Tons for Lumb and Taylor as Notts push home their Dominance

A day of total domination for Notts as they closed on 443 for four a lead of 272 runs over visiting Sussex. Notts found batting difficult early on with Lumb dropped in the covers and then in the sixth over of the day, Khan bowling from the Radcliffe Road got one to skid through Wessels (43) defences and leave only one stump standing (94 for two). Patel came to crease and Sussex knowing his weaknesses bowled numerous short balls down the legside hoping that he might edge one. The plan though failed as Patel made 43 off 67 balls with eight fours before edging Nash’s fifth ball of the morning to Yardy at slip. Patel and Lumb had added 90 in just 20 overs against somewhat ragged bowling.  Notts went to lunch on 198 for three with Lumb undefeated on 69, having batted quite excellently. Taylor and Lumb looked solid after the interval, the demons from the Radcliffe Road had slowly dispersed and the track was now much easier to bat on. Panesar proved economical but never really looked like taking wickets, bowling almost at medium pace. Lumb reached his ton off 192 balls, both fifties coming off 96 balls. He once again showed why he has been such a superb signing, a rock solid number three who can both attack and defend and crucially can bat for long periods without losing concentration. Taylor although struggling to time the ball at times showed plenty of pluck and reached his fifty by hooking James Anyon into The Fridge to get to his 50.  Notts reached tea on 323 for three with Lumb on 138. Taylor was badly dropped by Luke Wright at deep square leg off Khan when on 59 as Notts put the foot on the accelerator after tea.  Lumb added a further 33 runs to his tea score taking a particular liking to Khan, but after equalling Sussex’s first innings effort he was bowled by Magoffin. His 171 came off 273 balls and included 27 fours and two sixes; he left to a standing ovation from a good sized Saturday crowd enjoying the sunshine. The fourth wicket stand had added 188 runs in 50 overs. Notts went top of the championship reaching maximum batting points with two overs to spare. Taylor drove Khan through the covers to reach his maiden championship ton for Notts. With Voges (32*) a further 71 were runs were added as Notts closed on 443 for four off 120 overs with power to add, Taylor’s 106 not out came off 202 balls with 15 fours and one six. All three wickets today fell from the Radcliffe Road End making it 12 from the 14 wickets so far to fall in the match. With rain forecast for 1500 tomorrow, Read has a choice to bat for an hour or immediately insert Sussex in overhead conditions which could aid swing bowling.  Khan was the pick of the visiting attack who gave away far too many extras. Nash like at Hove was under bowled, Yardy preferring the mechanical Panesar who has now bowled 30 wicketless overs.

Durham show fight at last.

On the receiving end of a sound thrashing at Chester le Street against Middlesex for much of the first day and a half; being bowled out in their second innings to leave Middlesex a target of 118. The Durham seamers then set about the Middlesex batsmen leaving them 58/5 at stumps in a rapidly moving game that even had time for a rain interruption during the afternoon.

Surrey Grit it out

Warwickshire extended their first innings, with a view to only batting once, to 571, Chris Woakes 118 not out.

Surrey lost Ansari early-doors for 10 but then Burns and Harinath gritted it out to the close, 109/1.

Academy Dominate too

Notts Academy had a comfortable 9 wicket win over Welbeck, 3 wickets each for Jake Ball and Adam Tillcock. In reply Academy's innings was dominated by Sam Kelsall, 84 not out