A commanding position...

The Cambridge to Casablanca team have moved into a commanding position in the first test match against Spain, and currently reside in Seville requiring just 130 runs in the next two days to secure victory. Overcoming the fall of the big wicket of Gimson early on day two, the team have recovered well, posting some impressive totals over the five days of 88, 90, 59, 70 and 60 miles respectively. The much feared heat of the Spanish quick bowlers, reaching 40 degrees in the last few days, has restricted runs in the afternoon session but runs have flown freely in the cool of the morning and early evening against less challenging bowlers, allowing such good totals to be compiled with ease.

That said, the last week has not been without incident, and today was the first day in five that the team have not been forced to visit a bike shop for running repairs. Most of these stoppages can be attributed to Hugh ´Niggles´ Pemberton and Ed ´The Puncture´ Pearson. Without a puncture in the first 14 days of cycling, Ed managed to have three in two days, the second caused by an errant tyre leaver that he had left inside the tyre from the previous repair. In more positive news the resurgent form of Tom Doble has been a joy to watch for all concerned, after a series of low scores against France and a testing opening spell in Spain, the team were worried as he bedded down for his siesta on day two. However on reawakening he appeared to find a new lease of life and has been the stand out performer of the last few days. Despite his improved cycling ability, his pompous gland has continued to swell to potentially dangerous levels.
For those interested in the wicket, the team have been on the same road, the N630, since the last report from Salamanca. The N630 can only be described as a road, a batsman´s paradise, 600km of straight hard tarmac stretching between Salamanca and Seville, with barely a car on it. The biggest challenge for the batsmen has hus been maintaining concentration in the long stretches of barren and often featureless countryside, whilst putting up with Pemberton´s relentless and moronic chanting from the back of the peleton, only occaisonly punctuated by the odd Sierra, pilgrim, cow and roadside brothel. An interesting break did occure with a visit to a government-run modern art hostel pilgrim centre thing sourced for us by logistics co-ordinator and 7th member of the team Jeremy Davidson. (I can´t descrie how strange the place was - so look at the website; http://www.embalsedealcantara.com/).
Today the team completed the alloted days miles in record time, arriving in Seville at lunchtime, giving a rare opportunity for the team to absorb some culture. In true ´Brits abroad´style the chosen culture was not Spanish, as the team quickly found the closest Irish bar and settled in with a round of recovery drinks to watch the England Pakistan test match...
With victory over Spain looking assured thoughts have been turning a potential final against the unpredictable Moroccan side littered with hazardous drivers but lacking in the hills or distance of the Spanish side. The team have also been boosted by the news that injured national treasure Nat Gimson will be flying out to join the team in what has become known as the ´David Beckham´ role, in which he will prvide motivational speeches and general positive input from the sidelines, though some critics have questioned whether he has the ability to look so good in a Marks and Spencer suit... vice captain Ed Pearson commented, ´we´re remaining fully focussed on the task in hand which is completing this test match against Spain, we know the heat that the spanish bowlers are capable of generating and being Engish an middle order collapse is always possible, but I´m condfident that we can close this game out over the next two days. I´m sure the input of such an experienced player as Nat Gimson will be invaluable´.
Jonathan Agnew, for TMS, in Seville.