MCC | Sussex Martlets

Match Report

I’m not a religious man, but if there is a god, they know when MCC are visiting the Castle, because we were once again presented with a cricket oval bathed in sunshine, with a light breeze flying the flag atop the Castle itself. Glorious. Less glorious was some of the Martlets’ dress code interpretation, but anyway… Toss: not really a thing against MCC…more just a formality. They bat. We bat later. The weather then changed, as Storm Jordan flew in from the Park End to set the game off to a high-octane start. Ball flying, ball hooping & wobbling (mainly past me), and stumps taking a battering, also covering some airmiles themselves. Jordy was superb, hitting the stumps three times in his opening spell of five hot overs, very well supported by Darryl at the Castle end who also swung the ball with great control, picking up a wicket himself before MCC rebuilt as McDermott and the very impressive Ben Robinson, who had weathered the early Jordy storm brilliantly from his opening spot, and both passed 50 in the run-up to the lunch break. We broke for said luncheon, and what a feast it was. Roast beef followed by choices of cheesecake/Eton mess/banoffee pie/cheeseboard. Wonderful. Refuelled, Jordy whipped up the wind once again from the Park End and delivered second fiery spell, bouncing out McDermott and blowing-off Anstee’s front pad to bring him his first Arundel five-wicket-haul. 12 overs, 5 for 44; not a bad effort for a man who turned up (in shorts) not wishing to actually bowl. MCC rattled on to declare at 262-7 from 45. Despite the early loss of Matt Ritchie nursing a ballooning right ankle, Ready and Freddie Ferro set about the chase with great positivity and skill. Freddie in particular displaying wonderful timing, striking 11 boundaries, building a great 50 either side of tea. A pre-tea wobble struck, with Ready snicking off and Hector kicking a sweep to give the two offies a wicket each before we broke for tea and Arundel’s traditional array of amazing cakes. Post tea saw Storm Jordy become Storm Walker, as he capitalised on anything loose to strike 14 fours and a six before an unfortunate sending-back from Darryl saw Harry run out for a brilliant 91. Daz continued in the hunt for a Martlets win, combining in small partnerships with Laurie & Omkar and making 33 from 31 before holing out. Ryan “Hot Wheels” Trotter struck two late boundaries to keep the Martlets excited, but as overs ran out, skipper Murray saw out the last few balls to see the game out to make sure we weren’t defeated. Another great day out, wonderful hospitality, a couple of cold pints at the ‘Rabbit before the Martlets headed home. A pleasure, Gents.