Nomads make it two wins in two.

The weather was sunny and a few degrees cooler than the temperatures of the recent heat wave. The Unicorns won the toss and decided to bat. Tahir showed promise with 2 boundaries off Hughes’s second over but then edged the next ball to Parsonage who took a took a tumbling leg side catch. Buckle came in and quickly progressed to 22 before being run out by a sharp piece of fielding from Clenton and keeper Parsonage. (Buckle sportingly walked despite being given not out by the umpire.)
The Unicorns progressed comfortably at a rate of 4 an over until the introduction of Jordan’s spin bowling. Williams and Holmes were out in consecutive balls and then, shortly after drinks, Kasim was bowled by an extra slower ball, giving Jordan figures of 3 for 26.
Abbas and Hussain kept the scoring rate going until Abbas was out to a good running catch by Hughes off the bowling of Clenton for a well made 38. Clenton ended up with 3 for 27. A sound all round performance from the bowlers meant that wickets fell regularly. And no catches were dropped in the field. The Unicorns reached a total of 161 off 34.2 overs.

Tahir in particular bowled with pace at the start of the Nomads innings. But the in form Gibson started to find the boundary regularly with clean shots racing across the fast outfield. He reached his 50 in the ninth over off only 35 balls and duly retired. Bastable was bowled through the gate by Kasim, whose off spin bowling was getting a lot of turn. Shah showed promise, striking three boundaries before being bowled by a flighted ball from Long (his 250th wicket).
Scoreboard pressure was not an issue (thanks to Gibson) as Rolfe and Gardner started to accumulate runs, mindful that they needed to see off the dangerous spin of Kasim and the accuracy of Long. They put on a partnership of 51 off 15 overs, leaving Parsonage, Hughes and Clenton to get the Nomads over the winning line in the 36th over.
M.V.P.
Gibson 8
Jordan 2
Clenton 1


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

Date: 26 July 2026
Start time: 1:00pm
Venue: Old Hill
Competition: 40 overs friendly
Scores: Birmingham Unicorns 161 (34.2 ovs) v Lichfield Nomads 163 for 5 (35.2 ovs)
Result: Lichfield Nomads beat Birmingham Unicorns by 5 wkts
Toss: Unicorns won the toss and elected to bat.
Scorer: Opposition
Umpires: Rolfe and others
Report: P. Gardner
Weather: Warm but not as warm as the recent heatwave.

27 July 2026