Nomads Suffer a Dizzy Spell Against Stafford’s Resident Doctor

The Nomads arrived at Stafford Grammar School in very windy but, most importantly, dry conditions. The uncovered pitch had experienced overnight showers and was lush green. Much to Loxley’s surprise, Stafford Strikers CC skipper, Karthik, elected to bat first after winning the toss.
The conditions and pitch favoured bowling first, so we were very happy with the outcome. Jimmy Cogzell and Taran Singh opened the bowling and produced an excellent but tight new-ball spell. Taran picked up two important wickets whilst Jimmy was unlucky on a few occasions Ian Hughes was first change and bowling into the wind slightly, but he struggled with his line and length as he was carted around the ground by a very eager Vasanthakumar Sekar. Sekar’s aggressive batting had relieved the mounting pressure of the batters as they recovered from 26-2 to 95-4.
Funky Fearon replaced Hughes and immediately brought control back alongside the ever-impressive Ryan Clenton. Together, they combined to take 6 wickets as the Nomads took back a stranglehold on proceedings before Phil Woolley took his maiden Nomads wicket, smartly stumped by Dave Rolfe.
Funky was the pick of the bowlers picking up 4 wickets as the Nomads bowled and fielded well despite a couple of late dollies being dropped. But would the Hughes onslaught be costly?
The Nomads were confident going into the second innings, requiring just under 4 runs an over. Things were slow going in the opening overs with some tight bowling as Gardner and Rolfe struggled. Nadanasabapathy had dismissed both openers cheaply before Stafford’s resident GP, Gunda, entered the attack Gunda’s off-spin caused the Nomads endless trouble, turning the ball wildly as the pitch, for the second week running, began to misbehave and become unpredictable for our batters. The middle order had no answer to the bowling; despite everyone registering runs, we slumped to 67-7 at the drinks interval As with the previous week, the lower order made a better fist of things with Jimmy Cogzell taking the attack to the bowlers, ably supported by Funky and Hughes. Despite a spirited effort, Cogzell would end up unbeaten on 36* when Gunda returned to take a brilliant return catch off Woolley Another week where a batting collapse had cost the Nomads dearly after bowling ourselves into a strong position. Afterwards, we retired to the nearby Star public house in Penkridge for our post-match festivities


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

Date: 10 May 2026
Start time: 1:00pm
Venue: Stafford Grammar School
Competition: 40 overs friendly
Scores: Stafford Strikers 156 v Lichfield Nomads 123.
Result: Stafford Strikers won by 33 runs.
Toss: Stafford Strikers won the toss and batted first.
Scorer: Rolfe, Fearon, Gardner and Strikers, via Play Cricket
Umpires: I Hughes, J Loxley, R Bastable, P Gardner and opposition
Report: J. Loxley
Weather: Cool, windy with sunny intervals.

19 May 2026