Missed Lines, Lengths and Catches disrupt Division 6 Title Bid

Following a chastening home defeat at the hands of Edenbridge last week our Threes were out in force at Ditchling CC today looking to bounce straight back.   Things didn’t quite go to plan!

The vibe in Mid Sussex was one of striking weather conditions as the sun was in total charge throughout a warm and dry afternoon. A north easterly draught brought a cooling effect on proceedings which was a good thing.  Toss won by the Nomads who duly inserted themselves.

It soon became clear that the Ditchling pitch held some demons early in the piece. Michael and Chris had to show real patience against some uneven bound and slow pace. While our hosts handed out extras like candy the two Nomads dug in for an excellent 47 opening stand.  Faisal and Ben continued the hard work as the score moved on to 83 for 3.  English eventually holed out for a well crafted and hard fought 46 runs.  Jamie (29) and Adam (22) held the back end of the inns together nicely with Sam Musto hitting a tasty six off 4 balls.  In the circumstances I felt, as did the team that 157 was a defendable total.

Wrong !

Rafiullah Gul opened with gusto from the clubhouse end and bowled with some purpose.  In his 4 over spell, he managed to beat the bat with a couple of jaffa’s.  But ultimately a few strayed led side deliveries were dispatched.  He returned 17 for no wicket off 4 overs.  Ombaashi struck with his opening ball as the opener flicked at the leg side delivery. English with a difficult take.  However, things started to unravel quickly.  Batting became easy with a volley of leg side full tosses and on side ‘slot balls’.  As Ombaashi, Ben, Asad and Nisar all came in for a bit of ‘tap’ we dropped a dolly at mid-wicket and mis judged a presentable chance on the ropes.  It all became a little messy in the field as the hosts raced to victory before the drink’s interval.  Jamie P showed the way with an accurate and well-constructed spell of 2 for 20 off 4 over. But of course, by then the Nomads race had well and truly been run.

Faisal said to his troops ‘I feel we have the best bowling attack in this division, but we didn’t show it today. We didn’t get our lines right which made it easy for them.  Then in the field we didn’t take our chances and we need to improve in this respect.  Let’s all go to training this week and work on our bowling. Stop trying to bowl as fast as you can and concentrate on accuracy!  He added ‘ its early in the season and if we can get all these things right over the coming weeks I really do feel we can challenge for promotion!’

Bowman said ‘Our threes will need to have a good hard think about how they approach the next couple of matches if collectively they want a promotion chase later in the season.  It’s a certainty that anymore ‘with the ball’ performances like today will result in some nervous glances over the shoulder.  As the skipper said train hard on your lines and lengths this week and then come back stronger against Rottingdean (at home).  You guys are a very talented squad of cricket players lead by a passionate and enthusiastic captain.  Our threes have every potential to win a lot of games at this level!’    It won’t mean a jot to him I am sure, but Michael gets my Nomads MOM for a classy opening knock and great keeping’