FIRST BLOOD TO THE MCC
MCC started their tour of Spain with an easy victory against the Spanish National side at La Manga. Spain won the toss and elected to field. Spain got off to a cracking start and had both openers back in the pavillion with only 10 runs on the board. The arrival of Sharma to the crease turned things back in favour of the tourists however and with the support of Davis the visitors moved comfortably to 79 before Christian Munoz bowled the later for 26.
Next in the batting line up for the MCC was captain Folland, who along with Sharma, set about punishing the Spanish bowling attack. Both played with ease, and the class of these two batsmen was proving a tough test for the home sides bowlers. Sharma, the current Oxford Universities captain, who was born in Auckland, New Zealand was particularly savage on the bowlers and scored exactly a century before being caught behind off Mahmood late in the innings.
Folland went on to make a well crafted 85, and at the end the spectators were treated to a nice little cameo innings by Andrew Clarke, who scored 17 not out, as the tourists finished their 50 overs with 275 runs on the board for the loss of eight wickets.
Tanveer Iqbal was the pick of the Spanish bowlers, ending up with figures of 4-44 off his 10 overs, and a special mention should go to Christian Munoz, who after a wayward start, finished with figures of 1-35 off 6 overs.
Spain´s repost started in terrible fashion with captain Spencer run out without trouble the scorers with the total on 3. Things got worse when Tariq Ali was trapped leg before on the same score and when Morgan went caught behind of the bowling of Thewlis for 2, Spain were reeling at 8 for 3.
Gurmeet Singh and Gary Crompton steadied the ship and played solidly for 36 and 22 respectively, but with their demise, and the quick dismissals of Shoaib and Khan, Spain were again floundering at 85 for 7.
Christian Munoz and Tariq Iqbal cemented their personal performances by putting on 63 for the 8th wicket, but by this time the game was effectively lost and the MCC ended up winners by 109 runs as the hosts finished up 166 all out.
Christian Munoz Mills in action against the MCC – October 2010