Nomads awoke on Thursday morning to the brilliant news that our talented and polite 16 yo, Dan Ibrahim, was to make his Sussex County Championship debut at Headingly Leeds against a much fancied Yorkshire line up. As luck had it I was up there and it was an honour to watch the day unfold. Under dark skies and with the full lights burning brightly Sussex were asked to bat. And in truth the top order worked their socks off and it was a good achievement to only be three down at lunch. After lunch skipper Ben Brown seemed in determined mood and then it happened. Ibrahim strolled to the crease. We then settled in for a wonderful afternoon of fluent batting from both players as Dan looked to be in complete control of his game and his test ground surroundings. At stumps on 30 odd not out he received a very warm round of applause from the 2000 fans and his team mates high up on the players balcony. And no doubt by the army of Nomads back here in Sussex.

Dan went on to claim his debut half century on Friday and took a wicket for good measure. It turned out that he was the youngest ever player to score a Championship 50 as Media went into overdrive!

Dan and the 1st Team made it Three League 2021 wins v Three Bridges at Home

Our 1st team are really starting to motor up the Sussex Premier league table after another impressive win. Batting first our blossoming opening pair of Poole and Hutson were at it again forming that solid base. This week it was Jake who hit the headlines with a wonderful 70 off 108 balls and a six thrown in for good measure. The skipper weighed in with an important knock of 22 and it was left to Nav (31) not to put final touches to a good score of 189 off the 50 overs.

In reply Dan Birrell continued his excellent wicket taking record with 4 for 50 off 9 overs. However on closer inspection Nomads will also have to throw huge respect towards the ever young Owen Kernan who produced figures of 1 for 14 off his nine overs at an economy rate of 1.56. In a tightish contest if I was there I would probably lean towards Owen as MOM territory especially as he took out the dangerous Joe Walker on 26. Bridges came up 43 runs short.

The win brought 26 huge points to the tally but again we fall short of that magic 30 point maximum due to failing to reach 225 runs in the 1st inns. Its something we have touched on before and the team are trying to address.

Next time out lets get the win but also gain those maximum batting bonus points.

James steers 2s to victory at Billingshurst

In the preamble we suggested a ‘6 pointer’ against Billingshurst and a shout against their batting frailties. Our 2s managed to get a crowbar into their top order and then their engine room spluttered as Nomads shared the wickets around. A last wicket stand of 45 from Smith and Alexander took the score to 155 all out. Muadh Khan the pick of the bowlers 3 for 22 off 7.

In reply a real Nomads legend, Jules Hunt got off to an impressive run a ball 21 but the top order were squeezed to 63 for 5. In Hashim Riaz a new player from St James this season we have a real star in the making. Hashim shows a maturity and poise both on the back and front foot. His 34 off 25 balls including 3 sixes would of been a joy to watch. However it was our ever competitive James McKemey, fresh from two catches in the field, who calmly steered Nomads to victory with 24 not out.

I haven’t spoken to James but its a certainty he was delighted to pick up 30 points and move out of the Sussex Two relegation zone. Our 2nds can now start to look up!

Three’s in Narrow loss at Ifield. Div 6

Young Ziggy Anderson Ager continued his impressive start to the season taking three for 23 but Ifield just kept finding decent partnerships all the way down the card. Greg Barton scored 32, Charlie Constable 25 and skipper Qazi 29. Perhaps the most damaging passage of play an annoying 44 not out for Peter Dickson batting at nine. In the end Ifield would of been pretty happy with 212 and skipper David might not have been happy with the 34 extra’s we gave away.

Mike Burney 20, Luke Appleton 23, and Joey A 33 all got great starts but our young keeper Joe Musto again caught the eye with more telling runs. This time it was 40.

But it was heartbreak for our Three’s as the chase just run out of steam 14 runs shy of the target. It takes the team back into the relegation zone with work to do.

James Oliver Ton win’s it for his Dad. 4th Team victory in Div 8

Forest Row Kuganesh Karuppiah looked to be taking his team into orbit with stunning 122 off 107 balls as they settled on 217 for 5 on the South Square. It was tough going for the Nomads bowling attack but Luke Owen did take 2 for 55.

Michael English picked up runs up top but the 4th team were looking quite doomed on as James Oliver at 6. He went on to make a spectacular ton which allowed a breath taking end to the match. With time and wickets running out it was left to Jonah and Baseer to see the team through to a pulsating victory.

Skipper Stephen Oliver has even written up a brilliant match report that can be seen below.

4th team report from 5 June vs Forest Row
It was a 4th team thriller
In the absence of the normal team scribe, Captain Oliver reports on the days activities.
With the traditional selection shenanigans, the 4th team took to the field with 6 of the previous weeks winning team (neither of the run scorers) and 2 Injured players in the shape of James “fingers” Oliver and Mike “mind the back” English.
Nomads win the toss and elect to field

After the first 20 overs the score board shows 40 odd for 1 wicket. James has delivered a of 9 overs for 19 runs, Baz 5 overs 1 for 15 and Ian Jones is in classic economy mode.
Then the Forest Row no3 starts. Eventually being run out on 122 he launches the ball over the ropes again and again. On the upside, Baseer was really unlucky with some of the decisions and the other bat was not nearly as devastating (90 runs less off the same number of balls!).
With a small flurry towards the end, Luke Owen had a hat-trick chance and tea was taken with the score at 217 for 5.
The Nomads response started well, with Mike English hitting 20 from 5 balls (and not scoring from about 20). Then all of sudden Nomads are 60 for 5 off 13 overs, with the opening bowler finding good swing. Looking for a response, we decide now is the time to play Adam Ibrahim. Adam and James Oliver have a stand of 93 off 20 overs and Adam scores 25, hits boundaries and departs the pitch at 153-6. There is 65 required off 7 overs.
Great supporting contributions from Danny and Luke (if James says run, then run!) keeps the score board ticking over, and the crowd (a victorious 1st XI and more casual spectators) interested. All results are possible…
In the penultimate over, there is a run out followed by James finding the fielder (who juggles but eventually takes the catch). Baseer and Ian Jones are last men standing. The bowler puts in a fast one and off his first ball, Baseer slots a boundary. The over had seen 11 runs and 2 wickets.
Facing the last over, we need 4. Off the first we find out that Ian Jones upgraded his hip/knee replacement to include the scampering single and quick turn capabilities. Baseer on strike, we need 1 to win off 3 balls. The bowler elects a fast high full toss, Baseer dispatches for 6. Nomads win.
This was a game that showed you have to keep playing to the end and that contributions from everyone will get the team to the winning line. Thanks to the team for great effort and a really great result.

Nomads Bow out of ECB Cup

We now come to the tapering end of a brilliant weekend where we have to report a disappointing National Cup loss at Reigate Priory.

Dan took his troops north yesterday for a 40 over match. The hosts decided to bat and openers Oliver and Murtagh set a good tone with an opening ton partnership. There was nothing explosive to the Reigate batting with just 8 boudary’s in a total of 170 for 5. Dan Birrell picking up 2 for 43 off 8 overs.

Unfortunately, for the 1st time this season our opening pair of Nathan and Jake fell quite cheaply, the score 10 for 2. It was a set back that was managed by Oliver Gatts and Liam O who both made good 20s before having to go. Aaron Phillips was our man of the match who scored 43 runs before the tail end faltered leaving us 23 runs short.

In addition to this there was news coming in from Headingly of a Sussex capitulation and a late chastening defeat with our lad not troubling the scorers.

Once again Cricket wins out for the Nomads this weekend. For a short while its the best sport that anyone can play and bring’s about an intense sense of pride, team spirit and enjoyment. And then just like that it deals a sickening blow.

Oh well onward’s and upwards.

Cobo