NOTTS BATTING FAILS TO IGNITE

On a day when the top temperature was nine degrees, Notts top order batting froze once again as Notts posted an inadequate 161, in reply Durham closed on 55 for three.

With Wessels injured, Notts made a late change instead of the announced Mullaney it was in fact Carter who took his place. Patel meanwhile was back in the line-up to replace White.

Play was delayed for 75 minutes by light drizzle; the expected heavy downfalls mercifully never arrived. Durham won the toss and inserted Notts. It was very much regression to mean, as Edwards was plumb leg before to Callum Thorp (bowling from the Finchale End) for seven, no surprise there. Hales then edged Onions to second slip for five, 16 for 2; a familiar looking start. It got worse as the pacy Stokes had Lumb leg before for nine. Patel pushed up the order at four was strangled down the legside to be caught by keeper/captain Mustard as Claydon was the man very much with a plan, Patel gone for 13, 38 for four.

Taylor and Read played and missed, edged and groped but they did manage to put on 66 in 22 overs. Taylor was then taken low down at third slip off Stokes, for an innings high 32. Eight balls later, the smoking gun finger of Lloyds removed Read leg before to a ball going over the stumps, Read gone for a 74-ball 28, Mitch Claydon being the lucky bowler.  

The General and Phillips chiselled out another 42 runs, until Notts bottom order imploded. Phillips mistimed a pull and was caught and bowled by Onions for 17, as ball went into orbit and back. Adams defended one, and then went to back to his default setting; as he swished and missed on balls two and three with hay-cutter shots. Ball four saw Adams' stumps demolished giving Claydon his third wicket.

Franks had his off stump removed by Onions for 17, 148 for six had become 148 for nine. Fletch slogged a couple of fours before edging to slip as Onions finished with four wickets. The wicket and the conditions did help the bowlers but the Notts total seemed at least 50 below par. Extras meanwhile made the honours board once again with a steady 21, helped somewhat by five no balls from Claydon.

For once di Venuto failed against Notts, sking Phillips to square leg where Lumb took a fine running catch over his shoulders. Adams replaced Fletcher and ex-Notts man Smith edged to third slip where Patel took the catch, 26 for two. The left hander Stoneman, edged to Edwards at second slip who managed to hold on as Adams picked up his second wicket. Stokes and Benkenstein added 22 to see Durham closed 106 runs in arrears. Carter bowled two late overs and conceded 13 runs. MAG