Banerjee's boys dig in for a draw

COACH Ami Banerjee was delighted with the performance of the Elizabeth College First XI as they drew with the MCC. Ysterday's game was in total contrast to that which the visitors won at the same College Field venue 24 hours earlier against the GICC.

This time it was about a stubborn, gutsy fight by the students with both ball and bat to prevent their opponents from securing a second successive tour victory.

Although it was a creditable team performance, there were a few outstanding individual displays.

George Bett produced an astonishing spell of 26 unbroken overs from the Rue a l'Or end, claiming five for 82 in the process showing great consistency and accuracy with his off-spin.

Included among his wickets was that of the MCC's top scorer Mark Everett who constructed a 102-ball 70.

College captain James Warr came close to matching Bett in terms of balls bowled as he produced 23 of the 61 overs that the visitors faced before skipper Bob Baxter declared.

As it turned out, that was a very fair declaration as the College ended up facing 63 overs.

In reply, the hosts lost early wickets with George Brooksbank getting through both Charles Rix and Fergus Calderwood before Matthew Dixon made it 25 for three by dismissing Jonny Warr.

But Peter Le Hegarat, in the unfamiliar role of opener, and Jamie Nussbaumer shored up the innings with a valuable fourth wicket stand of 73, although both fell just short of deserved half centuries.

James Warr and Bett guided their side to the draw.

'I am very pleased. We bowled well and backed it up with good fielding and batting,' said Banerjee.

'George getting five wickets and bowling 26 overs says a lot. He is mentally very tough and he is improving. James Warr also bowled almost 25 overs, a brilliant effort.

'The one important thing is they are improving in each and every match.'

Banerjee will be in action against the MCC himself today as part of the Guernsey side to face the tourists at the KGV.

In a late change to the Guernsey team, Stuart Bisson replaces Matt Jeffery, who is unavailable.