Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2009

Nomads Bugged

On a hot and sunny July day, as Roger Federer reached the pinnacle of success, Nomads fought hard but ultimately became the Andy Roddick of Northamptonshire.

Hughes broke the mould, winning the toss and committed Nomads to batting on the well-worn artificial surface. Gardner and Fearon scored steadily at around four or five an over, despite the latter playing and missing outside off stump with some hefty swipes. The Bugbrooke bowling was tight, on a good length and with little of real latitude. In the eleventh over Fearon struck one too many uppish shots and was caught near the boundary off Bird. Hussein found Thomas’ failure to turn the ball confusing, and after a few strong strokes succumbed to another low straight one, trying to force the ball away. However, with 75 off 17 overs, Nomads had set themselves for a good score. Pinfield replaced Hussein and kept the score ticking over with a mixture of nudges and drives, keeping the opposition fielders guessing. Unfortunately Gardner trapped his thumb between ball and bat handle in a place where his gloves had seen better days and retired hurt with blood pouring (?) from his injury. Pickering replaced him but last week’s dream ticket failed to take off in the same way as he struggled to a couple off sixteen balls before being bowled by Silveraj who was swinging it both ways. Hughes flattered briefly, attempted to raise the now-faltering run rate with 14 off 8 balls, smiting Walker for six before being bowled next ball swiping at the inevitable yorker (what was it Captain Mainwaring said?). Gardner had returned by now and was trying to pick up where he had left off, despite continued bleeding and another blow on the same thumb. Stanley raised his personal runs-per-ball ratio with a single off only ten balls before getting a nick behind, whilst George also struggled to raise the rate. A brief flurry of 30 from the final four overs from Blackburn and Forster ended farcically off the last ball as Blackburn charged down the wicket screaming ‘come on’ to be met by Forster, equally bellowing ‘no’ as both batsmen ended in the same crease. Ultimate shame to the latter for refusing to be run out suicidally.

After a good tea Gardner was unable to keep wicket (nothing to do with the tea, of course?). Blackburn took the gloves “for the first time since he was sixteen”. Inevitably Nomads bowlers predilection for bowling down the leg side troubled him but a series of valiant stops, coupled with fielders at fine leg and third man kept the byes down to a mere 9. Greaves’ first over went for 14, though he tightened up considerably after that. At the other end Forster was trying to keep it tight, with unplanned variation in line and length, however Bugbrooke openers moved along to 44 off 12 before Forster forgot he was bowling to the right hander and bowled over the wicket tempting Sidebottom into giving a catch to Gardner at extra cover. Nomads’ bowlers all fought hard to rein in the Bugbrooke batsmen, but despite Hughes removing Chapman, lbw, Silveraj and Bird kept on top of the required rate; Silveraj, in particular, advancing down the wicket on several occasions to strike boundaries. Fearon confused Bird with a high full toss from his ‘slower one’, Forster taking the catch at point. A moment of hope rose amongst Nomads as first Palmer, bowled by another Fearon slower ball, then Silveraj, bowled leg stump by a beauty from George, made things potentially interesting. However Walker took a liking to anything short, well pitched-up, quick or slow, striking 30 from just 16 balls in a partnership of 36, as White, with his every move cheered from the boundary, struck the winning run.

A valiant effort from Nomads who were just outplayed at the vital times by what was largely a younger side.