Clapham Nomads v Wimbledon United - 19/5/13

Clapham Nomads lost our 4th game in a row - as usual by around 45 runs. As John pointed out - regularly - at least we have a 100% record.
This was probably the most enjoyable day of the season so far.  Apart from the defeat and a nasty ankle injury to wicketkeeper John Crossland, this had everything you could want from a Sunday game; a very pleasant opposition and a good atmosphere, a mild day, some entertaining and attacking batting from both sides, good varied bowling from the away side, Andrew West stopping the ball with just about every part of his body in the field, and a dog eating a fair proportion of the tea.
I arrived for this game at Del Ballard Rec in Dundonald Road at 3 pm with Wimbledon on around 70 for 2 off 15 and batting beautifully but it was clear that momentous events had been taking place - and I don't mean Nomads actually taking 2 early wickets.  Andrew West (who had not been on the team sheet) was charging around the mid-wicket boundary, clad in blue and purple, making sensational stops, Mahesh Vyas was neat and tidy behind the stumps, and regular keeper John Crossland was rubbing his leg vigorously by the trees, and not in a way that seemed to be causing him particular pleasure.  It turned out that John had been smacked full on the ankle by a fast full toss.  Fortunately, we had an experienced wicketkeeper in the side and a sub fielder available.  Unfortunately, John's injury has now been confirmed as a broken ankle and he is likely to be out for at least another 6 weeks.  Best wishes for a quick recovery, John.
The afternoon proceeded with an excellent 85 stand for the 3rd wicket between Alex Herbert and Steve Lord taking United up to 105.  Both players drove impressively.  Nomads bowling was OK with Emil and Abdul sharing equally the 4 wickets that fall.  Only Abbas came in for real punishment.  Zia was the fastest and the most economical with 23 taken off his 7.  Nomads groundfielding was very good but the fastest piece of work was from a passing dog who scooped up a jam tart - complete with foil base - and a whole pack of economy chicken slices in one slick movement just as the half-time tea had been laid out.  A string of profanities rent the air as Team Chef Lefebve and Food Fan West chased the mutt away just as he was bearing down on the Halal Chicken.
United closed on 180 for 4 and, despite the good pitch and fast outfield, our recent record did not give us much confidence as we tucked into the remains of the tea, which had been augmented by the pack of frozen beans John had been keeping up his leg to reduce the swelling.
Wimbledon's attack was led by the tall Fast-Medium outswing bowler Peter Brown "The Southfields Express", who struck in the first over, shaping one away to have debutant Gul well caught at First Slip by Flannery on Gul's first ball for the club.  No. 3 Prasanth Pattiyil continued his fine recent form and cracked 5 fours, mostly straight and though and over Square Leg.  Mahesh Vyas was looking sound in the Anchor Man role and at 37 for 1 and with a classy-looking Top 7, Nomads were by no means out of it but Prasanth was bowled round his legs by Hasan for 27.  Hassan Khan kept up the decent scoring rate but Mahesh, having survived the openers, skied a catch off first-changer Herbert with Nomads on 49.
Darwin, Zia and Abdul all peppered the boundary but Nomads just couldn't build a major stand.  Quickish Off-Spinner James Flannery sealed Wimbledon's victory with 7 overs in which he achieved a fair amount of turn at just below Medium pace.  He did go for 37 off his 7 overs but he accounted for 4 of Nomads' hardest hitters, 2 of them falling to well-judged catches off skiers as the Home side subsided from 93 for 4 to 131 for 9.  The not out man Emil Todorow demanded that the injured John Crossland come out and join him to complete the innings to which Crossland replied; "I would - if we had any chance of winning."  In the end, Wimbledon sportingly agreed to allow sub fielder Andrew West to bat and were rewarded with a look at his unique grip.  Emil Todorow cracked a fine boundary to vindicate his insistence that all was not lost but he fell soon afterwards.
Anyway, a thoroughly enjoyable game for everyone except the unfortunate John.  Man of the Match was Prasanth, whose fine innings contained the few brief moments when the result was in any doubt.  Fielder of the Day was Andrew West who brought off some excellent stops.

Wimbledon United (180 for 4 from 35 overs) beat Clapham Nomads (135 all out from 29 overs) by 45 runs.

M.Vyas   14
Gul   0
P. Pattiyil   27
H. Khan  19
Darwin   15
Zia  27
Abdul. Khan  11
Kennedy   0
Abbas Khan   7
Todorow   4
A. West  Not out  0

F.O.W. - 1, 37, 49, 70, 93, 118, 122, 131, 131, 135


H. Khan   7-0-40-0
E. Todorow   7-1-26-2
Zia   7-0-23-0
Abbas Khan   7-0-51-0
Abdul Khan   7-0-30-2