CIMA squad in London
The RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI lost for the first time on tour against a Reigate Priory XI on Wednesday (July 24), but returned to winning ways later in the day with a four run win against a Metropolitan Police XI. Abraash Khan top-scored for the Mayor’s XI with 56 against Reigate Priory but the Mayor’s XI could only reach 159 for eight in response to Reigate’s 185 all out. Aniket Joshi hit 53 of the tourists 148 for seven against the Metropolitan Police.
On Thursday, the Mayor’s XI beat a Purley CC XI by 23 runs. The Mayor’s XI hit 236 for eight wickets from thirty overs, headed by the second century of the tour by Siddhanth Shekhar, who hit an even 100. S. Lara, a cousin of the currently more famous former West Indian captain Brian Lara, top scored for Purley with 63 not out. The RBC CIMA Mayor’s teams heavy schedule may then have had an impact as the tourists then lost an evening game to a Beddington CC XI by six wickets.
The final game of the 2013 tour takes place on Friday.
This week included a visit to Lord’s Cricket Ground where the touring squad was greeted by MCC CEO Mr. Derek Brewer. A guided tour of the Pavilion and other features of the grounds was then provided and the tour party was able to watch part of the game between the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) and the Melbourne Cricket Club. The MCC won this match. Trent Johnston, well known as captain of Ireland in ICC Associate cricketing circles played for the MCC.
The touring team also visited the Greater London Authority at London City Hall as guests of London’s Deputy Mayor Lady Victoria Borwick. After initial greetings and a tour around the building, which provides a spectacular view of London, Lady Victoria Borwick invited the tourists to a session of the Greater London Council session that was in progress. Lady Borwick took her seat at the Council and passed on a note to the Speaker.
Soon after, London Mayor Boris Johnson interrupted the Council session to announce and officially welcome of the Toronto Mayor’s Team. Mayor Johnson commented on the RBC CIMA Mayor’s tourists then record of four wins and no losses.
Mayor Johnson said the tourists have done well on the field and commented on how are sharply dressed the side looked ! The sponsorship clothing provided by Tom’s Place brought out the sharply dressed aspect, for which thanks are due to Mr. Tom Mihalek for his support of the Cricket Across the Pond program.
Summary scores from latest tour matches
Tour Game 4 – July 24 2013
RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI v Reigate Priory Cricket Club XI
Team Reigate Priory CC XI 185 (28 overs; Ramsolen 52, Ross 35, Houlton 35)
RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI 159 for eight wkts (30 overs; Abraash Khan 56, Gayan Ferdinands 38, Bilal Khan 22)
Result: Reigate Priory XI won by 26 runs
Tour Game 5 – July 24, 2013
RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI v Metropolitan Police XI
RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI 148 for seven wkts (20 overs: Aniket Joshi 53, Abraash Khan 20*, Rizwan Khan15)
Metropolitan Police XI 144 for eight wkts (20 overs; Russ B 50*, Breeze 25, Abraash Khan 4 wkts for 32)
Result: RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI won by four runs
Tour Game 6 – July 25, 2013
RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI v Purley Cricket Club XI
RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI 236 for eight wkts (30 overs; Siddhanth Shekhar 100, Rizwan Khan 30*, Gayan Ferdinands 24*, Bilal Khan 20)
Purley CC XI 213 for six wkts (30 overs; S. Lara 63*, N. Choudhary 29, S. Radford 29, J. Johnson 24)
Result: RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI won by 23 runs
Tour Game 7 – July 25, 2013
RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI v Beddington Cricket Club XI
RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI 110 (17.3 overs; Bilal Khan 41, Morris 4 wkts)
Beddington CC XI 113 for 4 wkts (14 overs; J. Williams 47*, G. McElliot 42)
Result: Beddington CC XI won by six wickets
[EN from scorecards and news provided by RBC CIMA Mayor’s XI Tour Party]