Day 1 v Durham LV= at Trent Bridge

HONOURS EVEN AT THE BRIDGE

Honours were even at Trent Bridge as Durham closed on 44 for three in reply to Notts slightly disappointing 270 at sunny Trent Bridge today.

Graeme White replaced Ireland bound Samit Patel and Pattinson replaced Shreck as Read won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket very much on the Bridgford Road side of the square. Durham meanwhile were missing Harmison (x2), Stokes, Borthwick, Onions and Plunkett but still had possessed a strong batting line-up.

Turner did not last long shouldering arms to Thorp and seeing his bails gone, 21 for one. Bravo and Hales added 58 at four an over until Bravo chased one from Brathwaite to exit caught behind for 23. Hales was batting extremely confidently and went to lunch 79 not out as Notts had reached the relative comfort of 116 for two. Hales received the player of the month award at lunchtime from sponsors PKF.

Notts though lost their way in the afternoon session, Wessels whose share of third wicket partnership was three, edged the preserving Claydon to Mustard. Durham had done their homework as Mullaney once again fell to a short down the legside with Mustard taking his third catch off the brisk Mark Wood, 151 for four.

Read added 32 with Hales but edged Thorp bowling from the Radcliffe Road as Mustard got his fourth catch of the innings. With the first batting point just attained, Hales top edged an attempted pull shot and was caught lowdown by Stoneman off Brathwaite for a splendid 115 off 175 balls with 16 fours. An innings in the context of the match which may prove priceless. Adams was badly dropped off a skier as Notts went to tea on 225 for six.

Adams though kept playing his natural game and holed out at long on off Claydon for 13. Franks had played another doughty innings but edged Claydon to di Venuto at first slip as he departed for a patient 34. 

White fell leg before next over to Blackwell as Notts were now 239 for nine. Pattinson thought that attack was the best form of defence and hit three sixes towards the short Bridgford Road boundary, the first of which was caught by Brathwaite but his foot was over the rope. Another six was a one-handed effort into the Clarke Stand. The fun though did not last long as Notts closed on 270 all out, a score about 30 below par on a wicket giving the bowlers a bit of assistance. Pattinson out for entertaining 28. Durham second string attack had bowled well with Claydon finishing with three wickets.

Durham were due to face 22 overs before the close but Pattinson (Radcliffe) and Fletcher (Pavilion) bowled fine opening spells. Keyman di Venuto edged Fletcher to Hales at slip to depart for two. Fletcher signed a new contract keeping at the club until 2014 today, good news for Notts fans but bad news for Bunnyman Marcus down Taunton Way! Pattinson got one to move in and Smith departed in identikit fashion to Karl Turner shouldering arms. Things got even better when Stoneman edged Pattinson to Mullaney in the cordon, Durham 27 for three. The light was closing in and the players came off for bad light with 13 balls unbowled with Durham 226 behind on 44 for three with Collingwood and Benkenstein at the wicket.

Heavy rain is forecast for the whole of tomorrow, but a result can easily be achieved in three days in this fascinating contest.

Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to bat. [only the second time this season that Phil Mustard hasn't won the toss]


Notts First Innings


270 all out (71.3ov)


Hales 115
Franks 34
Pattinson 28


Claydon 3/84


Durham First Innings

Bowled a bouncer that drove
 the umpires off early

44/3 (19.5 ov) Bad Light stopped play for the day


Stoneman 17
Collingwood 12*
Smith 5


Pattinson 2/17
Fletcher 1/17