SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011 (Including the 2009-2010 Review

100. The men’s 3-day encounter
was a higher-scoring affair. The
MCC, batting first, amassed 380
runs on the first day, with ex-
Academy player Eddie Ballard
making a career-best 190. On the
second day, an excellent
partnership between captain
Ansari (128*) and keeper Kennedy
(46) allowed the Blues to declare
50 runs short and invite the MCC
to make a game of it on the final
day. This they duly did and, after a
ponderous start, they set 352 in
just over two sessions. A solid
base was established by openers
Timms and Ashok, who dominated
the seamers before lunch.
However, with their demise shortly
afterwards, and the MCC’s
introduction of two talented
spinners the Blues run-rate
dwindled, reaching 160-4 at just
4 runs per over. However, in a
thrilling final hour, Ansari proved
what a devastating threat he can
be, blasting his second unbeaten
century of the game (110*) to
bring his side home with just
minutes to spare.
MCCU – Combined Academy Side
From September 2009 to March
2010 the squad worked hard on
their physical shape as well as
technical skills ensuring that the
Cambridge MCCU entered the
2010 season with a clean bill of
health knowing, as always, it
would be an important season to
justify the MCC backing of the
scheme.We welcomed new faces
in to the squad but realised that
we had to play to our full potential
to compete in all of our
competitions. Many thanks go to
Nick Lee for his skill and hard work
co-ordinating and running the
strength and conditioning
programme, which also bonded
the group.
Due to a very early start to our
fixture programme pre season
friendlies began in late March and
included matches versus Essex 2’s,
Northants 2’s, Derbyshire 2’s and
MCC’YC’s
First Class Games
vs. Surrey April 3rd-5th
After a delayed start Cambridge
MCCU won the toss and elected to
field first. Pete Turnbull bowled
exceptionally well to reduce
Surrey to 28-2 and at one time
were 183-5, however Steve Davies
on his Surrey debut batted very
well and Surrey finished on 366-7.
Turnbull finished with figures of
5-92 off his 30 overs. Cambridge
batted steadily throughout but
only Adam Wheater made a halfcentury
(52), Jivan Lotay was
unbeaten on 34.The game ended
quietly as a draw, but, on what was
an excellent wicket for the time of
year, Surrey was well satisfied with
their early season workout.
vs. Leicestershire April 21st-23rd
Again Cambridge MCCU fielded
first, and, after a good mornings
work Leicestershire were reduced
to 47-3 with more good bowling
from Woolley and Turnbull. Ex
Granta player Du Toit rescued
Leicestershire and, after surviving
an early chance, he made 154 to
help his team to 411-7 dec.
Cambridge replied with a slightly
disappointing 199a/o with
Wheater, again, making a half
century along with Woolley 55no
and Lee 39.The game ended in a
draw but in Cambridge’s 2nd
innings Ben Ackland made a solid
51no on debut and Steve Gray was
undefeated on 35
vs. Sussex May 12th-14th
Once again Cambridge fielded
first and once again made early
inroads but failed to capitalise.
At one stage Sussex were 43-4, but
international batsman Joyce
scored a lovely 100 to enable
Sussex to declare on 277-5.
Cambridge were indebted to Craig
Park who made 72 out of 181 a/o.
In the second innings Cambridge
were set 350 to win, but, although
batting well, were all out for 265
with Lee making 63 in his last
first class appearance for
Cambridge, as well as good
contributions from Ackland,
Hughes, Woolley and Gray.
In all 3 first class games Cambridge
provided credible and competitive
opposition for the county sides.
Once again they were given first
class pitches and practice facilities
at Fenners and the coaches of all 3
sides spoke positively of their
experience.The new ball bowling
for Cambridge of Turnbull and
Woolley got early breakthroughs
in all 3 games and most of the
batting contributed at different
times without anyone capitalising
and making 3 figures to put
themselves in the shop window.
MCC Universities 2 Day
Competition
In what became a hugely
frustrating campaign Cambridge
began very impressively with a
comfortable win versus a strong
Bradford /Leeds side and an
equally comfortable draw against
Oxford on a very flat pitch at the
Parks.The following game against
Loughborough went down to the
very last ball of the match where
Loughborough overhauled
Cambridge’s 401 with 9 wickets
down. Outplayed against the best
side in the competition, Durham,
meant that Cambridge entered
the last game versus Cardiff
needing a first innings win to go
to Lords as runners up. However
287-6 became 292 a/o and despite
Cardiff’s run chase stuttering all
the way they eventually got their
target with 7 wickets down.
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