Rain couldn’t save the Nomads
As the Nomads arrived at the Haden Hill Ground, the start of the game was delayed by 40 mins due to Old Hill CC’s U15’s competing in a cup semi-final & an insistent groundsman. Stand in skipper for the day, Rolfey won the toss, on a very green wicket & decided to bowl first; a decision the opposition skipper A Khan was happy about. Any life or assistance the wicket may have had, was extinguished with some overzealous rolling of the pitch for 20 mins.
Opening pair of Singh & O’Brien started well, as the first wicket fell in the 4th over, as Gibson took a sharp low catch at midwicket, off O’Brien. Skipper A Khan was scoring freely with some big hits to the boundary until the games contentious flashpoint occurred.
O’Brien bowled a well-directed short ball which A Khan attempted to pull, with the ball taking a healthy top edge and looping up for a, seemingly, straight forward catch for, wicket keeper, Parsonage. As Parsonage was running in, A Khan seemed to take a step back into Parsonage’s path, who ultimately couldn’t complete the catch. However, as the Nomads appealed for obstructing the field, A Khan walked to the boundaries edge. In the mayhem, he obviously thought the catch was completed but was told it wasn’t by his teammates. Confusion reigned for a few moments until the Nomads withdrew their appeal and A Khan returned to the crease.
This would be fruitful for A Khan, who would go on to score an unbeaten and chanceless century (101*). He was ably supported throughout as U Khan (70), AD Khan (57*) & A Ali (37*) enjoyed their trip to Cradley Heath with the boundary being peppered throughout. Despite changing the bowling, nobody could find a way to stem the flow of runs as Sutton Utd CC made an impressive 318-6 from their 40 overs.
O’Brien was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 for 40 from his 8 overs whilst Gibson picked up 3 wickets despite taking some tap.
Needing 8 an over & a club record high score, the task was always going to be a difficult one. This was made even harder as Singh, opening the batting for the first time, was superbly caught one-handed by a leaping S Malik at mid-on.
Many batters made promising starts but couldn’t carry on to make a big score. Gibson, who is in fine all round form, continued to play the ball around beautifully however he was running out of partners, as we slumped to 66-6. The rain clouds were looming but not even Rolfey’s tambourine could hasten its arrival.
Gibson would go on to make a well-constructed 42 before being trapped LBW (still awaiting his maiden Nomad’s half century) as Mangukiya made a personal best of 22*. The rain descended in the 32nd over with the Nomads sitting on 123-8, needing 195 runs (just 24 an over) as skipper, Rolfey, conceded & shook hands of the opposition.
Before the game, the club presented Sal, Old Hill CC’s club secretary & our contact, with a gift to show our thanks & appreciation for stepping in & hosting our designated home games for this summer.
[Disclaimer: Any offence caused by this article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved]
Date: 31st August 2025
Start time: 1:00pm (Delayed to 1:40pm)
Venue: Old Hill CC, Haden Park Road, Cradley Heath.
Competition: 40 overs friendly
Scores: Sutton United 318 for 6 v Lichfield Nomads 123 for 8.
Result: Sutton United won by 195 runs
Toss: Lichfield Nomads won the toss and elected to field.
Scorer: D Cartwright & Opposition
Umpires: K Stanley, C Parsonage, T Singh & Opposition
Report: J Loxley
Weather: Sunny spells with showers
3rd Sept 2025