Wessels has a Good Friday!

A solid batting effort headed by a fine Riki Wessels unbeaten 100 saw Notts in command with a lead of 343 with three second wickets standing on an entertaining Good Friday at the Bridge.

Edwards and Hales added 94 for the first wicket until both falling shortly before lunch. Hales survived a difficult chance at third slip as Klinger failed to cling on to a chance off the old war horse Richardson. Hales who hit six fours played a careless shot to caught low down in the covers off Cameron for 46. Two overs later, Edwards who had been dropped on 30 fell leg before to the ever impressive Richardson for 48, 103 for two The floodlights came on during the afternoon session (now allowed under championship regulations) and remained on for the rest of this dank day where the top temperature was nine degrees. Without artificial illumination three hours of play would have probably been lost.Richardson got one to which jagged back to Taylor who shouldered arms and departed plumb leg before for 13, 137 for three. Lumb looked in fine form getting to 40 until edging slow left armer Choudhry into Scott’s gloves.

Read joined Wessels and the pair took the game from Worcester adding 134 in 32 overs of fine batting. Read hit a massive six into The Fridge and also hit another seven boundaries in a typical impish 68, before becoming the first of three late victims to the second new ball. Read leg before to Lucas, and then after hitting a four Franks was somewhat bemused to see Grim Tim’s finger being raised as he too was leg before, this time to Richardson. Finally Ben Phillips fell leg before to Lucas on what became the last ball of the day as Notts closed on 355 for seven off 95.2 overs. Richardson was by far the most impressive of the visitors attached with 27-6-71-3.

Wessels though was the hero of the day, as hit his maiden championship ton for Notts off 128 balls as remained undefeated on 104 at stumps an innings which including 13 fours all round the wicket. The wicket is playing well so Notts will looking to extend their lead to beyond 400 tomorrow morning, but they will be disappointed if they do not now go on to win this game from such a commanding position.

Nottinghamshire Second Innings 355/7 at stumps

Riki Wessels 104 not out

Chris Read 68

Neil Edwards 48

Notts lead by 343 runs

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