Notts draw on anti-climatic day.

When Riki Wessels was out leg before to first ball of the day, this game seemed to be heading for an exciting conclusion. Fine batting from Lumb and Mullaney against hostile bowling from Steve Finn ensured that Notts would not subside in the first hour and by the time the players shook hands for the draw at 1700, the match had long petered out to anti-climatic bore.

Lumb was dropped behind the wicket shortly after Wessels dismissal, but slowly and surely, Notts inched their way to safety. Finn bowling at 90 mph from the Radcliffe Road end had both batsman  playing and missing. Rayner was getting some turn but Lumb and Mullaney survived as Notts were scoring at two an over. Once Finn was replaced by the support bowling and proved easy fare as the run rate increased. Denly’s leg spin was introduced and despite getting some vicious turn could not dislodge the batsman as the 100 partnership was reached on the stroke on lunch with Notts 124 for 4 at the interval an overall lead of 247 runs.

Notts went for quick runs after the break, Lumb holed out to Rayner for 55. Three overs later Read who struggled after the returning Finn’s pace was bowled for 5. Mullaney’s fine innings ended when he was caught in the deep for 73 an innings which eight fours and one towering six off Finn over the The Fridge roof. Notts declared on 174 for seven setting Middlesex a stiff 298 runs off a minimum of 51 overs. Mullaney has clearly worked hard in the winter with his batting and his return to form with the bat in this game was most pleasing.

Broad bowled a hostile spell and Strauss was put down after he offered a difficult chance to Read diving to his left. But most of the visitors reply was soporific as they opted for batting practice as they closed on 87 for no loss off 35 overs. Swann did get much turn during his 10 overs. The England captain was unbeaten 43 and Sam Robson on 39. Notts collected 11 points from the match an currently stand top of the championship with a seven point lead but with second place Warwickshire having played two games less.