The nomads of 2011: A trip down the memory lane

If such the common sight there are always good reasons to be nostalgic.
Well done Nomdas

The Freiburg Nomads will have to wait for about a month to start the new season, however, they will begin training already next week. It is very annoying to stay without cricket when the weather so nice, just perfect for a game of cricket. But then while we wait I just want to be a bit nostalgic and remember the last season -- unique one in many respects. It started with lots of doubt about the team and about the ground. Finally, we managed to get an XI and also got access to the ground roughly on every second Sunday. But what a season that turned out to be.

- For the first time we played more away games than home games, 

- for the first time we have at least one score of 40+ in every game, 

- for the first time two centuries were scored -- on at home, on in an away fixture while chasing, 

- for the first time we won 5 games in a row and overall ended up with a clean record at home and of the 10 matches we played we won 9 and lost one away fixture.

So I thought it is important to pay tribute to those amazing players who made it all possible. Everyone contributed so I do not want the list below to be a rating in any form, the players appear in alphabetical order as per their first name.

Adnan Yousuf

Adnan Yousuf - He comes from Pakistan and studies in micro-system-technology at the IMTEK. Everyone in the team know that he has the talent. But finally in this season, Adnan started to value his place in the team. This was his special season in which he contributed with ball and bat. I dont think he ever disappointed his captain on any occasion.

Ajit Padmanabhan - He comes from Salem, India and is a PhD student. Played only one game when he opened with Purav in the first match. Showed some promise, hopefully this season he will have chance to show his worth.

Arpit Patel

Arpit Patel - Came to Freiburg to study forestry from Gujrat in India. The first thing I remember noticing about him was a throw he sent in from boundary on the non-strike end. Last season he showed that his slower bowling is more effective than his medium pacers. Ended up as the highest wicket taker. Besides his bowling he always provides a reliable option as a left batsmen in the lower middle order and what a wonder he is one of our match winner.  Oh, by the way he is a very skilled dancer as well. Too bad that he might have to leave Freiburg. But Arpit, thank you very much for being a part of us and helping us taste victories and joy both on and off the field.

Feyas

Feyas - He come from Sri Lanka. A quiet guy, but a very solid right hand batsmen, a great fielder, occasional bowler, and much more a team man. Did not get much chances in the last season abilities only on a couple of occasions. With some players leaving this season will get him more opportunities and perhaps more runs for him and FNCC.

Nichola

Nicholas - After a long time a German native joined us. He participated in some games. I assume that he learned something about cricket. Perhaps he was our lucky charm. as we won whenever he accompanied us.

Nila

Nila - He comes from Tamilnadu and studies in the IMTEK. Finally, there is someone who likes to bowl more than bat. I have not seen anyone improving and maturing so much with every match. As the season progressed he even got a chance to open the bowling. He is without doubt a good player and if he builds stamina and works out his travel sickness problem, he will become highly valuable.

Pandiyan

Pandiyan - Yet another player from Tamilnadu who is working towards his phd in polymer science (I assume). Returned to FNCC after a gap of one season and what a return it turned out to be. Vijay trusted him and sent in at one down and right from the first matched he showed his intension. But it was his epic innings in Karlsruhe that will reverberate in memory for a long time -- while chasing 259 runs, when no one gave us any realistic chance -- we were playing just for pride -- and he score a century. That innings from Pandiyan gave an unmeasurable amount of confidence which carried us through all tough situation throughout the season.

Parthibhan

Parthibhan -  Yet another guy from Tamilnadu who studied at the IMTEK (whats with the Tamilnadu guys and IMTEK). A big guy who looks rather lazy. Usually we sent him in the lower order. But for once Vijay commited the mistake of promoting him as he opened innings with Rehan. Ask Basel CC what happened. Rehan's century was to some extent expected but Parthibhan stunned us (and perhaps himself as well) as he scored a half century and got out only after 18 overs. Too bad that he is also leaving this season. Good luck Parthibhan.

Purav Vora

Purav Vora - I have not seen anyone focusing more on while batting than Purav. On our way to Ketsch for our first match, he said he would score a half century and sure he did. I saw that innings and enjoyed every bit. And then that responsible and determined innings on his birthday against the Pak CC when he was forced out. I am sure he will keep the ball used in that match for a long time. As an opener he was revelation and why not he comes from Mumbai, a place that has produced great batsmen. Finally, we should not forget his contributions as a fielder in the point area.

Raghav Pasricha

Raghav Pasricha -I remember his 7 wickets in a losing cause two seasons ago but that performance in my opinion has given Raghav so much confidence that he now believes in himself. In this season he not only contributed with the ball, which he seems to be able to move at will, he batted well and was one of the key players in retaining the left-right hand pair at the wicket. He once picked the longer boundary (long on) to launch a six in Basel when we were running low with the run rate and effectively changed the course of the game. That is, he has the ability to turn the match on his own. One of the match winners for us.

Rahul Raga

Rahul Raga - He joined the team rather late, but very quickly he showed that he is a useful player, both as a batsman and as a bowler. I am very much looking forward to see him perform in the coming season.

Rahul Valecha

Rahul Valecha - A left hander from Gujrat who studied in IMTEK last year. He was very useful player and an important part of our strategy specially while batting. Together with Arpit and Raghav he provided an option to maintain a left-right handed pair at the wicket. Rahul got to bat at different positions including opening the innings and he always did well. A very good fielder and very effective bowler. He was one the young guys in the team who always kept the spirits high. It will be the first match of the season when we will find out how important he has been for us. Good luck Rahul.

Rajesh 

Rajesh Kumar - Just how much optimism and energy one guy can have!! meet Rajesh and you will know the answer. A very good left hand bowler, a useful lower order batsman and an incredible fielder. But perhaps more importantly a great team man who never gives up and never lets you give up. Without doubt he was the key in our plans in the last season and he contributed immensely to those. How dedicated and how good he is can be estimated by the fact that he played against Pak CC with a leg injury and even with one leg he was effective enough to pick a couple of wickets. It will be so damn hard to replace him. But he is generous enough to make himself available for our away matches. In any case Thank you Rajesh for entertaining us, motivating us and helping us win.


Rakesh Kachadia - Second match of the the season, Strassbourg needs one run to equal the score with one wicket in hand, Saghir is bowling, somehow Rakesh ended up at short cover, and even before Saghir could finish his bowling follow through, Rakesh took a diving catch to bring us a win. Rakesh played only one match and left a lasting impression. But this guy from Gujrat, India does not take his cricket serious enough to contribute to the FNCC.

Rakshit

Rakshit - He started late but played few matches. When team is performing well player down the order do not get much chance. That is what happened to Rakshit. But he made his presence felt in the field. Also he has a very noticeable grip.

Rehan Yousuf

Rehan Yousuf  -  He comes from Pakistan but now works as Environmental Engineer in Switzerland, and lives in a village close to Freiburg, so no can be more nomadic than him. Usually Rehan is unlucky but this season, all his luck came together and he played some really great innings including a career best of 129 runs under overcast conditions which set us for the victory in the Rhine cup.

Saghir But

Saghir Butt - I dont think I can write anything to justify Saghir's cricket talent or his importance to the FNCC. He bowls, he bats, he fields, and more importantly he wins matches for us. Over years he has been one of the most consistent performer, just class apart. Last season, he did not get as much chance, as other took the lead but whenever we needed him he was there. Saghir Bhai thank you very much for playing with us.

Shiva - The one cap wonder from Tamilnadu who finished his PhD last and had only time for a match before he left for Frankfurt. In that one match (first of the season) he left his mark and took a wicket.

Vijay

Vijay -- He is another Tamilnadu but for a change he is not studying in IMTEK (his wife does). He is our captain. I am sure he is delighted by the performance in his first season at the helm. A big credit goes to Vijay for his leadership which involved everyone in the process and made everyone feel integral part of the team. His dedication to game is immense and he took notice of every small thing in the match or in the practice and the result was in front of everyone. Very strategically he has pushed himself down the order allowing the top order a freedom as they knew that Vijay is down there to take care of any uncertainties. Also on occasions he surprised us as well as the opposition with this intelligent medium pace bowling. Thank you Vijay for leading us they way only you could.

This was an incredible bunch of player who were very able and confident of their games and that wahy they gelled so well as team. 
Guys it was a pleasure to share the field with you. I have played with many seasons for the FNCC and have shared the field with many exceptionally good players (e.g. Matt Tucker, Matt Kuypers) but this team stands apart not because it was so successful but because it was a team in the real sense of the word. I wish nomads that they retain and maintain such a good team, repeat the success of 2011 and players who are leaving FNCC -- a great future and I am sure that yoy will leave their mark in their respective field.

right arm over

Arvind