The teams settle in for the post-match papping
February saw the arrival of the Lloyd’s of London touring team to play a combined Carioca Cricket Club and Brazil XI, the first international touring side to grace the club’s home ground in Itaguai, 60 minutes West of Zona Sul.
With a history dating back to 1922 and a squad of quality players, most with university, county and even international pedigree, it was clear that Lloyd’s Cricket Club would present a serious challenge to the Brazil XI that had been assembled to give them the final test of their 2013 Argentina and Brazil cricket tour across two T20 games (either side of a typical Brazilian churrasco lunch and a refreshing dunk in the pool).
Match 1
Lloyds won the toss and elected to bat and got off to a good start in the ferocious heat with some aggressive batting from Turner who hit a quick-fire 51 (ret.). The depth of the Lloyds team’s batting was clear as Boughtwood (52 ret.) and Buttleman (32) weighed in with more quick runs. Rob Wallace caused a brief wobble in the middle of the order with a couple of wickets and solid final figures of 2-40 but Lloyds had made their intentions clear with an impressive total of 202 for 6 from the allotted 20 overs.
The Brazil XI set about their task at once with Caisley and Lefevre keeping the runs ticking over for the first 5 overs but they soon fell for 21 and 16 respectively. The baton was then passed to Brazil’s captain, Featherstone (42) and Akula (20) to come up with the runs and they produced some fine strokes but some tight bowling from Lloyds, the best coming from Waddell-Dudley and Eaton, slowed Brazil’s run chase considerably. Heaney and Wallace tried valiantly to up the run rate chipping in 22 apiece but ultimately Brazil had been beaten by Lloyd’s more aggressive batting and superior run rate, finishing 167-4.
Match 2
Following a hearty side of cow and a dip in the pool to cool the core body temperature down below 40C, it was Lloyd’s who again won the toss and signalled their intent by choosing to bat first. Such was the depth of their squad that they managed to field a side that was largely unrecognisable from their line-up in the first match!
Again Lloyd’s were fast out of the traps with a quick-fire partnership from Waddell-Dudley (21) and White (47) who both provided some stylish early scores on the board. Brazil momentarily had Lloyd’s floundering on the ropes after some magnificent fielding, the highlights coming from Pringle and Caisley, but in came McGill (51), Hooper (15) and Eaton (18) to steady the ship. Lloyd’s posted a target of 193 for 7 which, although lower than their total in the morning match, was going to provide a considerable challenge to Brazil in the sweltering conditions.
Caisley and Lefevre started where they had left off in the first encounter but had not counted on the wiley spin bowling of Thorburn who rolled back the years dismissing them both in quick succession with the stealth of a fruitbat. This was followed by 2 ducks for Brazil with wickets from Hooper and Bird which really ripped through Brazil’s top order. Despite brave knocks from Healey (41) and Featherstone (19) Brazil had been firmly knocked off their stride and managed to muster an admirable but insufficient 109 for 9. Lloyds emerged as worthy winners but Brazil could be proud of their efforts.
Huge thanks go to the President of the Carioca Cricket Club, Nick Gibson who did the lion’s share of the organisation for the weekend , to Matt Featherstone for greasing the wheels to make it happen and also to Abel Rocha who kindly allowed the use of the facilities at the newly ordained São Fernando Cricket and Polo club. Can we also extend a big thank you to the touring team which was ably led by Messrs Sibree, Thorburn and Bromage. The game was played in a great spirit (despite the stifling conditions) and we would extend a repeat invitation to Lloyd’s to tour in future years and indeed to pass on the message that cricket is alive and kicking in Brazil!
Carioca Cricket Club 