Ham and Petersham v Clapham Nomads - 28/4/19

PROVISIONAL REPORT -

Clapham Nomads began their season with a hard-fought draw against old friends Ham and Petersham last Sunday. 
I was sleeping while this match was being played so here is a brief account based on the unbiased words of Mr Emil Todorow.
Nomads' skipper Todorow inserted the strong-looking home side and Clapham did quite well to keep them to 225 for 4. Hasan took a fine catch on the boundary to give Emil a wicket just after the Bulgarian-born legend had been hit for 2 successive sixes. Riaz took one of the other wickets, suddenly producing a good straight one just after bowling 2 wide leg breaks. Emil praised Riaz's variation but was apparently berated by outspoken keeper John Crossland for talking ***t!
Nomads lost Darwin early on and then Mahesh stuck it out well against a very strong new ball attack before departing. There was a return for Rafi who played some cracking shots in a cameo of  15. Emil told me that the top scorers were Hasan and Abbas but regular wickets fell, although we were still only around 7 down when KK saw it off at the end to secure a fairly comfortable draw. Apparently our cause was greatly helped when one of the Home side's star bowlers walked off after an exchange of views with his captain.
Not a bad start for the Clapham side. Sounds like the Man of the Match might have been Hasan but I'll wait until I see the scorebook.


UPDATED REPORT - I now have the scorebook and notice that this match was much closer than I had been told.  Nomads only faced 33 overs in this time game and so the target of 226 was always going to be very tough. However, a brilliant innings of 83 from Hasan had us looking very respectable at 154 for 5 before he was run out. Had he gone on to get his ton, we could have been in a position to claim a winning draw but 2 late wickets left Nomads on 166 for 7 which was still a very decent performance. Abbas was probably the pick of the bowlers with a tight 7-over spell which only went for 28. Riaz took 2 of the 4 wickets to fall.


Ham and Petersham 225 for 4 from 37 overs

Nomads' bowling -
Sami  6-0-30-0
Zia  5-0-31-0
KK  7-0-35-1
Abbas  7-0-28-0
Hasan  2-0-21-0
Riaz  6-0-42-2
Emil  4-0-34-1

Clapham Nomads  166 for 7 from 33 overs

Mahesh  0
Darwin  1
Rafi  15
Hasan  83
Zia  2
Riaz  19
Abbas  25
KK  0 not out
Sami  0 not out
Did not bat: Emil (capt), John (Wkt)
F.O.W. - 6, 21, 37, 61, 94, 154, 166

Man of the Match - Hasan
Fielder of the Day - Hasan