Reading School 1st XI v MCC
On 21st June, Reading School 1st XI took on the MCC in an annual day match. With 35°C weather and support from the terrace, the anticipation could not have been higher.
On 21st June, Reading School 1st XI took on the MCC in an annual day match. With 35°C weather and support from the terrace, the anticipation could not have been higher.
With the MCC batting first, it was up to Reading School First XI to limit their runs. In the searing heat, it was a big ask for the Reading School boys. Despite the difficult conditions, they put up a valiant display of bowling and fielding, limiting the visitors to a score of 135-5 by lunch. After 39 overs, a further three wickets had been taken and the MCC were restricted to a score of 187-8, heading for a final score of below 200. However, a determined and excellent tail ending partnership between R. Harris and W. Herrington saw the MCC declare at 248-8 after 46 overs. Mark Cobb and Adit Rajeev both picked up one wicket each but the pick of the bowlers was Umar Asghar who ended the day with superb figures of 6-41 off 13 overs.
After the MCC declared Reading School’s First XI faced a difficult fifty minute session before the tea break. The First XI lost opener Ragan Jain early to bowler W.Rooney who bowled an excellent spell of fast bowling. However, Reading batsmen Joe Wilson and Josh Wallace showed determination in facing the opening bowlers to score 10 and 16 respectively as Reading School went into the tea break at 30-4 after 15 overs.
After the break, the Reading School batsmen came out and batted with a positive intent and batsman Arjun Mathur hit some good shots as he top scored with 21. However, wickets fell often to the left arm spin of A.Dewes and J.Dewes who took 4 wickets each. The accurate bowling attack was backed up well by an attacking fielding unit that made no mistakes and Reading School were eventually bowled out for 87.
Despite the disappointing result the 1st XI gave a good account of themselves against the strongest opposition they will face all year. The game was a fantastic experience for all and with the whole team back next year it will be brilliant to face them again and see the improvement.