After a long summer of purgatory, the Nomads finally arrived at Paradise in the shape of Worcester Park CC's ground at Green Lane. For the first time, Nomads had given themselves a Conference Rating of Medium rather than Weak-Medium and were being rewarded with facilities to match their new status; an excellent-looking, correctly-marked pitch, a full-size scoreboard, 2 large sightscreens and a bar full of large, tattooed men who had come to shout at the pampered, over-paid, petulant sports stars (Chelsea in the Charity Shield, not the Nomads.)
Having seen the pitch, and with the toss won, Nomads' Top 8 were champing at the bit. Ben Fewson and Prasanth had first go and the opening over was a bit of a reality check as the Medium Pacer Rob Waite found considerable extra kick off the pitch. Fewson just about kept a low one out and Prasanth also did well to survive. Thankfully the pressure was eased by 4 byes and it was eased further when 12 came from Scott Kent's first over; a boundary for each batsman and a smattering of wides. Most of the early scoring was behind the wicket but progress was swift with 45 taken from the first 8 overs, mostly off Kent.
There were 2 important turning points around this time; Ben Fewson hit the first boundary in front of square - uppishly, but it eased the tension palpably - and Prasanth survived a run out appeal which I could tell, even from the other end, was quite remarkably close.
Both batsman were getting into their stride as 50 was passed. Prasanth played several nice leg side shots. Fewson confided to me that he was struggling to find his form and then struck the spinner Ben Line back over his head for two 4s in an over. I wish I could struggle like that.
Kent had changed ends and, reducing his pace, finally accounted for Prasanth (29) caught with the total on 92; yet another of the fine opening partnerships which have underpinned Nomads' season.
Fewson smote a big 6 off Ricky Geale, removing the bowler from the attack, and raced to another half-century. He was dropped off Ben Line but was starting to look in prime form with Niall McConnell playing a supporting role as drinks were taken after 20 overs with about 115 on the very professional-looking scoreboard.
McConnell was initially quite cautious, pushing the ball gently out on to the off side. "He's only got one shot," one of the revitalised fielders chirped. A top-drawer straight drive soon disproved that theory and the batsmen began to build a major stand with snappy running between the wickets and a sprinkling of classy boundaries. McConnell even caused the blue-shirted men in the bar to take their eyes off Frank Lampard's legs for a second when he produced the shot of the season so far, a quite wonderful cover drive just like they play them on television. Soon after this highlight, McConnell was bowled by Bruce (yes, he was Australian) for his second 44 in successive games and the partnership was broken 4 runs short of its century.
Ben Fewson gave the charge to a slower one from Kent and had to scramble back, seemingly pulling something in the process. "I think it's my quad," Ben grimaced as he staggered to his feet. "Do you want to come off?" The umpire asked. His score (87 Not out) flashed through the batsman's brain. "Do I ****," he replied.
Ben appeared unaffected by the pull and was so well set that he was able to run several balls deliberately down to third man off the edge. This took him to 96 and he brought up the big landmark in fine style with another drive over the bowler's head. This was Ben's third century of the season, a fantastic achievement and probably the finest of the three, taking his seasonal average up to around 67.
Hassan Khan had played a supporting role and this continued after Fewson was finally out for 107. The run rate remained impressive despite a string of slightly unlucky dismissals; Jim Joyce to a snorter, Rob Jenkins to one that kept very low and Amin to a 30-yard direct hit by the wicketkeeper who still had his gloves on. A flurry of crackerjack straight hits from Ajmal took the total up to 244 for 6 at the close.
So just over 6 an over was required and Nomads had mixed feelings; no opponents had successfully chased a total this large in Nomads' history but on the other hand the opposition were a 1st XI containing well-coached youngsters and Australians.
Nomads opening pair of Rob Jenkins and Hassan Khan started reasonably well with Hassan bowling a particularly good line and length. W. Park's opener Ryan made the big mistake of trying to hit Hassan across the line and departed, bowled, for 8. Opener Ladha then consolidated with No. 3 Harrison and runs began to flow, especially off first change Emil Todorow, though Emil was unlucky with several aerial shots narrowly evading the clutches of the Nomads' fielders.
Hassan was taken off after bowling 7 overs, saving one up for later, and Ajmal replaced him downhill, impressing with good pace and soon having Ladha trapped LBW for a rapid 40. Ladha departed to very desultory applause from the W. Park players - I counted 4 claps - which seemed either to be evidence of poor team spirit or that they felt 40 was a run-of-the-mill score. I feared the latter.
2 further wickets fell to Ajmal taking it to 90 for 4 at the 20-over drinks break and then a brief flurry was terminated by a wicket apiece for Amin and Gopi. At 126 for 6 Nomads appeared to have their feet on the jugular and a burst of shots from Number 7 and 8 Kent and Waite (the opening bowlers) didn't appear too significant. Nomads perhaps relaxed a little and suddenly Worcester Park were racing past 150 and Waite and Kent were playing quite beautifully. Nomads bowling was reasonable but there was very little help from the pitch and there was a 6-over spell where every single ball was met by a sturdy middle. 85 were required from the last 10 when Gopi was taken off, a little unluckily perhaps. Rob Jenkins replaced Gopi and the change of pace worked only briefly. Ajmal replaced Amin but 2 successive 4s from him and a Jenkins over which culminated in a 6 brought the rate down to around 6.5. A massive roar suddenly cut through the evening gloom and a thin, stark-naked 20-year-old male appeared inside the boundary, strutting his stuff and obtaining much more ball movement than Nomads' bowlers were getting. He was no Erica Roe sadly and, chased by a Worcester Park fielder trying to slap him on the bottom with a bat, he soon disappeared back into the bar leaving Nomads to attempt to wrap up the match. The required rate was coming down with almost every passing over. Ajmal raised hopes slightly when one of his overs went for only 4 and then even more so when he smashed Kent's stumps. The new player was the skipper, Line, however and he was a competent replacement. Even Hassan's last over failed to stop the rot and Amin returned to bowl the final over with only 5 needed. A dot ball was followed by a scampered 2 to bring up a fine 50 for Waite who celebrated by locating the ball somewhere in the twilight and thumping it for 4 to complete victory.
This was a good performance from Nomads and we justified our Medium rating. The bowling wasn't as bad as the figures appear but perhaps we lack a bit of experience of bowling on really good tracks. We have probably been relying on the pitch to help us a bit too much. There was a rumour Worcester Park had tinkered with their batting order to make a game of it (and certainly their numbers 7 and 8 appeared more accomplished than 4, 5 and 6) but if they did it could easily have backfired. After all, they needed over 100 off the last 12 overs and they didn't know much about us. It is hard to believe they could have achieved that run rate if we'd had up our sleeves someone like, say, Rafi, or (after last week's performance) Andrew West.
Man of the Match can only be the man to whom scoring tons is shelling peas - Mr Ben Fewson. Fielder of the Day is harder; Crossland, Ajmal and Fewson all impressed but Jim Joyce gets the nod. He did very little wrong and a hell of a lot right. NL
CLAPHAM NOMADS - 244 for 6 from 40 overs
Fewson, 107
Prasanth, 29
McConnell, 44
H. Khan, 9 Not out
Joyce, 0
Amin, 9
Jenkins, 1
Ajmal, 7 Not out
F.O.W. - 92, 188, 217 - list to be completed
WORCESTER PARK (Sunday 1st XI) - 246 for 7 from 39.3 overs
H. Khan - 8-3-33-1
Jenkins - 7-1-48-0
Todorow - 8-0-56-0
Ajmal - 8-1-39-4
Amin - 5.3-0-48-1
Gopi - 3-0-22-1
Worcester Park won by 3 wickets
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