Clapham Nomads v Charing Cross Hospital Staff - 30/6/19

Following the collapse of Nomads' fixture against Surbiton Imperials (it was rumoured they found watching England v India in the world cup more appealing than playing the Nomads - hard to believe, I know) we found well-matched replacements in Charing Cross Hospital Staff cc for our fixture on Sunday.
Our visitors won the toss and batted - Nomads insisting on 35 overs a side rather than 40 that "The Medics" wanted. It was just as well we decided on 35 - more of that later.
Anyway, just a brief summary until I get the scorebook back.  Nomads' bowling and fielding was a little lacklustre at times, with a notable exception being an excellent juggling reflex catch from Zia. There was a wicket on around 25 and we were not too badly placed at drinks with the visitors about 85 for 3 from 17. The batsmen, cut loose rather in the second half, with several overs going for 15 plus. The pitch was excellent, some of the boundaries short and the outfield rapid but Charing finished on 225 for 7 at tea which looked a very tall order.
In reply, Mahesh and Abdul once again started fairly well with about 30 for the 1st wicket but 2 quick wickets - Mahesh and Darwin - then fell. At drinks we were in a roughly similar position to where Charing Cross had been, but we had Hasan and Zia just beginning to get going. Zia surprisingly fell shortly afterwards for a good knock of 25 of so but excellent attacking stroke play from Hasan and Riaz began to rattle the opposition, without it seeming as if Nomads were in a winning position. The announcement that Nomads were on 160 with 66 needed at just over a run a ball seemed to shake the fielding side but was also followed by the departure of Hasan for an excellent 74. Fortunately Riaz kept his head in difficult circumstances and, with fine support from KK, kept Nomads in with a shout. With 18 needed off the last 2 overs, there was a lengthy delay as the wicketkeeper removed his pads and gloves and prepared to bowl.  If this was timewasting it backfired spectacularly as 12 were taken from the over and then, following another lengthy delay as the keeper put his gear back on again, Riaz hit 2 boundaries in 3 or 4 balls to finish on a match-winning 72 not out and secure a famous victory for the Nomads.
There was a fair bit of controversy, more of which when I do the update.

Charing Cross Hospital Staff - 225 for 8 from 35 overs

Nomads' bowling;

Zia  7-1-28-2
KK 7-1-43-2
Abbas  5-0-48-1
Riaz  6-1-18-1
Hasan  3-0-24-0
Emil  3-0-28-0
Abdul  2-0-6-0
Rayan  2-0-9-1

Clapham Nomads - 228 for 5 from 34.2 overs


Mahesh  11
Abdul  17
Darwin  1
Hasan  74
Zia  19
Riaz  72 not out
KK  17 not out

Did not bat; Abbas, Emil (capt), John (wkt), Rayan

F.O.W. - 27, 30, 39, 111, 164

Nomads won by 5 wickets.

Man of the match - Riaz
Fielder of the day - Zia