Nomads beat Srikers

Nomads travelled to a sunny Stafford Grammar School to play Stafford Strikers. Nomads won the toss and elected to bat hoping to reverse their losing streak of the last three games. Dinesh and Malai opened for the Strikers with tight and accurate bowling. Gardner was first out, bowled by a yorker from Dinesh. Loxley showed attacking intent scoring several fours but then became Dinesh’s second victim. This brought together Bastable and Moss who put together a lively 98 run partnership. Bastable continued his good form from previous games, setting about the bowling with drives and sweeps from the middle of the bat then retiring after reaching a well deserved 50. Moss, returning to cricket after a 2 year break, made a stylish 49. Mirza kept the scoreboard ticking then Cogzell , Ellis and Parsonage maintained the momentum and took Nomads to a respectable 223 for 7 off 40 overs.

The pitch was showing some variable bounce - but with a lightning fast outfield would this be enough?

Vasanthakumar and Midhun got Strikers off to a quick fire start. Vasanthakumar in particular , scoring 51 runs off only 27 deliveries before retiring. The ball was being hit in the air but not quite going to hand and the match seemed to be slipping away from the Nomads. But 2 confident catches by Loxley off the bowling of Cogzell followed by a wicket in Jordan’s first over and then a stunning overhead catch from Moss began a shift in the Nomads fortunes. (Jordan had replaced Gibson - who was unlucky not to get a wicket.) Soon the Strikers had gone from 83-1 to 103-8 with Cogzell on a hat trick at one stage and Jordan using flight and guile. Then Hardik and Malai steadied the ship with a valuable partnership of 31 before Hardik (24) gave a catch to Ellis off the bowling of Jordan.

Nomads feared the worse as Vasanthakumar came in to resume his innings. He tried to hit his first ball off Jordan to the boundary but got a top edge and Parsonage took a good catch behind the wickets to win the match for the Nomads. Both Cogzell and Jordan claimed 5 wicket hauls - which is the first time this has been done in Nomads history. An outstanding achievement (recalling the glory days of Laker and Lock!).

[Disclaimer: Any offence caused by this article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved]

Date: 11 May 2025
Start time: 1:30pm
Venue: Stafford Grammar School
Competition: 40 overs friendly
Scores: Lichfield Nomads 223 for 7 v Stafford Strikers 132 all out
Result: Lichfield Nomads won by 91 runs
Toss: Lichfield Nomads won the toss and elected to bat.
Scorer: Jordan and Opposition
Umpires: Stanley, Terry, Gardner and Opposition
Report: P. Gardner
Weather: Warm, sunny

13 May 2025