Read the Lone Star

Chris Read was the undoubted star of another rain hit day at the Bridge. Play commenced on time and Notts lost three quick wickets. Franks was leg before to Trego for 2 and four latter Phillips edged the same bowler into the keepers gloves as Trego went nap. Nine runs letter Kirby removed Fletcher for a single as Notts were now 106 for nine. Gurney on his debut exceeded expectation and managed to hang around for 16 overs as Read opened up. Eventually the last pair added 56 runs as Read reached a magnificent ton off 124 balls. To add salt into The Cidermens wounds Trescothick went lame in the ankle and limped off to hospital in obvious pain. Gurney was bowled middle stump by the ever ebullient Kirby who celebrated the wicket as if he had removed Sachin Tendulkar! Read was left unbeaten on 104 with 15 fours and two sixes and left to a standing ovation. The next highest score was Mullaney on ten as Notts were all out for 162, their highest innings score of the season. The innings brought memories of Clive Rice 105 not out out of 143 all out at Dean Park in the 1981 championship winning season. Trego finished with five for 53 and Kirby three for 52. Gregory replaced Trescothick but had his middle stump removed by Phillips bowling from the Radcliffe Road end. The in-form Compton and Suppiah then put together an unbroken stand of 66 before the heavens opened in mid-afternoon with Somerset on 78 for one. Batting was easier today as the sun shined for once. Phillips was the stand out bowler, Gurney offered a different option bowling with some pace. Franks and Fletcher did not make the batsman play enough. Notts will be hoping for early wickets tomorrow as Somerset appear to be in the box seat. Showers are forecast throughout the weekend. MAG