v Somerset CB40 at Taunton 2012

Bu-spin-ess as Usual!    

Business as usual for Notts; spinning pitch and another loss as they were humiliated in the Taunton sunshine yesterday.

Somerset won the toss and elected to field as Notts with Pattinson once again missing elected for a bowling line-up with just one capped player. Since Pattinson has been injured all limited overs contests have been lost; Notts look increasingly bare on the bowling front. A winter bowling signing is a must for the DofC.

Notts raced to quick but somewhat fortuitous start as they raced to 96 for one in the 15^th over. Hales (7) all at sea against spin, was leg before to a dreadful reverse sweep shot against debutant Rehman; 19 for one. Wessels although edging a few on the turning surface and Lumb added 77 in 10 overs as young slow left armer Jack Leach proved expensive. Lumb carelessly pulled Hussain to the square leg boundary where Suppiah took the catch. His 41 came off 43 balls. Wessels who looks Notts most assertive batsman against spin fell three overs later as Rehman who switched to the River End bowled a snorter ripping out Wessels middle stump who departed for a well made 53 off 42 balls with four 4s and two 6s. Voges (1) carried on his poor form by edging Rehman to Trescothick at slip, 113 for four in the 20^th over. With the score on 133, Read after hitting a six was bowled neck and crop by Hussain.

Notts once again playing too many bowlers having not selected Elstone had precious batting left. Patel (22) who struggled to time the ball was caught behind coming down the pitch as Rehman picked up his third wicket. Mullaney (9) clearly does not relish facing the tweakers and was put out his misery when Rehman now bowling from the Old Pavilion End had him caught behind. Four overs later Ball edged another big spinning ball from the slow left armer to Trescothick; 177 for eight.

Notts took the batting power play far too late as Fletcher subject of a lot of ridicule from the home crowd holed out for a single. Graeme White who had an excellent game at least showed some pride to finish with unbeaten 39 as he added an unbroken 23 with Andy Cater as Notts crawled to 206 for nine as the innings closed. Rehman had proved unplayable with figures of 8-1-16-6.

Notts had three spinners at their disposal, so theoretically still had a fair chance. Unfortunately their one experienced bowler let their down as Somerset raced to 57 in the first five overs as Trescothick and Kieswetter in particular humiliated them. Unbelievably it could have been even worse as at least three more boundaries were prevented by outstanding fielding in the ring; proving if nothing else that Notts team spirit was still in place. Fletcher who had taken six wickets for the stiffs in the week, albeit aided by going for rests in the pavilion to regain breath was a disappointment as he went for 32 off four overs. Carter replaced Patel as Kieswetter who had earlier hit Patel for 22 in one over, was bowled for 23-ball 44. Trego replaced him and Somerset with one eye on the forthcoming baseball final continued to go for all out attack, Trego blasted 26 an innings which included five fours before holing out to the preserving White; 86 for two in the tenth

White at least put the brakes on slightly but Ball (1-0-18-0) and Mullaney (2-0-16-0) proved as expensive as Fletcher and Patel. The rowdy crowd spent the remaining part of the afternoon laughing as the visitors’ ineptitude. Hildreth (4) edged White to first slip, 125 for three. Buttler (26) added 50 in 10 overs with his captain before the returning Carter bowled him. Rehman promoted up the order did not look the part with the bat as he edged Carter to Read with 20 runs now needed. When the winning four was hit there were still 64 balls unused as Somerset cantered home with five wickets to spare. Trescothick finished with unbeaten 87 off 69 balls with 10 fours and one six. White bowled well with 6.2-0-31-2, Patel’s final analysis of 8-0-56-0 does not stand up well to Rehman’s figures.  An afternoon to forget....

Getting Back on Track

Notts Outlaws might be without both Andre Adams and Harry Gurney for the important getting back on track game against Durham. 



Durham are currently on a roll, 2 championship wins on the bounce, beating Australia A and scoring 300+ in their CB40 win yesterday against the Welsh and their Division One status preservation aims will also be boosted by the news that Worcestershire's run machine, Phil Hughes, has been drafted by the Australian A team who play against England Lions tomorrow.
Worcestershire have a key LV= game against fellow strugglers Lancashire also this week.



Samit Patel retains his place in the Lions XI , the first two wickets this morning being taken by a former Notts (or so it was rumoured) target James Harris. 

The third wicket this afternoon was also taken by Harris.

HODD TO CARRY THE LOAD

Gerard Brophy, wicket keeper and big hitter, has been been told he is free to leave by Yorkshire. Andrew Hodd, Sussex 2nds, has been signed on loan for the remainder of the season to play in Championship matches.

Durham Squad travelling to Trent Bridge

PD Collingwood (5) Captain
DM Benkenstein (44)
ID Blackwell (37)
SG Borthwick (16)
ME Claydon (25)
KK Jennings (1)
P Mustard (19) Wicket keeper
MJ Richardson (18)
C Rushworth (22)
WR Smith (2)
MD Stoneman (26)
CD Thorp (36)
MA Wood (33)