Lichfield Nomads v W.T. Parker
C.C.
Date: Sunday 22nd June 2003. Time: 2:30pm
Venue: Home. Competition: Friendly - 40 Overs.
Result: Won by 178 runs
Conditions: Hot and Sunny.
Toss: Lost
Scorer: Cartwright
Umpires: Jennett and Forster
Match Report by: Dave Forster.
Nomads had a score to
settle after being beaten away to WTP, less than a month ago, and fielded a
strong side, bristling with venomous fast bowlers and aggressive batsmen.
However without the in-form Gardner (faffing around in Rangemoor), Pinfield
(entertaining) and Hoddy (only back from his sojourn in a French gite hours
before the match) there was some concern for the depth of the batting. But
all this concern was in vain as Nomads took the attack to WTP at every
opportunity.
The WTP skipper inserted Nomads on a very hot day and both Hussein and
Heslington quickly got to grips with some fairly friendly bowling. The score
steadied at around six an over and rarely wavered from this throughout the
innings, with Heslington playing the sheet anchor (79 not out from just over
a hundred balls) and Hussein forcing it all round the ground (93 from 99
balls). Together they broke the opening wicket stand, reaching 186 before
Hussein was cruelly given out lbw just seven short of a maiden century, as
Coleman claimed he was able to accurately judge the flight of the ball after
it struck the front pad with Hussein a full six or seven down the wicket.
Moss appeared in a typical aggressive mood wanting to crash every ball but
was frustrated early on by the lack of bounce, however he had reached 24
from 21 balls when he was bowled by one that came back from the junction
between grass and artificial strip (225 for 2). Hemmings took up the
challenge thrashing a quick-fire dozen before giving way to Higginson at 245
for 3.
Only one tea this week, left Nomads hungry to get on with it and there was
some concern about the greying clouds around the pitch. Heslington was given
a rest from opening duties (claiming fatigue?) and Hemmings and Higginson
opened the bowling. Higginson was having ill-luck and Hemmings was having
trouble directing the ball at the stumps, however once he found his line he
snapped up three fine wickets. Cartwright and Coleman continued the attack
as Forster kept his bowlers to short spells in the heat and wickets
continued to tumble. Moss had been giving plenty of hints that he was keen
to bowl and eventually he got his chance, cleaning up the tail at a cost of
only seven runs in four hostile overs.
What a performance from Nomads, great batting, keen bowling well backed up
by a good fielding display. There are obvious heroes, Hussein, of course,
for his batting display (and two catches), Heslington, back in the groove,
Hemmings and Moss, the pick of the bowlers and Fuzz Weir a revelation behind
the stumps. Gardner must be in trepidation for his place, only four byes
given away and a record opening stand!!
Now it’s three more wins to pull Nomads level in the curry stakes
A record opening stand paves the way for victory for the Nomads.
9/7/03