This was a tough way to start a season, facing a very talented side against whom we have possibly over-achieved with 3 wins in the last few seasons.
As this was too early in the year to book our usual pitches, we used the old stand-by of Beverley Park in New Malden. Although this is a perfectly serviceable venue, there is something vaguely depressing about it. It is also very poor ground for picking out the ball, and oddly this wasn't helped by the complete lack of leaves on the trees after a freezing April.
Anyway, enough waffle. Nomads fielded and claimed an encouraging early scalp with the very dangerous Surbiton opener Johnny caught nicely in the deep by Abbas off the bowling of Hassan Khan. That was the high-point for Nomads. Our bowling was respectable enough but a touch innocuous and the Away side steadily accumulated a formidable total, led by Siddique who made a chanceless half-century. The pick of the Nomads attack was probably Riaz but this was an ordinary effort from Clapham, though slow-medium bowler Andrew Meaden, on his debut, showed some promise with 2 tidy, Todorowesque overs near the end. Surbiton's total of 180 for 4 off 35 overs on a very slow, bowler-friendly wicket and a lush grassy outfield was worth well over 200 on a better maintained ground.
Imperials' paceman Tej struck early, having Mahesh Vyas caught behind third ball and, together with the ever-tidy Siddque, he made life tough for Nomads' top order, especially when Prasanth Pattiyil was bowled in the 5th over. Adnan Khan had looked anything but comfortable at first but, joined by Hassan, he began to relax and play some fine shots. Hassan looked in the mood and the 50 stand came up in reasonable time but with Nomads still behind the rate and with the batting below 4 having a distinctly threadbare look. Adnan survived an extremely confident appeal with the score in the 90s (I can't remember what it was for now, but voices were raised) but was adjudged LBW soon afterwards. Chris Kennedy fell next ball. Nick Lefebve supported Hassan in a stand of 29 but overs were running out. Under pressure for quick runs, Hassan went for a massive hit but edged it to the keeper. As John so perceptively pointed out in the scorebook; "Once Hassan was out it was game over." The only player in the lower order to show much was Andrew Meaden who stroked a promising 10 but Nomads tailed off and were dismissed in the penultimate over - 36 runs short.
Man of the Match was Hassan on his 100th appearance for the club, which we celebrated with chocolate cake - possibly the highlight of the day. Fielder of the Day was Abbas for his cool catch to dismiss Surbiton's danger man.
To cap a fairly unsatisfactory day, the changing rooms had mysteriously become locked at close of play - even though we finished early. The groundsman had vanished. The only person to suffer from this was one ot the Surbiton players who said that; "My clothes are in there, but nothing really important." I hope he got his gear back in the end.
Surbiton Imperials (180 for 4 from 35 overs) beat Clapham Nomads (144 all out from 33.4 overs) by 36 runs.
M.Vyas - 0
P. Pattiyil - 3
Adnan Khan - 35
H. Khan - 68
C. Kennedy - 0
N. Lefebve - 1
R. Khan - 0
A. Meaden - 10 not out
Abbas Khan - 1
E. Todorow - 1
J. Crossland - 1
F.O.W. - 2, 8, 99, 99, 128, 128, 128, 129, 134, 144
H. Khan 7-1-22-1
E. Todorow 5-0-24-0
R. Khan 7-0-25-2
Abbas Khan 7-0-23-1
Adnan Khan 7-0-50-0
A. Meaden 2-0-12-0
Monday, 29 April 2013
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
First match this Sunday
Just to let you know that the first match of the season will be this Sunday 28th April in New Malden. Emil will be ringing everyone today or tomorrow. Look forward to seeing you all. Nick
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Annual Meeting and Player of the Year
Nomads held our Annual Meeting at the Chatkhara Restaurant in Clapham South the Sunday before last. It seemed as if we were eating for hours and all for under £10. It was no surprise that Hassan Khan was voted Player of the Year, Batsman of the Year and also Bowler of the Year. Abdul Khan was Fielder of the Year.
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Batting Averages - 2012
Hassan Khan - 458 runs @ 50.89
Mark Bradshaw - 153 runs @ 30.60
Zia - 60 runs @ 30.00
Prasanth Pattiyil - 192 runs @ 24.00
Darwin - 198 runs @ 18.00
Abdul Khan - 99 runs @ 16.50
Mahesh Vyas - 171 runs @ 14.25
Chris Kennedy - 17 runs @ 8.50
Nick Lefebve - 22 runs @ 7.33
Riaz Khan - 22 runs @ 7.33
Emil Todorow - 27 runs @ 6.75
Chris Kee - 39 runs @ 4.88
John Crossland - 14 runs @ 4.67
Abbas Khan - 6 runs @ 3.00
Bowling averages to follow
Mark Bradshaw - 153 runs @ 30.60
Zia - 60 runs @ 30.00
Prasanth Pattiyil - 192 runs @ 24.00
Darwin - 198 runs @ 18.00
Abdul Khan - 99 runs @ 16.50
Mahesh Vyas - 171 runs @ 14.25
Chris Kennedy - 17 runs @ 8.50
Nick Lefebve - 22 runs @ 7.33
Riaz Khan - 22 runs @ 7.33
Emil Todorow - 27 runs @ 6.75
Chris Kee - 39 runs @ 4.88
John Crossland - 14 runs @ 4.67
Abbas Khan - 6 runs @ 3.00
Bowling averages to follow
Hassan Khan - All-time Top Run Scorer
Congratulations to Hassan for finally passing John Chance's formidable record total of runs for Nomads. A tribute to the Bradmanesque Postal Worker will follow soon in these pages.
Abdul Khan - 100 up
Abdul's excellent batting against Burgh Heath in the final game of 2012 was a fitting way for our popular all-rounder to celebrate his 100th appearance for Clapham Nomads. He is the first player apart from the founder members (Todorow, Crossland, Lefebve and the Chance brothers) to reach this landmark.
I remember Abdul's first appearance for the team back in 2001 as a lively Medium Fast bowler. I would have to say that his bowling hasn't lost much, if any, pace in the last 11 years, despite various injuries.
He is a really nice guy and has been a pleasure to have in the team. He often brings his family along which makes for a nice atmosphere. It was great to meet his father a few weeks ago.
He is probably one of the most enjoyable Nomads players to watch. Apart from his bowling which often surprises opponents by coming on just a bit quicker than they expect, he produces from time a time an emphatic burst of shots, as he did in the Burgh Heath game. These tend to transform tight run chases into comfortable victories. What stands out for me, though, is his fielding. He is the best attacking thrower in the club and I cannot think of a better one in any of the teams we play either. I particularly enjoy watching some cocky youngster thinking he will sneak a cheeky single to the grey-haired chap at Cover Point or wherever. The result is more often than not a direct hit and very often a run out. This certainly makes opposing batsmen think twice before taking liberties with Abdul. They sometimes also make the mistake of assuming that all other Nomads fielders are lethal throwing machines as well.
Abdul is a very talented all-round sportsman. He has represented Great Britain at Carrom which, to simplify greatly, is a kind of cross between pool and shove-ha'penny but with much more skill. I watched Abdul in the European Championships a few years back and he just wiped the Italian No. 1 off the board. I also found out recently that he was not far away from international selection at Hockey for Pakistan back in the 80s.
It's been a pleasure playing with you Abdul. I hope there will be many more appearances.
I remember Abdul's first appearance for the team back in 2001 as a lively Medium Fast bowler. I would have to say that his bowling hasn't lost much, if any, pace in the last 11 years, despite various injuries.
He is a really nice guy and has been a pleasure to have in the team. He often brings his family along which makes for a nice atmosphere. It was great to meet his father a few weeks ago.
He is probably one of the most enjoyable Nomads players to watch. Apart from his bowling which often surprises opponents by coming on just a bit quicker than they expect, he produces from time a time an emphatic burst of shots, as he did in the Burgh Heath game. These tend to transform tight run chases into comfortable victories. What stands out for me, though, is his fielding. He is the best attacking thrower in the club and I cannot think of a better one in any of the teams we play either. I particularly enjoy watching some cocky youngster thinking he will sneak a cheeky single to the grey-haired chap at Cover Point or wherever. The result is more often than not a direct hit and very often a run out. This certainly makes opposing batsmen think twice before taking liberties with Abdul. They sometimes also make the mistake of assuming that all other Nomads fielders are lethal throwing machines as well.
Abdul is a very talented all-round sportsman. He has represented Great Britain at Carrom which, to simplify greatly, is a kind of cross between pool and shove-ha'penny but with much more skill. I watched Abdul in the European Championships a few years back and he just wiped the Italian No. 1 off the board. I also found out recently that he was not far away from international selection at Hockey for Pakistan back in the 80s.
It's been a pleasure playing with you Abdul. I hope there will be many more appearances.
Thursday, 27 September 2012
Tea of the Year Result
Congratulations go out to Streatham & Marlborough cc's Catering Dept who prepared Nomads Opposition Tea of the Year for 2012. At the end of May, I didn't think anyone could top Caribbean Mix's tea - it was scrumptious, one of Mr and Mrs Ferguson's best.
However, it is theoretically possible that there might be someone out there who doesn't love spicy chicken and rice followed by exotic cake and therefore S & M spanked the opposition and scooped the prize. Their tea had just about everything. I'm quite a picky eater despite my size and I had 3 platefuls. If I remember correctly, there were sandwiches, chicken pieces, pies, sausages, samosas, stuff for veggies and a few things that I couldn't identify but were being demolished with relish by team-mates. There was tea, juice/squash or water. For dessert there was a fine choice of cakes which prompted one of Nomads' most energetic fielding performances, including Battenberg - always a double points scorer when assessing any cricket tea.
Well done Streatham and thanks very much. The prize was intended to be Supper for Two with Andrew West and I would have been happy to facilitate this but, in light of Mr West's (currently unofficial) suspension by the club I will have to think of something else. Perhaps lunch at the highly-rated Life cafe in Streatham High Road, SW16. I will contact the club shortly.
However, it is theoretically possible that there might be someone out there who doesn't love spicy chicken and rice followed by exotic cake and therefore S & M spanked the opposition and scooped the prize. Their tea had just about everything. I'm quite a picky eater despite my size and I had 3 platefuls. If I remember correctly, there were sandwiches, chicken pieces, pies, sausages, samosas, stuff for veggies and a few things that I couldn't identify but were being demolished with relish by team-mates. There was tea, juice/squash or water. For dessert there was a fine choice of cakes which prompted one of Nomads' most energetic fielding performances, including Battenberg - always a double points scorer when assessing any cricket tea.
Well done Streatham and thanks very much. The prize was intended to be Supper for Two with Andrew West and I would have been happy to facilitate this but, in light of Mr West's (currently unofficial) suspension by the club I will have to think of something else. Perhaps lunch at the highly-rated Life cafe in Streatham High Road, SW16. I will contact the club shortly.
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