Unity score big to deny the Nomads

Lichfield Nomads returned to Old Hill on a pleasant breezy day (pleased not to be playing in the 30 degrees heat of the previous day).

Unity batted first. Gibson claimed the first two wickets trapping Javed lbw and then Islam, well caught by Bastable for the first of his two catches at backward point. This brought Khan to the crease and he set about the Nomads bowling with powerful attacking shots. It took Unity only 10 overs to get to a hundred. Nomads were relieved when Kahn retired at 50. But the onslaught continued with 50’s for both Ahmad and Pankaj.
Nomads’ bowlers worked hard. The batsmen were hitting the ball in the air but managed to avoid the field. Gibson’s slower ball claimed Karthik’s wicket ( his fourth of the innings). Then two wickets from the accurate off-spin of Davies slowed the run rate. Unity batted well, right down to the tail and eventually reached an impressive 330.

Lichfield Nomads have never scored over 300 in their history so getting anywhere near Unity’s total was going to be a tall order.

They started the innings steadily with Bastable and Gardner both getting into the twenties. Loxley came in and upped the run rate. His unbeaten 52 was made from 48 balls and included 9 boundaries. He was ably supported by Mirza (21) with a mixture of stylish attacking shots and deft singles. Cogzell (27 not out) and Gibson (run out just one short of his 50) maintained the run rate to take the the score to 224 for 5.
A good score against a strong bowling attack.


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

Date: 22 June 2025
Start time: 1:30pm
Venue: Old Hill CC, Haden Park Road, Cradley Heath.
Competition: 40 overs friendly
Scores: Walsall Unity 330 for 6 v Lichfield Nomads 224 for 5
Result: Walsall Unity won by 106 runs
Toss: Walsall Unity won the toss and elected to bat.
Scorer: Davies, Cartwright and Walsall Unity
Umpires: Stanley, Gibson, Jordan, Garner and Walsall Unity
Report: P. Gardner
Weather: Breezy with Sunny Intervals

23 June 2025