Lumb Ton as Adams makes his mark

A big hundred for Michael Lumb was the highlight of the second day’s play against Middlesex, as Notts are well placed for victory, weather permitting.

Hales (79) added eight to his overnight score before edging Murtagh to Strauss at first slip, the second wicket partnership with Lumb had amassed 150 runs. Wessels returning for the first time in the month looked in fine touch. Notts reached 200 to record their first batting point at The Bridge to ironic applause. Lumb was looking very solid until charging Rayner on 85 and lobbing the ball to Murtagh at mid on who managed to spill the easiest of dolly catches. Lumb on 95 survived again by edging Dexter via a deflection from Simpson into Strauss’s fingers who only succeeded in parrying the ball to the extremely short third man boundary. The very next ball Lumb again edged the ball to Strauss at first slip who failed to hold onto the sharp chance as Lumb reached his ton off 213 balls with fourteen fours.

Wessels having batted so well, threw his wicket away on the stroke of lunch as he was run out by Rogers after trying to steal a quick single to mid on, Wessels gone for a 67-ball 41, 233 for three.

Mullaney who had a distinct weakness to the short ball last season was given a barrage of bouncers from Finn as the new ball was taken.  He survived and looked increasing self assured as Notts kept the scoreboard clicking as dark clouds hovered and the floodlights were switched on and remained on for the rest of the day.

Lumb was reprieved on 148 as Simpson missed a stumping, but 14 runs later a tired Lumb hit Berg tamely to mid off with Murtagh this time taking the chance. Lumb who clearly has a taste for large tons departed to a standing ovation having made 162 off 309 balls with 23 fours, 328 for four. Shortly afterwards a sharp shower forced the players off for an early tea.

No time was lost, as on the resumption Mullaney pulled enormous six off Berg which sailed over the top of The Fridge and into the Bridgford Road. A cover drive straight after brought Mullaney to invaluable 50, a fine effort and welcome return to form after his 2011 woes. Notts needed six an over to get to maximum batting points but a succession of batsman lost their wickets going for the 400. Mullaney holed at the deep mid wicket boundary off Berg having made 60. Broad hit a six and a four but departed edging Finn to Strauss at slip for 12, 382 for six. Next over, Read holed out to Dexter for 13 and three balls later Swann was leg before to the same bowler as Notts had subsided to 384 for eight. With 16 now needed off two overs, Adams came to the crease but his own idiosyncratic style he deposited two huge sixes into the stands as the 400 was reached with a ball to spare. Off the final ball of the 110^thover, Middlesex were denied a third bowling point after the umpires agreed that Berg had not taken Adams cleanly whilst catching the ball on the square leg boundary.

Adams departed after a rapid 29 miscuing a ball to Dexter at long on as Finn picked up his fourth wicket. Gurney departed for a duck as Notts were 423 all out with Finn the pick of the bowlers with 35-7-117-4.

Middlesex had 22 overs to survive, but in his second over from the Radcliffe Road end, Gurney bowling with some pace had Strauss well caught by Read diving to his left, as the England captain trudged back with just two to his name.  Adams came on from the Pavilion End and as ever picked up wickets, Robson (9) edged to Read and shortly before the close Middlesex captain Chris Rogers edged Adams to Mullaney who took the catch at third slip. With Joe Denly undefeated on 32, Middlesex closed the day on 51 for three, still needing 223 runs to avoid the follow on.