Notts Triumph in the Frozen North

A fine innings by Michael Lumb coupled with incisive bowling from Ben Phillips and the ever reliable Andre Adams ensured a comfortable and somewhat unexpected victory for Notts in the frozen north. Play started an hour late on Saturday due to heavy overnight rain. The conditions though were inhospitable with a top temperature of 6 degrees C and with a northerly breeze making it feel even colder! Notts had an hour of untroubled batting as Lumb and Read comfortably saw off the new ball as Notts added 51 runs as they lunched on 282 for four. The sun came out after lunch to provide some warmth for the sparse crowd who braved the elements. Onions got one to swing late into Read who lost his middle stump and was out for 29 as the fifth wicket added 72 runs. Lumb’s long vigil ended when he edged the preserving Thorp to point his 131 came off 257 balls with 19 fours, he looks to me a man with something to prove after a couple of frustrating injury-hit seasons, he could prove an inspired signing. Phillips and Franks got bogged down as the runs dried up. Seventeen runs were added in 11 overs, until Franks clipped Claydon to square leg. Adams hit a typically entertaining 22 off 11 balls, but made himself too much room as Claydon castled him. Phillips edged behind and then Carter looking a genuine number 11 became Claydon’s fourth victim as Notts closed on 335, Durham, therefore required an unlikely 368. Just like the first innings di Venuto played a mistimed pull shot off Fletcher, The General took a good catch in the swirling icy wind. Will Smith always looked ill at ease, and with his third delivery Adams had him plumb leg before. Two balls later the left hander Stoneman edged to Patel at third slip, 21 for three. Straight after tea, Ben Phillips had Benkenstein lbw for two; then Adams bowled an absolute Jaffa as the Stokes lost his off stump, 30 for five. The locals headed for the car park in their droves. The Spireite Barrel lost his head and was caught at long leg by Benny Phil off The General as departed for 14, 54 for six. The Colonel added 48 runs with Borthwick as they went on the attack. The young leg spinner then lost his off stump as Carter surprised him as for once he pitched the ball up. Borthwick out for 22. Mustard who hit 88 not out in the equivalent fixture last year was playing extremely well with two enormous sixes. Patel whose first over cost 14 runs, had Thorp stumped as he went charging down the pitch, 139 for eight. Onions was badly dropped by Edwards at slip as Notts claimed the extra half an hour at 1900. In the second over of extra time, Mustard who had reached 80 fell to fine catch low down by Taylor at point, 180 for nine, Adams now had four and had bowled superbly once again.  The last pair Claydon and Onions added 23 in the remaining 38balls of the day as play ended in glorious sunshine at 1930. Play started on time on day four as around 30 spectators came to see the last rites, but a heavy shower two overs in meant 30 minutes were lost. Carter despite switching ends bowled very disappointingly as he repeatedly pitched short. Claydon tucked in and helped himself to career best 55. Patel was sensibly introduced and Claydon holed out as Fletcher took a catch on the run! The last pair had added 73 in 17 overs as the game ended at 1210 with Notts winning by 114 runs. Adams finished with 4 for 68 and Patel two for 26. The win came as a welcome surprise particularly after being all out for a paltry 161 on day one. Taylor and Lumb have made the batting much more solid and with Voges arriving in the third week of May has the potential to be the strongest for nearly decade. The bowling though is I fear a little too dependent on the five star Adams. Durham though possessing an embarrassment of riches in the seam department do not look particularly strong in the batting department as di Venuto and Benkenstein in particular are beginning to show signs of age. With Collingwood and Steve Harmison on big bucks they also cannot afford an overseas player other than for the baseball in June. MAG