Day 2 v Warwickshire LV= at Edgbaston

3 TONS AS BEARS WEIGH HEAVY ON NOTTS

Notts go into the third day of this fixture at Birmingham 488 runs behind with nine first innings wickets remaining.

A belated acceleration saw Warwickshire pile up a massive 574 for seven declared, but earlier far over-cautious batting on this featherbed pitch saw The Bears miss out on two gift-wrapped bonus points. Furthermore by batting up to 70 minutes of the second day close their only route for victory lies in bowling Notts out twice, whereas an earlier declaration would have left them with an insurance option of setting up a run chase.

Play surprisingly began on time despite the stygian gloom, but umpires Cook and O’Shaughnessy took the players off 24 minutes in to widespread Brummie rants. After a 10 minute stoppage the players came back for another two overs before bad light and then light drizzle drove the players off for an early lunch.

Play continued uninterrupted from 1255 onwards without further loss of play so the crowd got 84 overs for their ration. Progress was initially slow and steady and with the score on 291 in the 99^thover, Westwood’s massive innings was terminated as he pulled a shot off Fletch straight to The General at long leg.  The partnership between captain’s former and present had added 177 in 50 overs. Westwood’s 171 took 307 balls and included 23 fours. Tiny Tim blasted a quick fire 25 off 33 balls before edging Franks to Hales at first slip, with Ambrose’s departure Warwick stood at 337 for five with one over left to get their fourth batting point. Next over, Clarke played out White as if his life depended on it and Warwick had a miserable three batting points on the very easy paced pitch.

The introduction of Clarke though gave the soporific innings much needed impetus as White and Mullaney leaked runs before tea as 117 runs were added in the 20 overs as Warwick went in on 454 for five.

With a mixed weather forecast for Saturday, a teatime declaration seemed the sensible option, but the home side batted a further 15 overs as another 120 runs were added at eight an over as Notts faced a follow-on target of 425 in their first innings. Clarke raced to his ton in just 90 balls as White and Franks were given severe tap. Clarke who had 18 fours and four sixes was finally out for 126 caught on the deep square leg ropes by Bravo. Two overs later Troughton’s 259 ball vigil ended when he played round a delivery from White to depart bowled for 151 an innings that included 19 fours. Still Warwick ground on for another four overs as they finally declared at 1640 on 574 for seven declared, their highest ever against the Green and Gold. Adams for once was wicketless as there were two wickets apiece for White, Fletcher and Pattinson.

The ease of the pitch could be gauged in many ways as Troughton and Westwood both got their first two tons for two seasons but more obviously as Notts put on extremely rare half-century opening partnership. Turner though is now running out of innings as he edged Woakes to Chopra at slip who took a catch low down as the Geordie parted for 19, 54 for one. Despite a few false strokes Hales was unbeaten on 51 as Notts closed on 86 for one off 21 overs. If they show sufficient application this match should be saved but first of all they have a run mountain to climb.

Warwickshire First Innings  
574/7 dec (144 ov)


Westwood 171
Troughton 151
Clarke 126


Pattinson 2/65
Fletcher 2/97
White 2/145


Nottinghamshire First Innings
86/1


Hales 51*
Turner 19
Bravo 8*


Woakes 1/39