Saturday, January 30, 2010

30 JANUARY WASHOUT


The heavy rains continue to fall, and more rained out fixtures for all three MCC teams. Hang in there boys, I'm certain the wives aint complaining!!

Friday, January 29, 2010

The New T20 Mongoose Cricket Bat





The Mongoose bat with a handle as long as the blade, MCC has approved this bat’s design. The designers claim that whole blade is sweet spot. That means even the balls hit on the tip of the bat too can easily cross the ropes. The first person to use this bat was former Australian batsman Stuart Law during a county Twenty20 match on Tuesday night.

The Sydney Morning Herald said “The Mongoose is tailor-made for the short format. With a five centimeter thick base that boasts a sweet spot twice the size of that on a traditional bat, even the pace bowler's saving grace - a Yorker - can be dispatched to the ropes.”

"The Mongoose has the potential to revolutionize cricket," said Law, who is contracted by the bat's manufacturers to show its powers. "Without changing your technique, the bat allows you to hit the ball harder and further. Its power is phenomenal. It's a weapon of mass destruction."

The ICC has no problems with that prospect because it complies with MCC law, although, looking at its design, some wonder how that could be.

The MCC found that it met all requirements under law six of regulations regarding the make-up of a bat, and they are not concerned about the possible ramifications for bowlers.

WHO WILL LAND THE PROTEAS JOB?

Following the shock resignation of Mickey Arthur on the eve of the Proteas tour to India, names are been thrown around as to who the new South African cricket coach might be.

Corrie Van Zyl takes over as caretaker coach, while the big guns at UCB are looking for a dynamic personality to take South Africa on to their first ever World Cup Victory.

A UCB spokesman said they are looking for a long term solution, someone with a good record, preferably an International who also has knowledge of local conditions.

The obvious choice would be Gary Kirsten, whose contract expires in March with the Indian National Team. However there is widespread speculation in the press that renowned cricket coach from Harare Zimbabwe , Mr Haroon Nadat, is the favourite for this powerful position. Currently with Marlboro Cricket Club SA8 team who leads the league, Haroon has vast experience where the Proteas lack, which includes working on the pitch( which helped South Africa win the 4th Test against England) and his score-writing abilities( South Africa always struggle with the Duckworth Lewis calculations!!!)

However, the biggest plus point which puts Haroon, passionately known as 'Uncle' in pole position for the job is his ability to deal with powerful captains. Mickey Arthur had some controversial and well publicised run-ins with Graham Smith, which eventually led to his resignation. Uncle having coached another powerful captain in Rashaad Rawat, knows all too well about these situations. In a recent interview with Abed in the Sandton Chronicle, Uncle is reported to have said " The only way to deal with these characters is to help them throw their toys out the box!! "

Uncles contract with MCC expires in March, when negotiations will begin at the UCB. Rumours are widespread that the salary demanded by Mr Nadat will be one of 6 figures. Baker, the son of Uncle and also his agent has been brandishing figures to the media, expressing his view that Uncle be paid One Million Zim Dollars. However, UCB policy has always been not to pay their coaches in foreign currency!

For now, there will be strong focus on SA8 to clinch the league, thus making Uncle the bookies favourite for the position.

Come on lads, continue the good work and do uncle proud!!!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

SAFWAAN YOU BEAUTY



7.5 OVERS
14 RUNS
7 WICKETS



Safwaan Salloo recorded the best ever bowling spell ever by a MCC player!! And what a spell it was. Sharing the new ball with Nasier Chariwala,(decent figures of 8 overs 2/12!!), the opening bowlers made perfect use of the overcast conditions to knock Bedfordview out for 26! Saf's pitch map read something of what Shaun Pollock used to deliver, getting great movement off the seam and squaring up the batsman continuously.A tremendous performance also in the fielding department with 3 slips and two gulleys employed for most of the innings.

Earlier MCC SA5 batting first were bowled out for 114, Moosa Patel top scoring with 32 and a lower order revival adding respectability to the score.




Good start to 2010. Azad Swaraj Sporting next on the hitlist...

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

WOZA 2010

As we dawn upon a huge spectacle for all South Africans, MCC would like to take this opportunity to wish all associated with the club, A HAPPY NEW YEAR! May you prosper at all you endeavours, and most of all may we all strive to be the best we can be.

This is a momentous year for us as well...MARLBORO CRICKET CLUB IS 25 YEARS OLD!!!

A milestone achieved by the services of many stalwarts over the years, their hard work and dedication has laid the perfect platform for a new generation to take this club from strength to strength.

In the upcoming months we will be profiling some of the legends of MCC all building up to a bumper celebration. WATCH THIS SPACE...

On the field play starts in ernest with an action packed weekend of matches. All three sides well placed to stake claims for honours,sa8 the best chance of glory leading their log. Yet no place for complacency,and loads to look forward to.