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MCC v International XI, Lord's MCC complete comprehensive win June 14, 2005
International XI 327 for 7 (Kallis 62, Fleming 62, A Flower 55) beat MCC 215 (Smith 68, Lara 42) by 112 runs
Brian Lara and Graeme Smith lit up Lord's with some thrilling stroke play, adding 75 in just 8.1 overs as the asking rate was kept within reach, but once they both departed the rest of the International XI fell in something of a rush. Anil Kumble removed three key batsmen, including Lara as he got a leading edge that was comfortably taken at short third-man by Shoaib Akhtar (141 for 3). Lara faced 27 balls, hitting five fours and six - a stunning check-drive off Kumble - to all corners of Lord's. He received a standing ovation as he returned to the pavilion, a rare sight for an innings of 42 - but it was special while it lasted. Smith was no slouch at the other end, but was left in the shade by Lara's onslaught. He had an entertaining battle with Akhtar, who refused to give an inch and hit 95mph during his opening spell. But Smith, returning to the ground where he made 259 against England in 2003, punched and drove with confidence, reaching his half-century from 39 balls. Kumble struck back again for MCC when he drew Smith down the pitch and Kumar Sangakkara produced a swift bit of wicketkeeping (168 for 4). Kumble was using all his international experience and the contest between him and top quality batsmen gave the second half of this match an edge. Harbhajan Singh then got into the wicket taking act when he managed to squeeze a ball behind the legs of Shivnarine Chanderpaul (171 for 5). He then had Chris Cairns stumped, to remove the last realistic chance of the International XI reaching their target. There was a brief, mini, battle between Harbhajan and Shane Warne but Gayle wrapped up the tail, taking 3 for 28, with 15 overs to spare. But at least the crowd had been able to enjoy the stand between Lara and Smith, which enabled the International XI to recover from the early loss of Virendar Sehwag, trapped lbw by a ball that nipped backed from Shaun Pollock (10 for 1). Sanath Jayasuriya located the boundary with some powerful off-side shots, but found deep mid-wicket in Kumble's first over (66 for 2), as the gamble of using a spinner within the first fifteen overs worked. Jacques Kallis received some tough treatment - three overs costing 33 - as Smith showed that familiarity can breed contempt. But Kallis had earlier starred with the bat as MCC piled up 327 for 7.
Kallis made 62, the equal top score as Lara, leading the International XI, gave ten of his team - including himself - a bowl as the charity element of this match extended to the field. MCC's middle-order all contributed useful runs, with Andy Flower making 55 from 39 balls, as he and Kumar Sangakkara added 84 in 9.2 overs to lift the total past 300. Warne - like his Australian team mates last night - came in for some harsh treatment, conceding 64 runs from his eight overs as Flower showed his usual collections of sweeps, nurdles and the occasional bludgeon. VVS Laxman, who has tormented Warne in Test cricket, used his wrists to good effect as he moved along at a run-a-ball before edging an attempted glide (220 for 5). MCC were given a solid platform as Stephen Fleming, their captain for the day, stroked an attractive 59-ball 62. Chaminda Vaas trapped Chris Gayle lbw in the fifth over when he played around a ball that didn't quite bounce as high as Gayle was expecting (14 for 1). But Fleming's offside stroke play was in top working order as he took advantage of some juicy half-volleys from Sami. Sourav Ganguly also unfurled his trademark, thumping, cover-drive but fell to Vaas, when he tried to cut a ball that was too close to his body (52 for 2). Fleming reached his half-century from 46 balls, including a loft square cut which sailed over backward point for six. It was a similar shot that brought his dismissal when he uppercut Chris Cairns to third-man (114 for 3). A team mate against a team mate was one of the novel aspects of the day and everything was done with a smile of the player's faces. But this game was not really about the cricket and it was certainly played in the right spirit and, following from the first tsunami relief match in Melbourne, showed how cricket can come together to play a small part helping out those who suffered in a huge tragedy. Andrew McGlashan is editorial assistant of Cricinfo © Cricinfo
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Stories MCC raise £650,000 for tsunami projects Matches Marylebone Cricket Club v International XI at Lord's Players/Umpires Teams |
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