Clapham Nomads v Energy Exiles - 25/8/19

Nomads entertained our old friends Energy Exiles on a scorching day at Joseph Hood over the Bank Holiday. Although it is always good to see the Exiles, and they brought some familiar faces along, for the second time this season one of the greatest days in English cricket was being played out while we were being given the run around on one of Merton's bleakest grounds.
With Emil still away, Hasan skippered but unfortunately lost the toss. In 93 degree heat, Exiles unsurprisingly batted and we faced a tough afternoon of fielding, punctuated only by extra drinks breaks. In Keith Roberts and Bilal Musakhel, Exiles had a fine left-hand / right-hand partnership. Nomads' bowling was decent and we kept the rate below 4 an over until the 15th over when the pair began to kick on. Bilal made a fine 50 with Keith looking unshiftable as ever. Having said that, quite a few chances went down and Nomads fielding was not the best it has been - understandable given the extreme conditions.
Bilal fell to a smart stumping bt keeper Crossland off the bowling of Hasan in the 21st over but then a string of right-handers gave the left-handed Roberts good support as he upper the tempo. Roberts seemes to have got even better recently. In the heyday of Nomads-Exiles games 10 years ago, he could always be relied on for a steady 30 but he seems to score a 50 every time he plays against us now.
Keith was eventually out for 70 in the final over. It was good to see Amil Patel; I haven't seen him for a few years and he chipped in with some runs at the end as Exiles finished on 183 for 5. Captain Hasan was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 24 but everyone returned reasonable figures.
184 is a total Nomads have scored on quite a few occasions at Joseph Hood but we would need to be at our best against what was likely to be crafty bowling.
It was a vintage Exiles opening attack with Naren Patel opening his box of tricks from the Pavilion End and Phil Ling somehow getting a very dusty ball to swing sharply from the Back Gardens End. Our early batting has been patchy this year and we were soon 14 for 3 with Mahesh run out, Hayan falling to Naren and Phil swinging one in skilfully to bowl Sami. Abdul and Zia put on 29 for the 4th wicket before Abdul fell to a memorable Roberts family wicket. Keith's son, the useful medium pacer Alex, inducing a lofted shot from Abdul which was scooped by a diving Keith at Mid-Off.
It was clear a lot was going to depend on Zia and Hasan - where have I heard that before. I had to leave for work at this point and it took me about 15 minutes to limp round the ground and, as I left the car park, Zia and Hasan were still there so there was some hope.
Exiles legend Andy Wingfield turned up at half-time. He had been injured while playing the previous day and had made the surprising decision to watch the end of the Test Match rather than savouring the raw excitement of Joseph Hood cricket. He arrived once Ben Stokes had completed his heroics and he offered to umpire in Nomads' innings. I know Andy has long been an admirer of Nomads' very high standard of unbiased umpiring and it seemed he was learning fast when he turned down a vociferous appeal for caught behind early on. However he did give Zia LBW for 30 off the bowling of Naren but, to be fair, most of those present thought it was out.
Hasan was still there and batting excellently. Partners came and went until, with 39 needed, last man John Crossland joined him in the middle. Hasan was in full flight, and John is a capable defensive player on his day, so we still had a reasonable chance in the time remaining. They made 15 before Hasan (Stokes) was rather unluckily bowled by a ball deflecting off his body leaving John (Leach) stranded on 0 not out.
Still it was a reasonable game and it was good to see some old Exiles faces. If it had been 20 degress cooler it might have been an enjoyable day.

Energy Exiles 183 for 5 from 35 overs (K.Roberts 70, B. Musakhel 60)

Nomads' bowling;

Abbas 7-2-33-1
Zaman  5-0-22-0
Sami  5-1-29-0
Zia  6-0-36-0
Hasan  6-1-24-3
Abdul 6-1-35-1

Clapham Nomads 160 for 8 (all out) from 28.4 overs

Mahesh  run out 7
Hayan  b N.Patel  6
Sami b P.Ling  0
Abdul c K.Roberts b A.Roberts 19
Zia  lbw N. Patel 30
Hasan (capt) b Iqbal  73
Abbas  c ---------- b Iqbal  4
Zaman  b P. Ling  0
John (wkt)  not out 0
Did not bat; Nick (had to leave for work)

F.O.W. - 14, 14, 14, 43, 126, 140, 145, 160

Nomads lost by 23 runs.

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