Nomads won an incredible game by 1 run - our narrowest-ever winning margin, I think - away at Northfields' ground in London W5 yesterday in a 30-overs a side contest.
Actually, the most miraculous thing about this match was that it was played at all. I had to put up a guarantee of a fairly decent sum of money in case there was damage caused by Nomads' players to the properties bordering the ground (presumably from big shots, but - who knows - maybe from other causes as well.) I hasten to add that Nomads have never damaged any property***, despite our many big hitters, but apparently some of Northfields' other opponents have. I would have cancelled the game if it was not for the dread of having to organise another match while working night shift. Then, yesterday morning, I started receiving dire warnings of torrential rain, hail, frogs, tsunamis etc in West London (from the BBC and from the opposition) and some Nomads wanted the game cancelled - I'm very glad that I did not do so. Finally, Emil did brilliantly to take a 13-man squad to Ealing - which most Nomads assume is quite near Cardiff.
Anyway, enough self-indulgent waffle. Nomads batted (? we were inserted) on a very green track with variable bounce and were soon 10 for 3. A half-century stand between Riaz and Hassan ( of which, amazingly, Hassan only scored 4 but played a fine support role) followed. The main act was Riaz who played possibly his finest innings for the club with a devastating 52, including 22 off the last 10 balls from Kent, Northfields' best bowler, who had been unplayable until that point.
Once these two departed, the innings tailed off a bit but some fine hitting from Abbas (16) took us over the 100 at least.
After just a few spots of rain the skies brightened after tea but Nomads looked clear second favourites, especially when the 1st over of the home side's reply (from Abbas) went for 13. Emil claims he then "said something" to Abbas and, whatever it was, it should be patented as Abbas did not concede a single scoring shot in his remaining 5 overs. Sami also bowled very well, going for only 10 off his 6 overs but the best bowling was from Zia who ended with the remarkable figures of 4 for 6 off 6 overs. This was absolutely top-class pace bowling; John said it was the best collective bowling he had seen from a Nomads attack.
The low target, plus some byes conceded by stand-in keeper Mahesh, who otherwise had a good day behind the stumps, meant that the West London outfit were not totally out of the hunt at any stage. Faseeh, Hassan, Javed and KK bowled respectably and only 80 runs were scored in the 28 overs between the end of the first and the start of the last. Northfields needed 12 to win (with 1 or 2 wickets remaining) from the final over, bowled by KK. 6 were needed from the last 3 and then, I'm told by Emil and John, the ball went through to keeper Mahesh who did not take it cleanly but removed the bails in a reflex "stumping action." An umpire decided that this constituted a No Ball and initially wanted to give 2 runs for the no ball (I don't think that has been done on Sunday cricket for 15 years). The official backed down on the 2 issue but insisted that it was a no ball due to Mahesh removing the bails. I wasn't there but it all sounds quite random (rather like stating that a bowler wearing green socks means 4 is given to the batting side) but I'll probably check the rules - sorry, laws - and end up with egg on my face as usual. Anyway, 1 was given for the no ball, the batsmen also ran 1 off this ball and, with the extra delivery, 4 were needed off 3. Thankfully, our fielders, who had been a tad "puzzled" by the decision soon had something to celebrate as only 2 further singles were scored with a run out off the final ball. Nomads had won by the minimum margin. Amazing scenes.
Man of the Match - You would not often take 4 for 6 off 6 overs and not be man of the match but Zia is unlucky to miss out to an incredible display of hitting by Riaz (he even managed to avoid smashing any windows.) His 52 is put into context by the next highest score on either side being 16.
I will do Fielder of the Day and update the scores and report when I get the scorebook back.
Nomads won by 1 run.
*** The oak tree on Wandsworth Common?
Clapham Nomads 104 all out from 21.5 overs
Mahesh 6
Darwin 1
Javed 0
Hassan 4
Riaz 52
Zia 9
Faseeh 4
KK 3
Abbas 16
Sami 4
Emil not out 0
F.O.W. - 7, 7, 10, 62, 67, 71, 83, 83, 100, 104
Northfields 103 for 9 from 30 overs
Nomads' bowling;
Abbas 6-4-10-1
Sami 6-2-10-0
Zia 6-2-6-4
Hassan 1-0-4-0
Faseeh 5-0-23-1
Javed 3-0-14-0
KK 3-0-16-1
Man of the Match - Riaz
Fielder of the Day - ??
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