SPECTATORS basking in the Isle of Wight’s heatwave sunshine enjoyed a run-fest in the traditional annual exhibition match between an IW Cricket Board senior side and the MCC at Newclose on Monday.
The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), the most famous club in the world, and skippered by Andy Woodward, the Island’s head of cricket, won the toss and batted.
On a perfect strip for batting on, the MCC made an excellent 372-5 in their 50 overs, with ex-Worcestershire player, Matthew Pardoe, smashing 143 of them.
Inevitably, Pardoe put on the best stand of the day with fellow opener Tom Kennedy, who struck 95.
The pick of the IWCB’s bowlers were Jason Heap (3-51), the captain of Cowes, and Island-based Lymington player, Josh Proctor (2-45).
In reply, the Islanders, skippered by Ryde Cricket Club’s Stuart Robertson, came up a tad short, 350 all out from 49.4 overs.
Portsmouth and Southsea player and ex-Hampshire pro, Ben Duggan, who featured in last year’s tied match against the MCC, struck 100, supported by good knocks from Proctor (69) and fellow Lymington player, Ross Whyte (49).
The visitors, whose best bowlers were Gary Bulpitt (4-65) and his son, Jordan (3-47), were subsequently presented the Keith Newbery Memorial Trophy.
Keith was a former County Press columnist and award-winning editor, as well as being a past chairman of the Isle of Wight Cricket Board and a fanatic of the game.
After the match, Mr Woodward said: “It was a very exciting game of cricket.
“It was a beautiful day, the wicket at Newclose was fantastic and we had a good crowd in to watch it.”
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