Sunday, 10 November 2013
Trent Copeland - Clapham Nomads to Australia
Congratulations to Trent, who played a match for the Nomads in 2008 and went on to make three full Test appearances for Australia in 2011, on dismissing Kevin Pietersen LBW for Australia A in Hobart recently. Apparently it was pretty plumb, but we wonder if it would have been given out in a Nomads match. Hope you win your Test place back soon, Trent.
Thursday, 19 September 2013
Clapham Nomads Averages for 2013 season
Batting (Qualification - 3 Matches played, 2 innings)
Zia 202 runs @ 40.40
Gul 256 runs @ 28.44
Hassan Khan 329 runs @ 27.42
Prasanth Pattiyil 189 runs @ 18.90
Riaz Khan 184 runs @ 18.40
Darwin Gunawardena 201 runs @ 18.27
Adnan Khan 54 runs @ 18.00
Jonnie Randall 34 runs @ 17.00
Abbas Khan 66 runs @ 9.43
Mahesh Vyas 122 runs @ 8.13
Abdul Khan 66 runs @ 7.33
Nick Lefebve 43 runs @ 7.17
Sami 10 runs @ 5.00
Emil Todorow 26 runs @ 4.33
Chris Kennedy 14 runs @ 2.80
John Crossland 1 run @ 1.00
Andrew West 0 runs @ 0.00
Bowling (Qualification - 3 Matches played, 2 wickets, 2 bowling spells)
Hassan Khan 22 wickets @ 16.23
Riaz Khan 12 wickets @ 19.08
Zia 9 wickets @ 20.00
Abbas Khan 20 wickets @ 21.95
Emil Todorow 14 wickets @ 25.21
Andrew West 3 wickets @ 26.00
Sami 2 wickets @ 33.50
Abdul Khan 7 wickets @ 37.14
Fielding
The highest number of dismissals was 10 by Mahesh Vyas (all as wicketkeeper - 7 catches, 3 stumpings.)
The highest number of catches by an outfielder was 8 by Abbas Khan.
Zia 202 runs @ 40.40
Gul 256 runs @ 28.44
Hassan Khan 329 runs @ 27.42
Prasanth Pattiyil 189 runs @ 18.90
Riaz Khan 184 runs @ 18.40
Darwin Gunawardena 201 runs @ 18.27
Adnan Khan 54 runs @ 18.00
Jonnie Randall 34 runs @ 17.00
Abbas Khan 66 runs @ 9.43
Mahesh Vyas 122 runs @ 8.13
Abdul Khan 66 runs @ 7.33
Nick Lefebve 43 runs @ 7.17
Sami 10 runs @ 5.00
Emil Todorow 26 runs @ 4.33
Chris Kennedy 14 runs @ 2.80
John Crossland 1 run @ 1.00
Andrew West 0 runs @ 0.00
Bowling (Qualification - 3 Matches played, 2 wickets, 2 bowling spells)
Hassan Khan 22 wickets @ 16.23
Riaz Khan 12 wickets @ 19.08
Zia 9 wickets @ 20.00
Abbas Khan 20 wickets @ 21.95
Emil Todorow 14 wickets @ 25.21
Andrew West 3 wickets @ 26.00
Sami 2 wickets @ 33.50
Abdul Khan 7 wickets @ 37.14
Fielding
The highest number of dismissals was 10 by Mahesh Vyas (all as wicketkeeper - 7 catches, 3 stumpings.)
The highest number of catches by an outfielder was 8 by Abbas Khan.
2013 Season Summary
Nomads played 15 matches in 2013 (up from 12 last year) with only one affected by the weather right at the very end of the game. Our final record was;
Won 5
Drew 2
Lost 8.
When you consider we lost our first 5 games, and 6 of our first 7, it wasn't a bad year despite losing key players to resignation and injury. It was certainly a more enjoyable season than 2012. We will have our annual meeting in Clapham South in late November or early December. I have put the averages in the next post. Nominations for Players of the Year etc are;
Batsman of the Year; Gul, Hassan, Zia
Bowler of the Year; Hassan, Abbas
Fielder of the Year; Mahesh, Hassan, Abbas, Abdul, Darwin
Player of the Year; Hassan, Riaz, Zia, Gul, Abbas
If anyone wants to nominate anybody else, let me know. We will vote at the Meeting.
Won 5
Drew 2
Lost 8.
When you consider we lost our first 5 games, and 6 of our first 7, it wasn't a bad year despite losing key players to resignation and injury. It was certainly a more enjoyable season than 2012. We will have our annual meeting in Clapham South in late November or early December. I have put the averages in the next post. Nominations for Players of the Year etc are;
Batsman of the Year; Gul, Hassan, Zia
Bowler of the Year; Hassan, Abbas
Fielder of the Year; Mahesh, Hassan, Abbas, Abdul, Darwin
Player of the Year; Hassan, Riaz, Zia, Gul, Abbas
If anyone wants to nominate anybody else, let me know. We will vote at the Meeting.
Monday, 9 September 2013
Dulwich v Clapham Nomads - 8/9/13
Nomads lost by 7 wickets to a talented Dulwich Development XI on Sunday. Nomads made 198 for 9 and were felt to be in such a reasonable position that skipper Todorow declared. Excellent batting from Dulwich, however, saw them home with 10 balls to spare. Riaz was the batting star for Clapham with his second half-century in successive games. A fine second wicket partnership of 72 between Gul and Darwin had given us a good platform Bowling and especially fielding weren't so great with every bowler going for at least 4 an over - several for considerably more - and a string of dropped catches. Z.Rostami was Dulwich's matchwinner with a punishing 98 not out. There was a big shout for caught behind when he was on about 50. John Crossland held on to the chance well in his first match back The general Nomads consensus was that this was rather close and would have gone to the Decision Review System, but who knows; Dulwich may have had even more destructive batsmen further down the order. They had certainly already done enough to pretty much guarantee a draw at least.
Man of the Match was Riaz Khan. It is a shame the season is over just as he is providing great entertainment. Abbas fielded well with a run out and the only catch but Fielder of the Day was John who did well on his return from a 15-week injury lay-off. He held on to what could conceivably have been given as a catch and he only conceded 1 bye.
Clapham Nomads 198 for 8 declared (43 overs)
M. Vyas 3
Gul 44
D. Gunawardena 38
H. Khan 10
R. Khan 57
Abdul Khan 3
C. Kennedy 3
Sami 6
E. Todorow 4
Abbas Khan not out 14
J. Crossland not out 0
F.O.W. - 11, 83, 94, 145, 160, 163, 169, 175, 194
Dulwich 203 for 3 (32.2 overs)
Sami 8-0-35-0
H. Khan 10-1-44-1
Abbas Khan 6.2-0-49-0
E. Todorow 3-0-22-0
Abdul Khan 2-0-21-0
Riaz Khan 3-0-27-1
Clapham Nomads lost by 7 wickets
Man of the Match was Riaz Khan. It is a shame the season is over just as he is providing great entertainment. Abbas fielded well with a run out and the only catch but Fielder of the Day was John who did well on his return from a 15-week injury lay-off. He held on to what could conceivably have been given as a catch and he only conceded 1 bye.
Clapham Nomads 198 for 8 declared (43 overs)
M. Vyas 3
Gul 44
D. Gunawardena 38
H. Khan 10
R. Khan 57
Abdul Khan 3
C. Kennedy 3
Sami 6
E. Todorow 4
Abbas Khan not out 14
J. Crossland not out 0
F.O.W. - 11, 83, 94, 145, 160, 163, 169, 175, 194
Dulwich 203 for 3 (32.2 overs)
Sami 8-0-35-0
H. Khan 10-1-44-1
Abbas Khan 6.2-0-49-0
E. Todorow 3-0-22-0
Abdul Khan 2-0-21-0
Riaz Khan 3-0-27-1
Clapham Nomads lost by 7 wickets
Thursday, 5 September 2013
Clapham Nomads v Barnes Occasionals - 1/9/13
Nomads won a tight game at Joseph Hood by 14 runs on Sunday.
Inserted by Barnes on a slow pitch, we struggled to score freely against their new man Bunyan and the experienced trickery and control of Ollie Hogg and Keith Seed. Hardly anyone missed out completely with the bat. Mahesh and Darwin carved out a gritty opening partnership of 20 in 8 and a half overs. The pick of the top order was the consistent Prasanth Pattiyil with a useful 21. It was felt that 120 could be enough but a steady flow of wickets - caused by frustration with the slow progress as well as the tight bowling - and some silly run outs in the late-middle order found us on 86 for 8 as last man Emil Todorow walked to the crease. Fortunately, exciting strokemaker Riaz Khan was just beginning to find his eye; he just needed someone to stay with him. Cometh the hour, cometh Todorow.. He blocked everything Occasionals could throw at him while Riaz blasted his way to a flamboyant 52, his highest score for the club. Riaz took a particularly heavy toll on Tom Hooker as he peppered the mid-wicket and straight boundaries. The stand realised an excellent and vital 44 before Riaz fell in the penultimate over.
Nomads appeared slight favourites and this feeling increased when Prasanth took a vital catch to dismiss Price with 12 on the board. Sami, Hassan and Emil imposed a stranglehold for a while after this as Barnes struggled to exceed 2 an over off this awkward trio. As last week though, the pick of the bowlers was Abbas who has been on fire since the mid-summer break. Fast, straight and with the vague threat of bounce, he ran through the Occasionals middle-order and achieved his first 5-wicket haul for Nomads. I had to leave for work with around 12 overs to go and Barnes were something like 50 for 6, needing to score at almost 7 an over. It appeared all over and I was surprised when Emil told me the next day we were possibly quite fortunate to win. The expected dangerman Rohit Benjamin skied one to wicketkeeper Mahesh Vyas but this brought J. Bunyan to the crease and his excellent attacking knock made Barnes favourites for a period. It took a pressure catch by Abbas at Mid-Off to remove Bunyan for 37 and turn the tide. Barnes bat right down the order though and Nomads were slightly fortunate that the light was fading markedly as last man Ollie Hogg was bowled by Abdul on the last ball of the penultimate over with the Away side 14 short. Had he survived, it would have been Hogg and Keith Seed requiring 15 off the final over which one assumes would have been bowled by Todorow. This would have been a mouth-watering prospect. Three of the great characters of South London Sunday Cricket going head to head. 2 of the least hairy players against one of the hairiest. I would love to have seen this but it was not to be. Actually, sincere apologies to Barnes that several of us were late. There was a large fire somewhere near Morden and traffic was atrocious but that it is not really a valid excuse. We probably should have played 30-overs-a-side though.
Man of the Match was Riaz for his match-winning innings. Particular praise also to Emil for his vital stonewalling and to Abbas for his 5-wicket spell. Abbas was Fielder of the Day for taking what was probably the match-winning catch.
Clapham Nomads 130 all out in 33.4 overs
M. Vyas 6
D. Gunawardena 7
P. Pattiyil 21
H. Khan 7
Abdul Khan 5
R. Khan 52
N. Lefebve 4
Sami 4
Abbas Khan 1
E. Todorow 0 not out
F.O.W. - 20, 20, 33, 53, 58, 69, 78, 86, 130
Barnes Occasionals 116 all out in 34 overs (J. Bunyan 37)
Sami 7-2-19-1
H. Khan 7-2-9-1
E. Todorow 6-2-14-1
Abbas Khan 7-2-26-5
R. Khan 2-0-13-0
Abdul Khan 5-0-27-2
Clapham Nomads won by 14 runs
Inserted by Barnes on a slow pitch, we struggled to score freely against their new man Bunyan and the experienced trickery and control of Ollie Hogg and Keith Seed. Hardly anyone missed out completely with the bat. Mahesh and Darwin carved out a gritty opening partnership of 20 in 8 and a half overs. The pick of the top order was the consistent Prasanth Pattiyil with a useful 21. It was felt that 120 could be enough but a steady flow of wickets - caused by frustration with the slow progress as well as the tight bowling - and some silly run outs in the late-middle order found us on 86 for 8 as last man Emil Todorow walked to the crease. Fortunately, exciting strokemaker Riaz Khan was just beginning to find his eye; he just needed someone to stay with him. Cometh the hour, cometh Todorow.. He blocked everything Occasionals could throw at him while Riaz blasted his way to a flamboyant 52, his highest score for the club. Riaz took a particularly heavy toll on Tom Hooker as he peppered the mid-wicket and straight boundaries. The stand realised an excellent and vital 44 before Riaz fell in the penultimate over.
Nomads appeared slight favourites and this feeling increased when Prasanth took a vital catch to dismiss Price with 12 on the board. Sami, Hassan and Emil imposed a stranglehold for a while after this as Barnes struggled to exceed 2 an over off this awkward trio. As last week though, the pick of the bowlers was Abbas who has been on fire since the mid-summer break. Fast, straight and with the vague threat of bounce, he ran through the Occasionals middle-order and achieved his first 5-wicket haul for Nomads. I had to leave for work with around 12 overs to go and Barnes were something like 50 for 6, needing to score at almost 7 an over. It appeared all over and I was surprised when Emil told me the next day we were possibly quite fortunate to win. The expected dangerman Rohit Benjamin skied one to wicketkeeper Mahesh Vyas but this brought J. Bunyan to the crease and his excellent attacking knock made Barnes favourites for a period. It took a pressure catch by Abbas at Mid-Off to remove Bunyan for 37 and turn the tide. Barnes bat right down the order though and Nomads were slightly fortunate that the light was fading markedly as last man Ollie Hogg was bowled by Abdul on the last ball of the penultimate over with the Away side 14 short. Had he survived, it would have been Hogg and Keith Seed requiring 15 off the final over which one assumes would have been bowled by Todorow. This would have been a mouth-watering prospect. Three of the great characters of South London Sunday Cricket going head to head. 2 of the least hairy players against one of the hairiest. I would love to have seen this but it was not to be. Actually, sincere apologies to Barnes that several of us were late. There was a large fire somewhere near Morden and traffic was atrocious but that it is not really a valid excuse. We probably should have played 30-overs-a-side though.
Man of the Match was Riaz for his match-winning innings. Particular praise also to Emil for his vital stonewalling and to Abbas for his 5-wicket spell. Abbas was Fielder of the Day for taking what was probably the match-winning catch.
Clapham Nomads 130 all out in 33.4 overs
M. Vyas 6
D. Gunawardena 7
P. Pattiyil 21
H. Khan 7
Abdul Khan 5
R. Khan 52
N. Lefebve 4
Sami 4
Abbas Khan 1
E. Todorow 0 not out
F.O.W. - 20, 20, 33, 53, 58, 69, 78, 86, 130
Barnes Occasionals 116 all out in 34 overs (J. Bunyan 37)
Sami 7-2-19-1
H. Khan 7-2-9-1
E. Todorow 6-2-14-1
Abbas Khan 7-2-26-5
R. Khan 2-0-13-0
Abdul Khan 5-0-27-2
Clapham Nomads won by 14 runs
Monday, 26 August 2013
Clapham Nomads v Energy Exiles - 18/8/13
Like ourselves, Exiles had been struggling a bit for players since early July (in fact several Nomads had turned out for them in that time) but, inevitably, it was a pretty strong-looking Exiles line-up that turned out for this latest renewal at Cottenham Park.
Exiles batted first and new man Sami, bowling a nice full length with good accuracy and outswing, took the downhill end, with Emil Todorow - who had had 2 hours sleep and made an early morning dash from Dover to avoid breaking his incredible run of successive appearances - toiling away uphill. Understandably, Todorow was not quite at his best and Exiles skipper John Tither went after him, pulling a huge six off Emil's third ball. Tither scored 140 earlier this season at this ground and there was something ominous about the way he started; several more powerful boundaries forcing Todorow to replace himself with Hassan. Our star all-rounder rarely goes uphill and the wisdom of the move looked in doubt as Tither continued his sparkling form with a string of boundaries wide of mid-off, though having to ration himself increasingly as Hassan found his line and length. A maiden from Hassan perceptibly altered the mood and a short one from the same bowler in his following over was cut uppishly by Tither to Backward Point where Darwin took an excellent and vital catch to dismiss this fine player for 34 scored at a run a ball.
Jasper Searle joined Will Kent and the pair took the Away side up to 57 for 1 with few alarms. We would probably have settled for 180 at this point but a vital wicket for Hassan coincided with the appearance of some high, irregular bounce at the uphill end. It must be said that few balls got above arm height so the danger to batsmen was to their stats rather than their bones, but Hassan exploited it well and was joined by Abbas who bowled a fiery spell - the fastest by any bowler in the match. A couple more quick wickets brought the big-hitting pair of Andy Wingfield and Simon Gundry together. With the short boundaries at Cottenham Park this was a vital passage of play but Hassan and Abbas managed to account for both players for a total of 1 between them, which was beyond our wildest expectations. 64 for 6 but a bit of batting to come. A run out accounting for Tim Storey brought Johnny Aloysius out to join Marcin Zielenewski. Both batsmen showed grit and fighting spirit to counter the worst of the conditions and make 10 each, facing over 30 balls apiece. Abbas, in particular, bowled beautifully. With no irregular bounce at his end he just sent it down fast and - with the exception of one beamer and one genuine short-pitched bouncer - pretty much on the stumps.
Zielenewski was finally bowled after 38 balls of stout resistance. New man Ben Brazier faced the returning Emil Todorow who now found his form. Underestimating Todorow and trying to hit him out of the ground is something a lot of batsmen do the first time they face the Bulgarian-born legend. Surviving by millimetres and then trying the same thing next ball? Oh dear! 88 for 9. With some help from the extra bounce uphill, Abdul managed to get Aloysius to sky one to Extra Cover where Abbas took a cool catch to complete what I think is the lowest total Exiles have made against us.
A target of 91 should have had us munching confidently over tea but you take nothing for granted against the Exiles, particularly with Mr Gundry pacing up and down the picnic area (but would they bowl him uphill at the dodgy end?)
Exiles - and former Nomads - opener Mark Bradshaw arrived just before tea to watch. Currently recovering from illness; how Exiles could have done with him in this type of game (and Nomads as well, for that matter.)
Paceman Andy Wingfield was unable to bowl due to injury so Marcin Zielenewski took his place and immediately produced a Wingfieldesque delivery, pitching on off and jagging away. Downhill (thank Christ) Simon Gundry was difficult to score off but, with no irregular bounce at that end, we managed to see off his first spell. Zielenewski was tight and began to find some very low bounce but it was one of his looser balls that induced a false shot from Gul to a short one - straight to a close up fielder. 2 for 1 with the man we had been relying on to hold our top order together back in the pavilion. The former Nomad Marcin continued to be a real handful. He hit No.3 Prasanth Pattiyil on the back foot in front of middle but an audible bottom edge saved our man who went to make a stylish 20 including several powerfully-struck boundaries. As has happened a few times this season, Mahesh Vyas grafted excellently but then lost his wicket to a ball that looked tailor-made for him - in this case a leg-side full toss that bowled him. 29 for 2 which soon became 33 for 3 when Zieleneski bowled Prasanth round his back leg. In this position a full-strength Exiles bowling squad featuring Naren Patel and a fit Wingfield would possibly have been favourites but, with the opening bowlers having only a few overs left and only Phil Ling being a proven dangerman amongst the others, Nomads fancied it but would still have to bat sensibly. Ably supported by Darwin Gunawardena, Hassan played a very sensible hand, keeping everything out and stroking the occasional four to remind Exiles who they were dealing with. A vital stand of 30 was crafted before Darwin fell but Jonnie Randall continued in the same vein. Gundry returned - downhill again - but it was the slower bowlers who accounted for Randall, stumped. 83 for 5. 8 to win and Hassan was still there and a comparatively strong lower order was on hand to support him if needed. In the event it was all over rather quickly; a beamer despatched for 4, a leg bye and a single equalled the scores and then .... I pause here because I might want the following 8 words put on my tombstone.... Lefebve hit the winning run off Simon Gundry.
This was a great result for Nomads. Although we had the best of the conditions against a slightly under-strength Exiles side, it was still our most satisfying win since.......probably the last time we beat the Exiles.
There were one or two on-pitch incidents that can best be summed up as fluffy handbags at 10 paces. Basically, I don't think there is any bad blood between the sides (Speaking for myself, I really like the Exiles and always look forward to playing them.) I just think the teams really enjoy beating each other.
We had a very pleasant after-match drink in the Raynes Park Tavern, the highlight of this was when a flamboyant Edwardian-style dandy loped past, sporting a walking cane, a beautifully-tailored light grey suit and a hat worthy of the Winners' Enclosure at Royal Ascot. Although immaculately decked out like Noel Coward, he also had the indefinable air of a street drinker about him. It was generally agreed that he was a potential Nomad rather than an Exile.
Man of the Match was Abbas who bowled a really excellent spell. Fielder of the Day was Darwin who took the vital catch to dismiss John Tither - the turning point.
Energy Exiles 90 all out off 29.3 overs (Tither 34)
Sami 7-3-13-1
E. Todorow 3-0-23-1
H. Khan 7-0-22-3
Abbas Khan 7-0-16-3
Abdul Khan 5.3-2-12-1
Clapham Nomads 91 for 5 off 24.4 overs
M. Vyas 11
Gul 0
P. Pattiyil 20
H. Khan 27 not out
D. Gunawardena 10
J. Randall 6
N. Lefebve 5 not out
Did not bat; Abdul Khan, Abbas Khan, Sami, E. Todorow
F.O.W. - 2. 29, 33, 63, 83
Clapham Nomads won by 5 wickets
Exiles batted first and new man Sami, bowling a nice full length with good accuracy and outswing, took the downhill end, with Emil Todorow - who had had 2 hours sleep and made an early morning dash from Dover to avoid breaking his incredible run of successive appearances - toiling away uphill. Understandably, Todorow was not quite at his best and Exiles skipper John Tither went after him, pulling a huge six off Emil's third ball. Tither scored 140 earlier this season at this ground and there was something ominous about the way he started; several more powerful boundaries forcing Todorow to replace himself with Hassan. Our star all-rounder rarely goes uphill and the wisdom of the move looked in doubt as Tither continued his sparkling form with a string of boundaries wide of mid-off, though having to ration himself increasingly as Hassan found his line and length. A maiden from Hassan perceptibly altered the mood and a short one from the same bowler in his following over was cut uppishly by Tither to Backward Point where Darwin took an excellent and vital catch to dismiss this fine player for 34 scored at a run a ball.
Jasper Searle joined Will Kent and the pair took the Away side up to 57 for 1 with few alarms. We would probably have settled for 180 at this point but a vital wicket for Hassan coincided with the appearance of some high, irregular bounce at the uphill end. It must be said that few balls got above arm height so the danger to batsmen was to their stats rather than their bones, but Hassan exploited it well and was joined by Abbas who bowled a fiery spell - the fastest by any bowler in the match. A couple more quick wickets brought the big-hitting pair of Andy Wingfield and Simon Gundry together. With the short boundaries at Cottenham Park this was a vital passage of play but Hassan and Abbas managed to account for both players for a total of 1 between them, which was beyond our wildest expectations. 64 for 6 but a bit of batting to come. A run out accounting for Tim Storey brought Johnny Aloysius out to join Marcin Zielenewski. Both batsmen showed grit and fighting spirit to counter the worst of the conditions and make 10 each, facing over 30 balls apiece. Abbas, in particular, bowled beautifully. With no irregular bounce at his end he just sent it down fast and - with the exception of one beamer and one genuine short-pitched bouncer - pretty much on the stumps.
Zielenewski was finally bowled after 38 balls of stout resistance. New man Ben Brazier faced the returning Emil Todorow who now found his form. Underestimating Todorow and trying to hit him out of the ground is something a lot of batsmen do the first time they face the Bulgarian-born legend. Surviving by millimetres and then trying the same thing next ball? Oh dear! 88 for 9. With some help from the extra bounce uphill, Abdul managed to get Aloysius to sky one to Extra Cover where Abbas took a cool catch to complete what I think is the lowest total Exiles have made against us.
A target of 91 should have had us munching confidently over tea but you take nothing for granted against the Exiles, particularly with Mr Gundry pacing up and down the picnic area (but would they bowl him uphill at the dodgy end?)
Exiles - and former Nomads - opener Mark Bradshaw arrived just before tea to watch. Currently recovering from illness; how Exiles could have done with him in this type of game (and Nomads as well, for that matter.)
Paceman Andy Wingfield was unable to bowl due to injury so Marcin Zielenewski took his place and immediately produced a Wingfieldesque delivery, pitching on off and jagging away. Downhill (thank Christ) Simon Gundry was difficult to score off but, with no irregular bounce at that end, we managed to see off his first spell. Zielenewski was tight and began to find some very low bounce but it was one of his looser balls that induced a false shot from Gul to a short one - straight to a close up fielder. 2 for 1 with the man we had been relying on to hold our top order together back in the pavilion. The former Nomad Marcin continued to be a real handful. He hit No.3 Prasanth Pattiyil on the back foot in front of middle but an audible bottom edge saved our man who went to make a stylish 20 including several powerfully-struck boundaries. As has happened a few times this season, Mahesh Vyas grafted excellently but then lost his wicket to a ball that looked tailor-made for him - in this case a leg-side full toss that bowled him. 29 for 2 which soon became 33 for 3 when Zieleneski bowled Prasanth round his back leg. In this position a full-strength Exiles bowling squad featuring Naren Patel and a fit Wingfield would possibly have been favourites but, with the opening bowlers having only a few overs left and only Phil Ling being a proven dangerman amongst the others, Nomads fancied it but would still have to bat sensibly. Ably supported by Darwin Gunawardena, Hassan played a very sensible hand, keeping everything out and stroking the occasional four to remind Exiles who they were dealing with. A vital stand of 30 was crafted before Darwin fell but Jonnie Randall continued in the same vein. Gundry returned - downhill again - but it was the slower bowlers who accounted for Randall, stumped. 83 for 5. 8 to win and Hassan was still there and a comparatively strong lower order was on hand to support him if needed. In the event it was all over rather quickly; a beamer despatched for 4, a leg bye and a single equalled the scores and then .... I pause here because I might want the following 8 words put on my tombstone.... Lefebve hit the winning run off Simon Gundry.
This was a great result for Nomads. Although we had the best of the conditions against a slightly under-strength Exiles side, it was still our most satisfying win since.......probably the last time we beat the Exiles.
There were one or two on-pitch incidents that can best be summed up as fluffy handbags at 10 paces. Basically, I don't think there is any bad blood between the sides (Speaking for myself, I really like the Exiles and always look forward to playing them.) I just think the teams really enjoy beating each other.
We had a very pleasant after-match drink in the Raynes Park Tavern, the highlight of this was when a flamboyant Edwardian-style dandy loped past, sporting a walking cane, a beautifully-tailored light grey suit and a hat worthy of the Winners' Enclosure at Royal Ascot. Although immaculately decked out like Noel Coward, he also had the indefinable air of a street drinker about him. It was generally agreed that he was a potential Nomad rather than an Exile.
Man of the Match was Abbas who bowled a really excellent spell. Fielder of the Day was Darwin who took the vital catch to dismiss John Tither - the turning point.
Energy Exiles 90 all out off 29.3 overs (Tither 34)
Sami 7-3-13-1
E. Todorow 3-0-23-1
H. Khan 7-0-22-3
Abbas Khan 7-0-16-3
Abdul Khan 5.3-2-12-1
Clapham Nomads 91 for 5 off 24.4 overs
M. Vyas 11
Gul 0
P. Pattiyil 20
H. Khan 27 not out
D. Gunawardena 10
J. Randall 6
N. Lefebve 5 not out
Did not bat; Abdul Khan, Abbas Khan, Sami, E. Todorow
F.O.W. - 2. 29, 33, 63, 83
Clapham Nomads won by 5 wickets
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Mark Bradshaw's Top 10
With another Clapham Nomads v Energy Exiles fixture looming this week, it is time we finally produced a tribute to Mark Bradshaw who rejoined Exiles in the spring after 5 successful years with the Nomads. We thoroughly enjoyed having you in the side, Mark.
I watched most of his innings, usually from an umpire's vantage point, but his quality and consistency as a batsman are told most clearly by the stats. 50 innings in which he scored 1686 runs at an average of 42.15. Only 2 ducks, 14 half-centuries and most tellingly of all, he scored 30 or more in a majority of his Nomads innings (27 out of 50.)
Here are, in my opinion, his Top 10 innings for the Nomads;
1) On 24/5/09 at Civil Service Sports Ground, Chiswick. Clapham Nomads 140 for 8 (BRADSHAW 80 NOT OUT) lost to Energy Exiles 141 for 8 by 2 wickets.
An incident-packed classic at Chiswick. Baking sun, banter, sledging, a broken stump, arguments, hissy fits and the worst LBW decision I have ever seen (to remove Hassan for 0). Just an average Nomads/Exiles game really. Somehow Mark, in only his 2nd game against his old club, carved out 80 runs with no other Nomad exceeding 15. I remember 2 things; a clip off Andy Wingfield over Square Leg for 4, and Mark staggering off the pitch at tea, exhausted from the effort of coping with his Nomads team-mates as much as seeing off a classy Exiles attack.
2) On 11/9/11 at Joseph Hood Rec. Surbiton Imperials 139 for 9 lost to Clapham Nomads 143 for 4 (BRADSHAW 63 NOT OUT) by 6 wickets.
A terrible start to the day but a sublime finish. A council double-booking meant a 2-hour delay while they found us another pitch. Surbiton made 139 but Nomads were well behind the rate and requiring 70 off the last 10 overs when a biblical rainstorm flooded the ground. Everyone wanted to go home with the exception of Surbiton's skipper (fair enough, they were clear favourites) and he managed to talk the team back out there. After taking a couple of overs to adjust to barely being able to stand up on the skidpan, Bradshaw smacked the strong Imperials attack all around the park - six 4s in this passage of play despite the drenched outfield - and even outscored Hassan while they were together to complete a glorious victory with 10 balls to spare. The best attacking innings I've seen him play.
3) On 20/7/08 at Fairfield Rec, Kingston. Kingston 192 for 7 drew with Clapham Nomads 88 for 8 (BRADSHAW 43).
Nomads needed 193 to beat a Kingston side featuring the searing pace of Plunkett and Declan McArdle who got through 25 overs between them in this time game. A draw was probably the best we could hope for on a dodgy track at Fairfield (with its usual audience of street drinkers) and - below Hassan at 3 - one of Nomads' weakest batting line-ups. Mark stuck it out almost single-handedly with no-one else making more than 11 and, although he was out with 3 balls to go, the draw was ours. This was a classic defensive innings which had John raving all evening (in a good way.)
4) On 12/9/10 at Raynes Park Sports Ground. Clapham Nomads 220 for 4 (BRADSHAW 81 NOT OUT) beat Surbiton Imperials 186 for 8 by 34 runs.
This was memorable for a stand of a top class stand of 133 between Mark - hitting it straighter than usual if I remember - and Hassan. It was just brilliant chanceless batting from both players which brightened up a bitter-sweet day (it was Gopi's last game for us.) We hadn't played Imperials for years before this and the batting seems even better in retrospect when you consider how we have often struggled to make runs against them since.
5) On 3/8/08 at Dundonald Road, SW19. Clapham Nomads 294 for 5 (BRADSHAW 83) beat Kingston Lefthanders 70 for 7 on faster scoring rate.
A great knock despite the distractions of a dead crow lying on the outfield, lager cans lining the boundary, and balls being continually hit onto our field by Sri Lankan League players on the other pitch - to the chagrin of some Lefthanders Fielders who wanted to go and fight them. The bowling, led by "Meerkat" and "Brains" was only moderate but you've still got to hit it and Bradshaw did just that, stacking up 83, his highest score for Nomads, and sharing in our all-time club record partnership of 197 with Cameron Russell. Bradshaw batted so well that the former Rutland Schools player was described by the opposition as an Australian Ringer.
6) On 17/7/11 at Cox's Lane, Dulwich. Streatham & Marlborough 150 for 2 lost to Clapham Nomads 151 for 3 (BRADSHAW 56 NOT OUT) by 7 wickets.
Bradshaw led an excellent unbeaten 4th wicket stand of 72 with Darwin to secure a fine victory in a game that had looked lost - certainly to John who remarked loudly at one point (to the opposition's amusement); "We can't win this. We haven't got Riaz."
7) On 16/5/10 at Fishponds Rec, SW17. Clapham Nomads 180 for 8 (BRADSHAW 47) beat Kempton 72 for 4 by 4 runs (Duckworth Lewis Method).
A really memorable, amusing, game on a dreadful pitch. Mark's 47 held us together and his only consolation for missing out on his half-century was that he was dismissed by a spinner called Warne, who was an uncanny Andrew West lookalike.
8) On 14/9/08 at Dundonald Road. Energy Exiles 158 all out beat Clapham Nomads 94 all out (BRADSHAW 30) by 64 runs.
Mark's first game for Nomads against his old club and, despite facing severe sledging (or, as Exiles website put it, "some very droll remarks"), his hard-fought 30 was the only thing that gave some respectability to a Nomads batting order severely weakened by Ramadan and late season apathy which was basically put to the sword by a strong and fired up Exiles bowling line-up (Wingfield, Uttley, Gundry, Zielenewski and G. Thomas)
9) On 5/7/09 at Raynes Park Sports Ground. Caribbean Mix 169 all out lost to Clapham Nomads 175 for 3 (BRADSHAW 74) by 7 wickets.
This was a long way off Mark's best form, but he survived a string of chances to notch a match-winning 74 (though Hassan actually hit the winning runs with a 6 - happy days). As Mark snicked another one into the wicketkeeper's gloves - and out again - one of Caribbean's fielders memorably intoned; "Yes! Today is your day! Today you can do anything you want. Anything!"
10) On 6/6/10 at Northey Avenue, Cheam. Clapham Nomads 191 for 7 (BRADSHAW 51) lost to Bec Old Boys 194 for 8 by 2 wickets.
Just an archetypal Bradshaw innings really. Sound batting to hold the top order together on a decent track against strong and varied bowling.
I watched most of his innings, usually from an umpire's vantage point, but his quality and consistency as a batsman are told most clearly by the stats. 50 innings in which he scored 1686 runs at an average of 42.15. Only 2 ducks, 14 half-centuries and most tellingly of all, he scored 30 or more in a majority of his Nomads innings (27 out of 50.)
Here are, in my opinion, his Top 10 innings for the Nomads;
1) On 24/5/09 at Civil Service Sports Ground, Chiswick. Clapham Nomads 140 for 8 (BRADSHAW 80 NOT OUT) lost to Energy Exiles 141 for 8 by 2 wickets.
An incident-packed classic at Chiswick. Baking sun, banter, sledging, a broken stump, arguments, hissy fits and the worst LBW decision I have ever seen (to remove Hassan for 0). Just an average Nomads/Exiles game really. Somehow Mark, in only his 2nd game against his old club, carved out 80 runs with no other Nomad exceeding 15. I remember 2 things; a clip off Andy Wingfield over Square Leg for 4, and Mark staggering off the pitch at tea, exhausted from the effort of coping with his Nomads team-mates as much as seeing off a classy Exiles attack.
2) On 11/9/11 at Joseph Hood Rec. Surbiton Imperials 139 for 9 lost to Clapham Nomads 143 for 4 (BRADSHAW 63 NOT OUT) by 6 wickets.
A terrible start to the day but a sublime finish. A council double-booking meant a 2-hour delay while they found us another pitch. Surbiton made 139 but Nomads were well behind the rate and requiring 70 off the last 10 overs when a biblical rainstorm flooded the ground. Everyone wanted to go home with the exception of Surbiton's skipper (fair enough, they were clear favourites) and he managed to talk the team back out there. After taking a couple of overs to adjust to barely being able to stand up on the skidpan, Bradshaw smacked the strong Imperials attack all around the park - six 4s in this passage of play despite the drenched outfield - and even outscored Hassan while they were together to complete a glorious victory with 10 balls to spare. The best attacking innings I've seen him play.
3) On 20/7/08 at Fairfield Rec, Kingston. Kingston 192 for 7 drew with Clapham Nomads 88 for 8 (BRADSHAW 43).
Nomads needed 193 to beat a Kingston side featuring the searing pace of Plunkett and Declan McArdle who got through 25 overs between them in this time game. A draw was probably the best we could hope for on a dodgy track at Fairfield (with its usual audience of street drinkers) and - below Hassan at 3 - one of Nomads' weakest batting line-ups. Mark stuck it out almost single-handedly with no-one else making more than 11 and, although he was out with 3 balls to go, the draw was ours. This was a classic defensive innings which had John raving all evening (in a good way.)
4) On 12/9/10 at Raynes Park Sports Ground. Clapham Nomads 220 for 4 (BRADSHAW 81 NOT OUT) beat Surbiton Imperials 186 for 8 by 34 runs.
This was memorable for a stand of a top class stand of 133 between Mark - hitting it straighter than usual if I remember - and Hassan. It was just brilliant chanceless batting from both players which brightened up a bitter-sweet day (it was Gopi's last game for us.) We hadn't played Imperials for years before this and the batting seems even better in retrospect when you consider how we have often struggled to make runs against them since.
5) On 3/8/08 at Dundonald Road, SW19. Clapham Nomads 294 for 5 (BRADSHAW 83) beat Kingston Lefthanders 70 for 7 on faster scoring rate.
A great knock despite the distractions of a dead crow lying on the outfield, lager cans lining the boundary, and balls being continually hit onto our field by Sri Lankan League players on the other pitch - to the chagrin of some Lefthanders Fielders who wanted to go and fight them. The bowling, led by "Meerkat" and "Brains" was only moderate but you've still got to hit it and Bradshaw did just that, stacking up 83, his highest score for Nomads, and sharing in our all-time club record partnership of 197 with Cameron Russell. Bradshaw batted so well that the former Rutland Schools player was described by the opposition as an Australian Ringer.
6) On 17/7/11 at Cox's Lane, Dulwich. Streatham & Marlborough 150 for 2 lost to Clapham Nomads 151 for 3 (BRADSHAW 56 NOT OUT) by 7 wickets.
Bradshaw led an excellent unbeaten 4th wicket stand of 72 with Darwin to secure a fine victory in a game that had looked lost - certainly to John who remarked loudly at one point (to the opposition's amusement); "We can't win this. We haven't got Riaz."
7) On 16/5/10 at Fishponds Rec, SW17. Clapham Nomads 180 for 8 (BRADSHAW 47) beat Kempton 72 for 4 by 4 runs (Duckworth Lewis Method).
A really memorable, amusing, game on a dreadful pitch. Mark's 47 held us together and his only consolation for missing out on his half-century was that he was dismissed by a spinner called Warne, who was an uncanny Andrew West lookalike.
8) On 14/9/08 at Dundonald Road. Energy Exiles 158 all out beat Clapham Nomads 94 all out (BRADSHAW 30) by 64 runs.
Mark's first game for Nomads against his old club and, despite facing severe sledging (or, as Exiles website put it, "some very droll remarks"), his hard-fought 30 was the only thing that gave some respectability to a Nomads batting order severely weakened by Ramadan and late season apathy which was basically put to the sword by a strong and fired up Exiles bowling line-up (Wingfield, Uttley, Gundry, Zielenewski and G. Thomas)
9) On 5/7/09 at Raynes Park Sports Ground. Caribbean Mix 169 all out lost to Clapham Nomads 175 for 3 (BRADSHAW 74) by 7 wickets.
This was a long way off Mark's best form, but he survived a string of chances to notch a match-winning 74 (though Hassan actually hit the winning runs with a 6 - happy days). As Mark snicked another one into the wicketkeeper's gloves - and out again - one of Caribbean's fielders memorably intoned; "Yes! Today is your day! Today you can do anything you want. Anything!"
10) On 6/6/10 at Northey Avenue, Cheam. Clapham Nomads 191 for 7 (BRADSHAW 51) lost to Bec Old Boys 194 for 8 by 2 wickets.
Just an archetypal Bradshaw innings really. Sound batting to hold the top order together on a decent track against strong and varied bowling.
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