Like ourselves, Exiles had been struggling a bit for players since early July (in fact several Nomads had turned out for them in that time) but, inevitably, it was a pretty strong-looking Exiles line-up that turned out for this latest renewal at Cottenham Park.
Exiles batted first and new man Sami, bowling a nice full length with good accuracy and outswing, took the downhill end, with Emil Todorow - who had had 2 hours sleep and made an early morning dash from Dover to avoid breaking his incredible run of successive appearances - toiling away uphill. Understandably, Todorow was not quite at his best and Exiles skipper John Tither went after him, pulling a huge six off Emil's third ball. Tither scored 140 earlier this season at this ground and there was something ominous about the way he started; several more powerful boundaries forcing Todorow to replace himself with Hassan. Our star all-rounder rarely goes uphill and the wisdom of the move looked in doubt as Tither continued his sparkling form with a string of boundaries wide of mid-off, though having to ration himself increasingly as Hassan found his line and length. A maiden from Hassan perceptibly altered the mood and a short one from the same bowler in his following over was cut uppishly by Tither to Backward Point where Darwin took an excellent and vital catch to dismiss this fine player for 34 scored at a run a ball.
Jasper Searle joined Will Kent and the pair took the Away side up to 57 for 1 with few alarms. We would probably have settled for 180 at this point but a vital wicket for Hassan coincided with the appearance of some high, irregular bounce at the uphill end. It must be said that few balls got above arm height so the danger to batsmen was to their stats rather than their bones, but Hassan exploited it well and was joined by Abbas who bowled a fiery spell - the fastest by any bowler in the match. A couple more quick wickets brought the big-hitting pair of Andy Wingfield and Simon Gundry together. With the short boundaries at Cottenham Park this was a vital passage of play but Hassan and Abbas managed to account for both players for a total of 1 between them, which was beyond our wildest expectations. 64 for 6 but a bit of batting to come. A run out accounting for Tim Storey brought Johnny Aloysius out to join Marcin Zielenewski. Both batsmen showed grit and fighting spirit to counter the worst of the conditions and make 10 each, facing over 30 balls apiece. Abbas, in particular, bowled beautifully. With no irregular bounce at his end he just sent it down fast and - with the exception of one beamer and one genuine short-pitched bouncer - pretty much on the stumps.
Zielenewski was finally bowled after 38 balls of stout resistance. New man Ben Brazier faced the returning Emil Todorow who now found his form. Underestimating Todorow and trying to hit him out of the ground is something a lot of batsmen do the first time they face the Bulgarian-born legend. Surviving by millimetres and then trying the same thing next ball? Oh dear! 88 for 9. With some help from the extra bounce uphill, Abdul managed to get Aloysius to sky one to Extra Cover where Abbas took a cool catch to complete what I think is the lowest total Exiles have made against us.
A target of 91 should have had us munching confidently over tea but you take nothing for granted against the Exiles, particularly with Mr Gundry pacing up and down the picnic area (but would they bowl him uphill at the dodgy end?)
Exiles - and former Nomads - opener Mark Bradshaw arrived just before tea to watch. Currently recovering from illness; how Exiles could have done with him in this type of game (and Nomads as well, for that matter.)
Paceman Andy Wingfield was unable to bowl due to injury so Marcin Zielenewski took his place and immediately produced a Wingfieldesque delivery, pitching on off and jagging away. Downhill (thank Christ) Simon Gundry was difficult to score off but, with no irregular bounce at that end, we managed to see off his first spell. Zielenewski was tight and began to find some very low bounce but it was one of his looser balls that induced a false shot from Gul to a short one - straight to a close up fielder. 2 for 1 with the man we had been relying on to hold our top order together back in the pavilion. The former Nomad Marcin continued to be a real handful. He hit No.3 Prasanth Pattiyil on the back foot in front of middle but an audible bottom edge saved our man who went to make a stylish 20 including several powerfully-struck boundaries. As has happened a few times this season, Mahesh Vyas grafted excellently but then lost his wicket to a ball that looked tailor-made for him - in this case a leg-side full toss that bowled him. 29 for 2 which soon became 33 for 3 when Zieleneski bowled Prasanth round his back leg. In this position a full-strength Exiles bowling squad featuring Naren Patel and a fit Wingfield would possibly have been favourites but, with the opening bowlers having only a few overs left and only Phil Ling being a proven dangerman amongst the others, Nomads fancied it but would still have to bat sensibly. Ably supported by Darwin Gunawardena, Hassan played a very sensible hand, keeping everything out and stroking the occasional four to remind Exiles who they were dealing with. A vital stand of 30 was crafted before Darwin fell but Jonnie Randall continued in the same vein. Gundry returned - downhill again - but it was the slower bowlers who accounted for Randall, stumped. 83 for 5. 8 to win and Hassan was still there and a comparatively strong lower order was on hand to support him if needed. In the event it was all over rather quickly; a beamer despatched for 4, a leg bye and a single equalled the scores and then .... I pause here because I might want the following 8 words put on my tombstone.... Lefebve hit the winning run off Simon Gundry.
This was a great result for Nomads. Although we had the best of the conditions against a slightly under-strength Exiles side, it was still our most satisfying win since.......probably the last time we beat the Exiles.
There were one or two on-pitch incidents that can best be summed up as fluffy handbags at 10 paces. Basically, I don't think there is any bad blood between the sides (Speaking for myself, I really like the Exiles and always look forward to playing them.) I just think the teams really enjoy beating each other.
We had a very pleasant after-match drink in the Raynes Park Tavern, the highlight of this was when a flamboyant Edwardian-style dandy loped past, sporting a walking cane, a beautifully-tailored light grey suit and a hat worthy of the Winners' Enclosure at Royal Ascot. Although immaculately decked out like Noel Coward, he also had the indefinable air of a street drinker about him. It was generally agreed that he was a potential Nomad rather than an Exile.
Man of the Match was Abbas who bowled a really excellent spell. Fielder of the Day was Darwin who took the vital catch to dismiss John Tither - the turning point.
Energy Exiles 90 all out off 29.3 overs (Tither 34)
Sami 7-3-13-1
E. Todorow 3-0-23-1
H. Khan 7-0-22-3
Abbas Khan 7-0-16-3
Abdul Khan 5.3-2-12-1
Clapham Nomads 91 for 5 off 24.4 overs
M. Vyas 11
Gul 0
P. Pattiyil 20
H. Khan 27 not out
D. Gunawardena 10
J. Randall 6
N. Lefebve 5 not out
Did not bat; Abdul Khan, Abbas Khan, Sami, E. Todorow
F.O.W. - 2. 29, 33, 63, 83
Clapham Nomads won by 5 wickets
Monday 26 August 2013
Wednesday 14 August 2013
Mark Bradshaw's Top 10
With another Clapham Nomads v Energy Exiles fixture looming this week, it is time we finally produced a tribute to Mark Bradshaw who rejoined Exiles in the spring after 5 successful years with the Nomads. We thoroughly enjoyed having you in the side, Mark.
I watched most of his innings, usually from an umpire's vantage point, but his quality and consistency as a batsman are told most clearly by the stats. 50 innings in which he scored 1686 runs at an average of 42.15. Only 2 ducks, 14 half-centuries and most tellingly of all, he scored 30 or more in a majority of his Nomads innings (27 out of 50.)
Here are, in my opinion, his Top 10 innings for the Nomads;
1) On 24/5/09 at Civil Service Sports Ground, Chiswick. Clapham Nomads 140 for 8 (BRADSHAW 80 NOT OUT) lost to Energy Exiles 141 for 8 by 2 wickets.
An incident-packed classic at Chiswick. Baking sun, banter, sledging, a broken stump, arguments, hissy fits and the worst LBW decision I have ever seen (to remove Hassan for 0). Just an average Nomads/Exiles game really. Somehow Mark, in only his 2nd game against his old club, carved out 80 runs with no other Nomad exceeding 15. I remember 2 things; a clip off Andy Wingfield over Square Leg for 4, and Mark staggering off the pitch at tea, exhausted from the effort of coping with his Nomads team-mates as much as seeing off a classy Exiles attack.
2) On 11/9/11 at Joseph Hood Rec. Surbiton Imperials 139 for 9 lost to Clapham Nomads 143 for 4 (BRADSHAW 63 NOT OUT) by 6 wickets.
A terrible start to the day but a sublime finish. A council double-booking meant a 2-hour delay while they found us another pitch. Surbiton made 139 but Nomads were well behind the rate and requiring 70 off the last 10 overs when a biblical rainstorm flooded the ground. Everyone wanted to go home with the exception of Surbiton's skipper (fair enough, they were clear favourites) and he managed to talk the team back out there. After taking a couple of overs to adjust to barely being able to stand up on the skidpan, Bradshaw smacked the strong Imperials attack all around the park - six 4s in this passage of play despite the drenched outfield - and even outscored Hassan while they were together to complete a glorious victory with 10 balls to spare. The best attacking innings I've seen him play.
3) On 20/7/08 at Fairfield Rec, Kingston. Kingston 192 for 7 drew with Clapham Nomads 88 for 8 (BRADSHAW 43).
Nomads needed 193 to beat a Kingston side featuring the searing pace of Plunkett and Declan McArdle who got through 25 overs between them in this time game. A draw was probably the best we could hope for on a dodgy track at Fairfield (with its usual audience of street drinkers) and - below Hassan at 3 - one of Nomads' weakest batting line-ups. Mark stuck it out almost single-handedly with no-one else making more than 11 and, although he was out with 3 balls to go, the draw was ours. This was a classic defensive innings which had John raving all evening (in a good way.)
4) On 12/9/10 at Raynes Park Sports Ground. Clapham Nomads 220 for 4 (BRADSHAW 81 NOT OUT) beat Surbiton Imperials 186 for 8 by 34 runs.
This was memorable for a stand of a top class stand of 133 between Mark - hitting it straighter than usual if I remember - and Hassan. It was just brilliant chanceless batting from both players which brightened up a bitter-sweet day (it was Gopi's last game for us.) We hadn't played Imperials for years before this and the batting seems even better in retrospect when you consider how we have often struggled to make runs against them since.
5) On 3/8/08 at Dundonald Road, SW19. Clapham Nomads 294 for 5 (BRADSHAW 83) beat Kingston Lefthanders 70 for 7 on faster scoring rate.
A great knock despite the distractions of a dead crow lying on the outfield, lager cans lining the boundary, and balls being continually hit onto our field by Sri Lankan League players on the other pitch - to the chagrin of some Lefthanders Fielders who wanted to go and fight them. The bowling, led by "Meerkat" and "Brains" was only moderate but you've still got to hit it and Bradshaw did just that, stacking up 83, his highest score for Nomads, and sharing in our all-time club record partnership of 197 with Cameron Russell. Bradshaw batted so well that the former Rutland Schools player was described by the opposition as an Australian Ringer.
6) On 17/7/11 at Cox's Lane, Dulwich. Streatham & Marlborough 150 for 2 lost to Clapham Nomads 151 for 3 (BRADSHAW 56 NOT OUT) by 7 wickets.
Bradshaw led an excellent unbeaten 4th wicket stand of 72 with Darwin to secure a fine victory in a game that had looked lost - certainly to John who remarked loudly at one point (to the opposition's amusement); "We can't win this. We haven't got Riaz."
7) On 16/5/10 at Fishponds Rec, SW17. Clapham Nomads 180 for 8 (BRADSHAW 47) beat Kempton 72 for 4 by 4 runs (Duckworth Lewis Method).
A really memorable, amusing, game on a dreadful pitch. Mark's 47 held us together and his only consolation for missing out on his half-century was that he was dismissed by a spinner called Warne, who was an uncanny Andrew West lookalike.
8) On 14/9/08 at Dundonald Road. Energy Exiles 158 all out beat Clapham Nomads 94 all out (BRADSHAW 30) by 64 runs.
Mark's first game for Nomads against his old club and, despite facing severe sledging (or, as Exiles website put it, "some very droll remarks"), his hard-fought 30 was the only thing that gave some respectability to a Nomads batting order severely weakened by Ramadan and late season apathy which was basically put to the sword by a strong and fired up Exiles bowling line-up (Wingfield, Uttley, Gundry, Zielenewski and G. Thomas)
9) On 5/7/09 at Raynes Park Sports Ground. Caribbean Mix 169 all out lost to Clapham Nomads 175 for 3 (BRADSHAW 74) by 7 wickets.
This was a long way off Mark's best form, but he survived a string of chances to notch a match-winning 74 (though Hassan actually hit the winning runs with a 6 - happy days). As Mark snicked another one into the wicketkeeper's gloves - and out again - one of Caribbean's fielders memorably intoned; "Yes! Today is your day! Today you can do anything you want. Anything!"
10) On 6/6/10 at Northey Avenue, Cheam. Clapham Nomads 191 for 7 (BRADSHAW 51) lost to Bec Old Boys 194 for 8 by 2 wickets.
Just an archetypal Bradshaw innings really. Sound batting to hold the top order together on a decent track against strong and varied bowling.
I watched most of his innings, usually from an umpire's vantage point, but his quality and consistency as a batsman are told most clearly by the stats. 50 innings in which he scored 1686 runs at an average of 42.15. Only 2 ducks, 14 half-centuries and most tellingly of all, he scored 30 or more in a majority of his Nomads innings (27 out of 50.)
Here are, in my opinion, his Top 10 innings for the Nomads;
1) On 24/5/09 at Civil Service Sports Ground, Chiswick. Clapham Nomads 140 for 8 (BRADSHAW 80 NOT OUT) lost to Energy Exiles 141 for 8 by 2 wickets.
An incident-packed classic at Chiswick. Baking sun, banter, sledging, a broken stump, arguments, hissy fits and the worst LBW decision I have ever seen (to remove Hassan for 0). Just an average Nomads/Exiles game really. Somehow Mark, in only his 2nd game against his old club, carved out 80 runs with no other Nomad exceeding 15. I remember 2 things; a clip off Andy Wingfield over Square Leg for 4, and Mark staggering off the pitch at tea, exhausted from the effort of coping with his Nomads team-mates as much as seeing off a classy Exiles attack.
2) On 11/9/11 at Joseph Hood Rec. Surbiton Imperials 139 for 9 lost to Clapham Nomads 143 for 4 (BRADSHAW 63 NOT OUT) by 6 wickets.
A terrible start to the day but a sublime finish. A council double-booking meant a 2-hour delay while they found us another pitch. Surbiton made 139 but Nomads were well behind the rate and requiring 70 off the last 10 overs when a biblical rainstorm flooded the ground. Everyone wanted to go home with the exception of Surbiton's skipper (fair enough, they were clear favourites) and he managed to talk the team back out there. After taking a couple of overs to adjust to barely being able to stand up on the skidpan, Bradshaw smacked the strong Imperials attack all around the park - six 4s in this passage of play despite the drenched outfield - and even outscored Hassan while they were together to complete a glorious victory with 10 balls to spare. The best attacking innings I've seen him play.
3) On 20/7/08 at Fairfield Rec, Kingston. Kingston 192 for 7 drew with Clapham Nomads 88 for 8 (BRADSHAW 43).
Nomads needed 193 to beat a Kingston side featuring the searing pace of Plunkett and Declan McArdle who got through 25 overs between them in this time game. A draw was probably the best we could hope for on a dodgy track at Fairfield (with its usual audience of street drinkers) and - below Hassan at 3 - one of Nomads' weakest batting line-ups. Mark stuck it out almost single-handedly with no-one else making more than 11 and, although he was out with 3 balls to go, the draw was ours. This was a classic defensive innings which had John raving all evening (in a good way.)
4) On 12/9/10 at Raynes Park Sports Ground. Clapham Nomads 220 for 4 (BRADSHAW 81 NOT OUT) beat Surbiton Imperials 186 for 8 by 34 runs.
This was memorable for a stand of a top class stand of 133 between Mark - hitting it straighter than usual if I remember - and Hassan. It was just brilliant chanceless batting from both players which brightened up a bitter-sweet day (it was Gopi's last game for us.) We hadn't played Imperials for years before this and the batting seems even better in retrospect when you consider how we have often struggled to make runs against them since.
5) On 3/8/08 at Dundonald Road, SW19. Clapham Nomads 294 for 5 (BRADSHAW 83) beat Kingston Lefthanders 70 for 7 on faster scoring rate.
A great knock despite the distractions of a dead crow lying on the outfield, lager cans lining the boundary, and balls being continually hit onto our field by Sri Lankan League players on the other pitch - to the chagrin of some Lefthanders Fielders who wanted to go and fight them. The bowling, led by "Meerkat" and "Brains" was only moderate but you've still got to hit it and Bradshaw did just that, stacking up 83, his highest score for Nomads, and sharing in our all-time club record partnership of 197 with Cameron Russell. Bradshaw batted so well that the former Rutland Schools player was described by the opposition as an Australian Ringer.
6) On 17/7/11 at Cox's Lane, Dulwich. Streatham & Marlborough 150 for 2 lost to Clapham Nomads 151 for 3 (BRADSHAW 56 NOT OUT) by 7 wickets.
Bradshaw led an excellent unbeaten 4th wicket stand of 72 with Darwin to secure a fine victory in a game that had looked lost - certainly to John who remarked loudly at one point (to the opposition's amusement); "We can't win this. We haven't got Riaz."
7) On 16/5/10 at Fishponds Rec, SW17. Clapham Nomads 180 for 8 (BRADSHAW 47) beat Kempton 72 for 4 by 4 runs (Duckworth Lewis Method).
A really memorable, amusing, game on a dreadful pitch. Mark's 47 held us together and his only consolation for missing out on his half-century was that he was dismissed by a spinner called Warne, who was an uncanny Andrew West lookalike.
8) On 14/9/08 at Dundonald Road. Energy Exiles 158 all out beat Clapham Nomads 94 all out (BRADSHAW 30) by 64 runs.
Mark's first game for Nomads against his old club and, despite facing severe sledging (or, as Exiles website put it, "some very droll remarks"), his hard-fought 30 was the only thing that gave some respectability to a Nomads batting order severely weakened by Ramadan and late season apathy which was basically put to the sword by a strong and fired up Exiles bowling line-up (Wingfield, Uttley, Gundry, Zielenewski and G. Thomas)
9) On 5/7/09 at Raynes Park Sports Ground. Caribbean Mix 169 all out lost to Clapham Nomads 175 for 3 (BRADSHAW 74) by 7 wickets.
This was a long way off Mark's best form, but he survived a string of chances to notch a match-winning 74 (though Hassan actually hit the winning runs with a 6 - happy days). As Mark snicked another one into the wicketkeeper's gloves - and out again - one of Caribbean's fielders memorably intoned; "Yes! Today is your day! Today you can do anything you want. Anything!"
10) On 6/6/10 at Northey Avenue, Cheam. Clapham Nomads 191 for 7 (BRADSHAW 51) lost to Bec Old Boys 194 for 8 by 2 wickets.
Just an archetypal Bradshaw innings really. Sound batting to hold the top order together on a decent track against strong and varied bowling.
Clapham Nomads v Touring Theatres - 11/8/13
A strong Touring Theatres side took ample revenge over Nomads at a sunny Abbey Rec. Theatres opened up with a formidable batting combination of Ben Tranchell and John Warnaby's cousin, Morre, who was rumoured to be a former Nottinghamshire 2nd XI player. It couldn't have started much better for Nomads when Todorow bowled Tranchell, Theatres' batting star from the previous game, for 0 on the 10th ball. Morre then chipped up a catchable chance of Emil's bowling when he was on 5 but this went to ground. From then on, Morre just took control and hit a memorable 120 Not Out, exacting a heavy very toll on all bowlers except Hassan, as he smashed 17 boundaries including 3 sixes to all parts of the ground, A really stylish and impressive innings - one of the highest individual scores recorded against Nomads. Decent support from David Bournes and Edwards saw Theatres up to 197 for 7 from the full 35.
Nomads have exceeded this score many times against Theatres, and the pitch was excellent, but there was a whisper going round that Morre was a bit of a bowler as well. We know Seethal is, but he hasn't had much luck against Nomads recently. On this occasion though, he snaffled Mahesh and Zia in his first 4 overs to start the slide. Hassan led a fightback almost single-handedly but no-one in the Middle Order could really stay with him. Bournes struck 2 big blows in removing Jim Siu and an admittedly injured Prasanth Pattiyil (to a possible unlucky LBW in Prasanth's case) and Nomads found themselves suddenly 91 for 6. Excellent batting from Johnny Randall in support of Hassan meant that, at 128 for 6, there were hopes but then 4 fairly quick wickets - 2 for Morre - accounted for the late order. Umpire Chris Kennedy did tell us in the pub later that he was thinking of offering the light to Emil Todorow as our skipper strolled out at No. 11 at 8.15 pm, but I think he was just being to nice to our skipper.
Anyway, well done Theatres on an excellent victory. I didn't play in this one but I heard it was an enjoyable day. Man of the Match was Hassan Khan - the best bowling and the top score. I'll have to get Emil to adjudicate on Fielder of the Day.
Touring Theatres 197 for 7 from 35 overs
B. Tranchell 0
Morre 120 not out
D. Bournes 22
Naseef 4
Seethal 0
Edwards 12
Toomey 0
Wolinski 0
D. Fieldhouse 1 not out
Did not bat: J. Warnaby, C. Robertson
Nomads bowling
H. Khan 7-2-20-1
E. Todorow 7-0-40-1
Zia 7-0-29-2
Abbas Khan 7-0-47-3
Zeeshan 5-1-26-0
J. Randall 2-0-11-0
Clapham Nomads 146 all out from 28.5 overs
M. Vyas 7
D. Gunawardena 3
Zia 10
H. Khan 61
R. Khan 7
J. Siu 1
P. Pattiyil 5
J. Randall 20 not out
Zeeshan 0
Abbas Khan 6
E. Todorow 0
F.O.W, - 6, 25, 56, 73, 75, 91, 128, 128, 135, 146
Touring Theatres won by 51 runs
Nomads have exceeded this score many times against Theatres, and the pitch was excellent, but there was a whisper going round that Morre was a bit of a bowler as well. We know Seethal is, but he hasn't had much luck against Nomads recently. On this occasion though, he snaffled Mahesh and Zia in his first 4 overs to start the slide. Hassan led a fightback almost single-handedly but no-one in the Middle Order could really stay with him. Bournes struck 2 big blows in removing Jim Siu and an admittedly injured Prasanth Pattiyil (to a possible unlucky LBW in Prasanth's case) and Nomads found themselves suddenly 91 for 6. Excellent batting from Johnny Randall in support of Hassan meant that, at 128 for 6, there were hopes but then 4 fairly quick wickets - 2 for Morre - accounted for the late order. Umpire Chris Kennedy did tell us in the pub later that he was thinking of offering the light to Emil Todorow as our skipper strolled out at No. 11 at 8.15 pm, but I think he was just being to nice to our skipper.
Anyway, well done Theatres on an excellent victory. I didn't play in this one but I heard it was an enjoyable day. Man of the Match was Hassan Khan - the best bowling and the top score. I'll have to get Emil to adjudicate on Fielder of the Day.
Touring Theatres 197 for 7 from 35 overs
B. Tranchell 0
Morre 120 not out
D. Bournes 22
Naseef 4
Seethal 0
Edwards 12
Toomey 0
Wolinski 0
D. Fieldhouse 1 not out
Did not bat: J. Warnaby, C. Robertson
Nomads bowling
H. Khan 7-2-20-1
E. Todorow 7-0-40-1
Zia 7-0-29-2
Abbas Khan 7-0-47-3
Zeeshan 5-1-26-0
J. Randall 2-0-11-0
Clapham Nomads 146 all out from 28.5 overs
M. Vyas 7
D. Gunawardena 3
Zia 10
H. Khan 61
R. Khan 7
J. Siu 1
P. Pattiyil 5
J. Randall 20 not out
Zeeshan 0
Abbas Khan 6
E. Todorow 0
F.O.W, - 6, 25, 56, 73, 75, 91, 128, 128, 135, 146
Touring Theatres won by 51 runs
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