Marylebone Cricket Club Rest of the World IX Captains Sachin Tendulkar | Dates 5 July 2014 – | |
Results Marylebone Cricket Club won the 1-match series 1–0 | ||
The Bicentenary Celebration match was a 50-over exhibition cricket match to mark the two hundredth anniversary of the Lord's Cricket Ground, London, between a side representing the MCC and a Rest of the World team, that took place on 5 July 2014. Lord's is considered to be the "home of cricket" by international cricket officials. The MCC team won the match by 7 wickets with Aaron Finch finishing with a score of 181*.
Contents
Match
Shane Warne won the toss and elected to bat. Adam Gilchrist and Virender Sehwag gave the ROW a quick start. MCC's bowler and Pakistan spearhead Umar Gul also suffered a recurrence of his right knee injury which meant he only bowled two overs and then left the field. Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal was then introduced during powerplay and he struck immediately removing Gilchrist, Kevin Pietersen, Tamim Iqbal and Shahid Afridi. However, this was then followed by a 100+ stand between Yuvraj Singh and Paul Collingwood. Singh eventually scored a century as his late assault took the total to 293. Shane Warne suffered a broken hand from the bowling of Brett Lee. Warne was replaced in the field by South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock. MCC started well with both Sachin Tendulkar and Aaron Finch batting positively. Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan removed Tendulkar before Collingwood was able to dismiss Brian Lara and Rahul Dravid off consecutive deliveries. Finch along with Shivnarine Chanderpaul then took MCC home with Finch scoring 181 not out.
Controversy
During commentary, former England cricketer Andrew Strauss described Kevin Pietersen as "a cunt" in what he believed to be an off-air conversation. While the comment didn't go out on Sky Sports, it was broadcast to overseas viewers. Strauss later said "I apologise unreservedly, particularly to Kevin Pietersen. I am mortified and profusely sorry."