch to dismiss him for 17.

Tucking into bangers and mash at lunch Martin was optimistic despite stating that he ‘couldn’t hit it off the square!’ His team mates were hopeful with their captain and Duncan Bradshaw at the crease, the latter with several half-centuries under his belt, they could salvage the match. The two Oxford MCCU boys batted well after lunch despite bowling and fielding changes from Middlesex. After a small break for rain the Universities were 203 for 3 with Martin on 80 and Bradshaw with 45.

Despite the threat of more rain the umpires headed back out. With 64 overs left until the end of the day there was all to play for. Martin signaled his intentions of victory with a perfect cover drive to reach his century. As fortune turned against Middlesex and heads dropped it was clear that they were regretting their confident declaration.

The MCCU cricketers watch as their batsman chase down the Middlesex total

When rain stopped play again the Universities needed only 94 runs to win off 19 overs. The sky above Fenner’s was ominous to say the least however the clouds eventually parted and play continued. In a fantastic closing session the Universities turned fortune well and truly against the county second XI and won comfortably by four wickets.

Ellie Fielding