By Keith Graham at Lord's
First day of two: MCC (212-2 dec and 85-4) lead Scotland (212-4 dec) by 85 runs
RUNS flowed at Lord's yesterday with the MCC, put in to bat by Scotland, given a brisk start by former Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire batsman Adrian Metcalfe and Eastern Province's Alan Lawson.
On an easy-paced wicket, both batsmen were quick to take advantage of a short Mound Stand side boundaryand put on66 before Metcalfe fell to a catch behind off Mike Allingham.
Lawson reached a punishing half-century, but was then brilliantly run out by Ian Stanger with a direct hit, and at lunch MCC had got to 140 for two.
Adam Tarrant and Jonathan Robinson then raced towards the declaration by adding 72 in just eight overs after lunch, before MCC called a halt at 212 for two.
Despite a sticky start, however, the Scots replied in kind. After carefully negotiating the first few overs, once Steve Crawley got into his stride runs again began to flow. He and Bryn Lockie added 108 before the Grange opener was caught at mid-on off Zimbabwe's Andrew Whittall for 55 and Lockie departed soon after completing his own half-century.
The assault continued with 21-years-old Drew Parsons flaying the MCC attack for 45 in just 42 balls, including one six and nine boundaries before being well-caught at square-leg with the scores level at which point Scotland declared.
MCC lost two early wickets when they batted a second time, Andy Tennant pulling off a superb catch at cover to dismiss Whittall, and, although Paul Farbrace hit a brisk 42, two late wickets for Stanger gave Scotland the advantage as MCC closed the day on 85 for four. Play resumes at 10.30am today.
MCC.- 212-2d (A Tarrant 69no, J Robinson 52no, A Lawson 50) and 85-4. Scotland 212-4d (S Crawley 55, B Lockie 54).
Day 2: Wright inspires Scots to victory
By Keith Graham at Lord's
Scotland (212-4 dec & 150-5) bt MCC (212-2 dec & 149) by five wickets
SCOTLAND cruised to a five-wicket victory over MCC at Lord's after a fine spell of seam bowling from Craig Wright, who snapped up four of the home team's remaining six wickets yesterday.
MCC had resumed their second innings on 85 for four but Grange's Peter Steindl made an early breakthrough when, with only nine runs added, he clean bowled Angus Mackay. But it was Wright who turned the screw when he had Mike Warden caught at mid-off and, next ball, induced Andy Tarrant to spoon the ball to point.
Although denied his hat-trick, the tall West of Scotland all-rounder soon had Jon Robinson well caught at third slip by Drew Parsons and removed Alan Lawson through a catch at slip after the South African had reached 28. Ian Stanger picked up his third wicket of the innings when he trapped Adrian Metcalfe lbw to bring the innings to a close at 149.
Wright returned morning figures of 10-3-28-4. He had also picked up five wickets in his club's league game last Saturday and scored a century the next day in a cup match.
Scotland's batsmen seemed intent on finishing the game quickly. Bryn Lockie got off the mark when he clipped Warden's second ball to the square-leg boundary and Steve Crawley stroked Mark Kenlock's first ball at the other end effortlessly through the covers and then hoisted him over square-leg for six. However, the Grange opener then flashed at a Warden delivery to be caught behind.
Lockie and Iain Philip took the score to 69 before Whittall had Lockie (36) caught at mid-on, Philip snapped up behind and Parsons caught at mid-off.
Mike Allingham announced his arrival at the wicket by lofting the off-spinner wide of long-on for six and steered the Scots to the brink of victory before gloving an Alan Lewis delivery to the wicket keeper when on 36. Donald Orr and Wright saw them safely home without further loss.