Nottsview: v Warwickshire LV= 2012 Edgbaston

Hales, Read Rescue!

An unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 119 runs at least salvaged some pride for Notts on a bad day for the Green and Gold at Edgbaston.

Although the calendar read August 30, the performance was all too familiar to the September Shambles that seems to afflict Notts almost on an annual basis. Warwickshire added 206 runs for the loss of one wicket in 37 hapless overs. White struggled throughout with loanee Ian Blackwell depositing him for four sixes as he raced to 69 in 59 balls. White’s final figures of 25-1-135-1 were accurate reflection of his performance. He did have the satisfaction of picking up the only Notts wicket of the day, night watchman Chris Wright (53) being well caught at long off by leaping Andy Carter. The sixth wicket partnership had raised 97 in 23 overs.

Although Fletcher continued to bowl manfully with Franks only bowling six overs on the day, the support bowling proved easy pickings as Tiny Tim and Blackwell added 127 runs in 19 overs as The Bears got to maximum batting points. Ambrose got to his first ton in three seasons off 169 balls but his final 50 took only 54 balls as he reached his 150 with a huge six off White who had now switched to the City End, Warwickshire declared seven overs after lunch on 504 for six with Ambrose on 151 and Blackwell 69 not out with five sixes and four fours. Fletcher who went for 24 in his last three overs can be pleased with figures of 37-13-102-2 on the flat pitch.

Notts faced 16 balls and were nine for nought, when drizzle drove the players off. Soon after they returned 30 minutes later, Wessels (10) played a poor shot as he clipped Wright straight to Ian Westwood who caught the ball low down at square leg. With the score on 45 Lumb (12) edged a drive off Barker to be caught at slip. It got even worse three overs later when Taylor (1) trod on his stumps stepping back to a Wright delivery, 48 for three. Voges devoid of all form was never going to last long as he chased a wide one from 19-year old right arm seamer Tom Milnes first over and the Australian departed via a fine gully catch from Porterfield.

Credit Hales and Read though for stopping the rot on what was still an easy paced pitch. Hales was dropped on 38 by the normal reliable Rikki Clarke at slip and was still there on a patient 80 not out at the premature close due to bad light with 62 balls unused. A typical impish 54 not out from Read saw Notts through to 188 for four, still 167 runs short of avoiding the follow-on. However it should be a tall order for Warwickshire to take 16 wickets on a dead pitch on the final day.

Warwickshire had bowled adequately but their attack did not look as potent as during the equivalent fixture 12 months ago. Clarke is not bowling at the moment and Rankin looked less sharp than normal. Chris Wright bowled well and at a brisk pace which Read in particular was struggling with at times.

The recovery continued on Day Four, Chris Read falling just short of a deserved century but Alex Hales remained until the Notts declaration at 356/8.
Alex Hales 155*
Chris Read 95*
No Balls 30 in a total of 49 extras.

Draw-dom

A placid pitch and another lost day meant that the odds were always stacked against a positive result for this game.; and so it proved when hands were shaken on Jim Troughton's dismissal on 86/3.

Well played to Hales and Fletcher both of whom are getting back towards their best.