Familiar First Innings Woes

Without Andre Adams (heavy cold), Chris Read lost a crucial toss at TB today as Somerset were given ideal bowling conditions. Somerset were however missing overseas star Vernon Philander.

Play got under way, an hour late due to heavy early morning rain. With the ball clearly likely to swing Trescothick decided to open the bowling with his own king of swing Peter Trego, who once took six wickets at The Bridge in his Crusader days.

With Mr Angry bowling from the Radcliffe Road, the Notts openers had a tough time. Edwards whose lack of footwork brings back memories of The Starship was leg before once again, cannon fodder for Trego, 14 for one.

Left hander Michael Lumb was hit the nether regions by Steve Kirby and lasted four balls, before becoming Trego’s second leg before victim, Lumb failing to trouble the scorers. Hales nibbled outside off stump and edged Kirby into Kieswetter’s gloves. Next over and on the stroke of lunch Patel failed to get to the pitch of the ball and edged Trego to gully, Patel out for 4, Notts went to lunch on 20 for four.

It got no better after lunch as Taylor edged Kirby to the keeper to depart for two, 34 for five. Read chanced his arm and rode his luck but in the dark dank conditions decided attack was the best form of the defence, hitting one massive six in to the Fox Road stand. Mullaney who replaced the ill Adams added 55 with his captain, before shouldering arms and being comprehensively bowled by Lewis Gregory for 10. The players departed the field immediately due to a heavy shower with Notts on 89 for four.

Play resumed 140 minutes later at 1730, Read had time to hit Kirby for 4 to reach a typically valiant 50 off just 60 balls as the rain returned once again and Willey Wombat and Dougal Cowley decided enough was enough as Notts closed on a sorry 93 for six.

Without Adams Notts have another mountain to climb. The manager meanwhile decided to drop Carter after his mixed performance in the Geordie Arctic Circle, as left arm quick Harry Gurney was given his first team debut.

More rain is forecast for the next three days

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