Goodbye Gopi

As there is no match on Sunday 19th, it seems that, very sadly, Gopi has played his last match for the club. He made his debut for the Nomads in the very eventful game against Morden on 12th July 2009, taking 3 vital wickets. The incidents and aggravation in that game did not put him off and he has only missed one game since then.
Even in his first match, he was calling out encouragement to the other players and he has kept this enthusiasm going all the way. He really has been a great pleasure to play with and has been one of the most popular players Clapham Nomads have had. Even opposition players have enjoyed playing with him as we saw by the massive cheer that Southall Eagles gave him when he came out to bat against them this season.
He took 25 wickets last season at an incredible average of 5.88. He had so many tricks up his sleeve and batsmen just fell for them time after time. He got several wickets with bouncers which were always enjoyable but my favourite was the slower ball which a Kingston Lefthanders batsman made 3 attempts to hit before the ball rolled onto the stumps.
It was always going to be difficult to follow that but, by bowling more orthodox Medium Pace this season, he has still had great success and is the highest wicket taker of the season with 27 (Hassan is next with 25.) His hat-trick against Chalfont St. Peter was a moment of pure joy and don't forget he took 7 for 29 that day - even the opposition wrote his name as "The Mighty Gopi" in their scorebook.
Perhaps his best point as a bowler is that he is such a consistent wicket-taker. He has bowled in all his Nomads appearances and on only one occasion has he failed to take a wicket.
He has shown this season that he is a good middle order batsman and has earned the right to be called an all-rounder. His 41 not out against West One in August was a particularly entertaining innings and I'm sure he would have made 50 if we had not run out of overs. His pace in the field meant that everyone in the club nicknamed him "Speedy."
We all enjoyed playing with you, Gopi, and hope you get to play some cricket in India. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Gopi's career statistics for Clapham Nomads;

25 appearances.
Man of the Match 4 times
Fielder of the Day 3 times
9 catches
BATTING - Innings 17; Not out 3 times; Runs scored 182; High score 41 not out; Average 13.00
BOWLING- Overs 135.5; Maidens 12; Runs conceded 593; Best bowling 7-29; Wickets 52; Bowling Average 11.40
Strike rate - A wicket every 15.67 balls
Economy rate - 4.37 per over
Top of the bowling Averages in 2009 with 5.88
Highest wicket-taker in 2010 with 27
CLUB RECORDS; Only man to take 2 hat-tricks in Nomads history.
Fastest player to take 50 wickets for the club