Thus it was yesterday, Saturday April 19th 2014 that the Nomads took to the field for the first time this season, and for the earliest start date in Nomads history. The fifth season began with the skipper Niz winning the toss, and electing to bat first on the artificial strip that the opposition were able to get at short notice.
Dan Cambage (21) and Andy Schulze (12) opened the batting on a very spicy track, full of bounce and carry. They started slowly, with Dan aiming simply to find his feet again, and Andy taking the more proactive role in the partnership. Slowly, the runs started coming, with Dan swivelling to pull opening bowler Ricky (8-1-1-29) for four and Andy jabbing opening bowler Asif (7-1-1-25) powerfully through the covers for four. However, Andy's stay at the crease was ended in tragic circumstances with a ball that cut from outside off inwards, but that stayed horrendously low on a hitherto bouncy wicket. Next in was Newton Wijethilaka (5) who came in and immediately looked to start scoring but who slowly started to get bogged down against a very strong spell of bowling by Asif. First change bowler Grant ended Newton's stay at the crease by sending the stumps flying. This brought in the skipper Niz ( who immediately got off the mark with a cut between point and third man for two and soon afterwards a glance off his pads for four through mid-wicket. Grant then caught Niz on the grille with a rising bouncer as the pressure continued. It was during Grant's fourth over that Niz went through his shot a touch too early and sent a lofted drive straight into the hands of mid-off.
Martyn Williams (1) was Grant's next victim, but not before unfurling his favourite tickle behind point for a quick single. This united Dan Cambage with fellow power-hitter Robert Logan (29) who brought to the party a new, considered side to his batting never before seen, with strong, affirmative defensive pushes and quick, dabbed singles. Just before everyone had settled on the conclusion that Logan had reinvented himself as a nurdler a la Neil Fairbrother, out came the booming pull shot for four that for so long had been the hallmark of a Robert Logan innings. The Nomads were still on for a competitive score, despite the slow run rate, but wickets in hand seemed to be the issue. Dan Cambage became Grant's third victim being bowled, and at 84-5 at the halfway point (20 overs), the Nomads did look in danger of not even passing 150.
Himanshu, or Harry (4) came to the crease and was promptly sent back by left-arm spinner Joe for four which brought to the crease Matt West (14) who immediately struck up a good, banter-filled partnership with Rob, who by now was licking his lips every time the spinner ran up to bowl at him. The two partners in crime struck a 37 run partnership which included all kinds of shots and sledging (they were sledging each other...). The partnership was ended with a less-than-comical run out as Rob failed to read Matt's call thus sending Matt back from whence he came - the scorer's table.
Charlie McGinnes (5) offered Logan some good assistance before both he and Logan departed within two overs of each other. At this point, the Nomads were looking in serious danger of committing the cardinal sin of not seeing out the overs. Asif Khan (14) smashed some lusty blows as did Shashi Sharma (4) before the innings was terminated for 151, with five overs to spare. Cardinal sin committed.
The Nomads knew their score was under par, but they also knew they had something to defend and set about defending it early on with great effort. Opening the bowling were Newton (5-0-1-37) and Asif (3-0-0-23). Newton had opener Vinay pegged back lbw for 2 in the fourth over, and then had number three Asif dropped behind later on in the over. 5-1 could have been 5-2, and it seemed that this spurred opener Hasan (67 no)and Asif (62 no) to unleash the unrelenting fury on the Nomads bowling. No one was spared, with Matt going for 43 off his first change four overs, and Niz for 16 off his solitary over. Harry went for 26 off his two overs, and Charlie for four off his two balls. With no maiden overs being bowled, three catches being dropped and the victory total being achieved in 15.2 overs, it was quite a chastening experience but the spirits of the team remained undimmed.
Though it was quite a beating the Nomads took, as one Nomad in absentia stated, the 'cobwebs were well and truly blown off'. The bowling and fielding may have left a lot to be desired, but the season is a long one and the fun has only just started...
