Worcestershire Vitality County Championship Div 1 at Trent Bridge Draw 14 points

 

Day 4

HEAVY SHOWERS SAVE NOTTS FROM POSSIBLE EMBARRASSING DEFEAT

Why not give a view from the bridge podcast a listen, Paul Johnson highly critical of the Notts player pathway, if you read between the lines.

or you could listen to eight minutes of Peter Moores waffle

Day 3

2019 RE-VISITED?

CALAMITOUS COLLAPSE No.2 in 2024 (in just the second game), WHAT'S GOING ON PETER?

A disastrous Notts collapse in the last hour from 125-1 to 144-7 on a near blameless pitch meant that the home side go into the last day second favourites as they lead Worcestershire by just 195 with only three wickets standing.

Notts lost their way in the first session after Worcester resumed on 220-6 off 63 overs. Brett D'Oliveira was dropped on 32 at mid-wicket by Hameed off Pennington in the 69th over as Notts opted to bowl Pennington and Harrison first thing. Patterson-White replaced Pennington from the Radcliffe Road End in the 71st over and started with a maiden, the first by a Notts spinner in 38 overs during the innings. D'Oliveira hit Patterson-White for four through point to bring up the Worcestershire 250 in the 75th over. The four was a result of a poor piece of fielding from substitute Schadendorf who let the ball go straight through him on the ropes. The next ball was dispatched for six over long on by the Pears skipper to bring up his half century in 89 balls. In the following over, Smith hit Harrison for six over mid-wicket. Patterson-White removed D'Oliveira lbw in the following over, 270 for 7 in the 77th over. The 7th wicket had raised an invaluable 84 in 23 overs. Baker (8) never looked comfortable against the spinners and had lasted 23 balls when he gave Harrison a return catch diving to his left, 279 for 8 in the 82nd over. Leach joined Smith and the pair were playing the spinners comfortable. A cut boundary by Leach through third man off Harrison in the 92nd over took Worcestershire passed 300. Pennington returned from the Radcliffe Road End for the 93rd over. A single for Smith off Harrison in the 94th over took him to 50 off 103 balls. The new ball was finally and belatedly taken by Harrison after 95.2 overs with Worcestershire 315 for 8. At lunch Worcestershire stood on 331 for 8 off 98 overs with Smith on 57 and Leach on 34. Very much the Pears morning with Notts sloppy in the field.

Pennington and Fletcher bowled together after lunch. Smith on 58 was dropped low down by Haynes off Pennington in the covers. Luckily he fell shortly after, swatting Pennington straight to James at long leg to depart for 8 off 136 balls (4x4, 1x6) 347 for 9 in the 105th over. Smith and Leach had shared a ninth wicket partnership of 68 in 23 overs. The Worcestershire 350 came up in the 108th over via a single for Leach off Fletcher. Harrison (5 for 128) picked up his fifth wicket and career best figures when he bowled Finch (3), on the sweep, leg stump. A promising display following his maiden 50 yesterday. He was supported by the wholehearted Pennington (3-62). Worcestershire 355 all out with Leach 48 not out off 88 balls (7x4). Notts led by 44 runs on first innings far less than what it should/could have been with Notts losing their way in the morning session.

Leach (Pavilion End) and Smith shared the new ball and Hameed and Duckett stood firm. Holder came on for the 10th over for a single over from the Radcliffe Road End before immediately changing ends to the Pavilion End. Baker started his spell from the Radcliffe Road End in the 12th over. A single for Duckett off Holder saw Notts to 50 in the 13th over. Notts got to tea on 59 for 0 in the 16th over with Duckett on 29 and Hameed on 29. The game seemingly drifting for a draw on the docile pitch and with the Kookaburra ball giving the bowlers little assistance.

With some of the crowd nodding off, Hameed, not getting to the pitch of the ball, skied Baker to Jones in the covers to depart for 40 (off 83 balls, 3x4); 81 for 1 for 24th over. Nathan Smith replaced Finch from the Pavilion End for the 29th over with a straight driven four by Duckett bringing up his 50 of 73 balls and Notts going past 100. In the following over, Slater hit Baker for six over mid-wicket. The game though was to take a sudden turn as Notts somehow contrived to lose 6 wickets for 19 runs and Smith take 4 wickets for no runs in seven deliveries.

Duckett's innings ended when he was chipped a delivery from Smith, bowling round the wicket, to Jones at square leg who took the catch low down. Duckett out for 63 (off 87 balls, 6x4); 125 for 2 in the 35th over. Two balls later, Clarke was brilliantly caught off the inside edge by keeper Roderick diving a long way to his left to depart without scoring, a second wicket in the over for Smith. Off the last ball of the over, Montgomery fell lbw for a three-ball duck, 125 for 4. A triple wicket maiden for the Kiwi. With the first ball of his next over, the pumped-up Smith bowled Haynes off stump for 1 with the delivery jagging in; 127 for 5. Slater was dropped on 21 by Jones at square leg off Smith but fell in the next over caught at short leg by Kashif Ali off Baker for 23, 137 for 6 in the 40th over. Finch replaced Baker for the 43rd over and with his fourth delivery Harrison (3) shouldered arms and lost his off stump, 144 for 7. The second embarrassing and unforgivable collapse by Notts in a week, the batsmen have to learn handle pressure situations in a much better way. James (7 not out) and Patterson-White (1 not out) survived the final 33 balls of the day as Notts closed on a sorry 151-7 off 48 overs.

A top temperature of 7 degrees and gale force winds are forecasted tomorrow, the worst forecast for bowling imaginable albeit on an eight-day old surface. Notts will be hoping to either add another 50 runs or that the light showers forecast take a large chunk of playing time out of the day after what can only be described as a calamitous third day today. MAG

Day 2

HARRISON HAS AN ALL ROUND GOOD DAY

but James misses out on century

Notts lead by 179 runs at the end of the second day of their match against Worcestershire. The visitors closed on 220-6 in reply to Notts’ 399 all out.

Notts resumed on 305-6 with James and Harrison at the crease. They carried on their good work from the previous evening on the slow surface. In the 103rd over, a single for James off Leach (Pavilion End) saw him to his half ton off 108 balls. Finch replaced Smith from the Radcliffe Road End for the 106th over and conceded 12 as Notts chased their third batting point. In the following over a four through mid-wicket by Harrison off Leach brought up the 100 stand in 226 balls. A four through the covers by Harrison off Finch saw Notts to 350 off 108 overs. At the bonus point cut-off, Notts were 362-6 off 110 overs. A pushed single off Holder by Harrison took him to a maiden first class 50 off 141 balls. Harrison (52 off 148 balls, 7x4) skied Baker and Libby took the catch running back from mid-on to take a well-judged effort . The 7th wicket stand added 146 runs, a record for Notts in this fixture beating the 139 stand between Cyril Poole and Bruce Dooland at New Road in 1956. Patterson-White was disappointedly out for a seven-ball duck leg before to D'Oliveira, umpire Wharf taking his time before raising the finger, 385 for 8 in the 119th over. In the 124th over, Fletcher (6) hit Baker for six over long off, but fell in the same over going for a quick single to Brett D'Oliveira at mid-off the Worcester skipper finding the stumps with a direct hit, 396 for 9. James (96 off 180 balls, 9x4) hit a waist high full toss from Finch straight to Baker at mid-wicket. James stayed at the crease hoping the umpires would call no-ball but to no avail. A fine effort from James who followed up his stellar 2022 season with the bat with Notts 405 runs @17.60 last season. James sole half-ton being his 50 at The Oval in July 399 all out off 128.2 overs. Pennington 0 not out. Nathan Smith (3-67), who did not take a wicket today, was the pick of the bowlers. Special mention for Josh Baker who fought back well after being demolished by Clarke yesterday to finish with 34-7-99-2.

Notts got off to a tremendous start with the ball. Fletcher removed Roderick lbw with the third ball of the reply, 0 for 1. In the following over, Libby (2) was brilliantly caught one-handed by Harrison diving full length to his right at third slip off Pennington, 4 for 2. After a three over opening spell, Pennington was replaced by James from the Pavilion End. Patterson-White came on for the 18th over. Four overs later, Jones hit Patterson-White for six over mid-wicket. Jones was dropped on 32 by Clarke diving to his left off Pennington in the 25th over, a hard chance. Pennington subjected Kashif Ali (40), who scored twin tons in previous match at Edgbaston, to a sustained short ball barrage. The right-hander was clearly struggling and eventually Pennington got his man when he backed away and topped edged him to Haynes at third man who took the catch diving forwards, 82 for 3 in the 27th over. An all-Worcestershire dismissal. Harrison replaced Patterson-White, who bowled a poor five-over spell, for the following over. James replaced Pennington for the last over before tea. Worcestershire 90 for 3 off 31 overs at tea with Jones on 38 and Hose on 5.

Fletcher and Harrison bowled in tandem after tea in the evening sunshine. A swept four by Jones off Harrison brought up the Worcestershire 100 in the 34th over. Harrison was starting to get the ball to turn. A cut shot over the slips by Jones off Fletcher brought up his 50 off 105 balls. James returned for the 39th over. Patterson-White switched ends and came on for the 45th over. Then came a spell where Worcestershire lost three wickets in eight overs. Attempting a shot to mid-wicket, Hose (33) was caught and bowled skying a mistiming a ball from Harrison which looped back to the bowler who took an easy catch, 155 for 4 in the 46th over. Jones hit Harrison for a straight six in the 48th over. Jones pushed back a delivery from Harrison and was caught and bowled low down to his right by Harrison for 90 (off 142 balls, 8x4, 2x6), 186 for 5 in the 54th over. Holder lasted two balls before edging Harrison to Duckett at first slip, 186 for 6 in the 54th over. Smith joined D’Oliveira and the pair saw out the remaining nine overs, An edged four by Smith off Patterson-White meant Worcestershire passed 200 in the 59th over. Stumps were drawn at 18:20 with Worcestershire on 220-6 off 63. The wicket remains very slow, but Harrison (18-0-78-3) in particular was getting the ball to turn. Patterson-White (15-0-57-0) was better from the Radcliffe Road End but there were too many short balls from the slow left-armer. Indeed the two spinners had bowled 33 overs between them without a single maiden. MAG

Day 1

LED BY ANOTHER CLARKE TON, NOTTS MAKE STEADY PROGRESS

Joe Clarke led the way with 105 (off 185 balls, 9x4, 3x6) as Notts after winning the toss finished on 305-6 off 96 overs against Worcestershire on another windy day at Trent Bridge.

On the same strip that was used against Essex. Notts elected to bat and the wicket expected to spin there were recalls for Liam Patterson-White, for the first time since last May, and Luke Fletcher with Brett Hutton and Dane Paterson both carrying injuries.

Joe Leach (Pavilion End) and Kiwi all-rounder Nathan Smith shared the new ball in the early morning sunshine. In the 4th over, Hammed, attempting to whip the ball towards mid-wicket but losing his balance, was bowled by Smith for 11, 19 for 1. Four overs later, Duckett nibbled at a ball from Smith (9) and edged behind to keeper Roderick, 34 for 2. Clarke joined Slater in the middle and played sensibly. Holder replaced Smith for the 12th over and Finch replaced Leach in the 13th over. The Notts 50 came up in the 15th over. Slow left armer Josh Baker came on in the 20th over from the Radcliffe Road End. Smith returned for the 23rd over with Notts making steady progress. Just before lunch, D'Oliveira came on for the 29th over. Slater was dropped on 40 at short leg by Kashif Ali off Baker. Notts 83 for 2 off 30 overs at lunch with Slater on 40 and Clarke on 16.

Leach and Baker were bowling immediately after lunch, a boundary for Slater off Baker saw Notts to 100 in the 34th over. In the same over, Slater to get his 50 off 103 balls and Clarke hoisted the slow left-armer for 6 over long on and a straight four, 16 off the over. In the 36th over Clarke hit Baker for 6 over deep extra cover and then got a single to reach his 50 off 88 balls. With Baker proving expensive, he was taken off and replaced by Finch. A pulled four through square leg by Slater off Finch brought up the 100 partnership off 183 balls. Slater hit Finch for six over backward square leg in the 42nd over. Next over, Holder came back on. Despite the pitch being now on its fifth day, it still had little terror, although it was very much on the slow side. Clarke hit Finch for successive boundaries but in the same over, Slater (70 off 142 balls, 7x4, 1x6) was dismissed, strangled down the leg side caught by Roderick, 167 for 3 in the 46th over. The third wicket had added 133 in 38 overs. Though skipper D’Oliveira put four men were on the boundary for Clarke, he accelerated from 16 to 68 in just 48 balls before slowing down following the dismissal of Slater. Right-armer seamer Smith picked up his third wicket, as a flat-footed Montgomery (11) edged to Holder at first slip, 190 for 4 in the 55th over. Notts got to 200 in the 57th over via a six over square leg by Clarke off Smith. D'Oliveira returned in the 61st over. Notts got to tea on 223 for 4 off 64 overs with Clarke on 98 and Haynes on 11. Notts adding 140 in the middle session for the loss of two wickets.

Clarke reached a mature 100 off 168 balls with an offside two off Leach in the first over after tea. In his following over, Leach had Haynes lbw for 15, 232 for 5 in the 67th over. Haynes clearly unhappy with the decision of umpire Wharf. Notts were wobbling when three overs later Clarke (105), attempting a cut shot, edged Baker to keeper Roderick, 238 for 6 in the 70th over. Harrison surprisingly coming at eight ahead of Patterson-White along with James guided Notts to 250 in the 76th over. Kashif Ali came on a single over bowling leg spin for the 79th over replacing Finch from the Pavilion End. The new ball was taken by Leach and Smith with Notts 260 for 6 off 80 overs. James and Harrison batted the situation perfectly. Holder came on for the 88th over. Smith changed ends to bowl from the Pavilion End for the 91st over. A four through square leg off the returning Baker by Harrison saw Notts pass 300 in the 95th over. Notts reached the close at 18:20 standing on 305-6 off 96 overs with James (39 not out) and Harrison (25 not out). The seventh wicket pair have so far added 67 in 26 overs. MAG

11/04

The Notts squad has been announced and contains no surprises, other than Tom Moores doesn't even make the published squad:

Haseeb Hameed c

Ben Duckett

Ben Slater

Joe Clarke x

Matthew Montgomery

Jack Haynes

Lyndon James

Liam Patterson-White

Calvin Harrison

Brett Hutton

Luke Fletcher

Dillon Pennington

Dane Paterson

The Pears squad is:

10/04

Following the heavy defeat to Essex, wise sages have warned against making rash decisions and instituting wholesale changes. Give 'em time, let the new faces settle in, let the new skipper find his feet, the bowlers need to find their rhythm, class is permanent etc . Essex have a strong side and should be in the race for the championship, but they shouldn't have beaten Notts by 250+ runs, which begs a few questions:

Why did Notts just roll-over on Monday like the faithful family retriever to have their tummy tickled? Where was the grit, the fight, the pride?

Why couldn't any of the Notts bowlers get the help from the ball and/or the pitch that Sam Cook did? Yes Essex had the best of the bowling conditions on Monday (no gale) but Notts lost their last 16 wickets of that game for just 114 runs, and Cook took a hat trick that derailed our first innings in breezy conditions. Notts looked to be bowling to a plan, bowling short, which was evidently the wrong plan in this observer's opinion. Do we need a new planner?

Poor Brett Hutton gave the appearance that he was playing the last game of the season, not the first, with wary legs and looked as though he was running on fumes.

Dane Paterson managed to bag a 5-fer on auto-pilot in the Essex first innings, but in their second innings looked as though he had just got off a plane (which he had).

If the talismanic Luke Fletcher is fit, I think he should play against Worcestershire. It would give everyone a lift, spectators and players! There are 13 more matches to go, the fitness of Brett and Dane is vital to Notts' hopes and we wouldn't want to break either of them at this very early stage.

The experiment leaving Tom Moores out, in order to play an extra batsman, didn't work on this occasion; Clarke's keeping was on a par with Moores' competency (or otherwise) but Monty's batting didn't cash-in. After one game, I see no reason to throw the baby out with the bath water yet.

I would expect to see Pravda publish the same 14 man squad tomorrow as they did last week. The beaten eleven plus Fletch, Toby and Tom Moores.