v Warwickshire LV= 2012 Edgbaston 2012

Birmingham Draw

A fifth wicket partnership of 222 runs between Alex Hales (155 not out) and Chris Read (95) saved the match for Notts at Edgbaston today.

Both batsmen made relatively untroubled progress early doors and Hales sped to his a ton off 153 balls with three fours off an over from young Stourbridge seamer Tom Milnes. The first two fours were classic drives; the last one was a bottom edge to a pull shot. Rikki Clarke’s drop catch last night had proved very expensive.

Read looked certain to also to get to three figures but on 95 came down the pitch to Blackwell who fired the ball wider and Read was stumped despite a late dive for safety. Read’s innings was as invaluable as ever and came off 151 balls with eleven fours; a fantastic effort. Notts were now 291 for five with the game now virtually safe.

The General did not last long playing a loose shot off Rankin to be caught by Warwickshire skipper Troughton at mid on. Graeme White hung around 14 overs despite constantly being beaten for pace by Chris Wright, the second new ball having recently been taken. His departed with all stumps a kimbo as Wright got his deserved reward; 342 for seven. Adams with Wessels as a runner (not if Andre really deals in singles anyway) slogged a four but was out in predictable fashion skying the ball from Wright to Porterfield in the covers. Notts still needed seven runs to avoid the follow on but with the fourth batting point safely in the can, the heavyweight champion of Bulwell played an exquisite legside four off Barker, as Notts immediately declared on 356 for eight. Hales in fine form of late was left undefeated on 155 off 247 balls with 19 fours and one six off Blackwell. A timely nod to the selectors with Lord Brokett’s retirement this week. Mr Extras got on the honours board with a solid 49 with no balls contributing 30. Lumb’s 12 being the next highest score on a featherbed pitch.

Wright with 4 for 107 was the pick of the Bears arrack that puzzlingly underbowled Mr Spireite. Rankin bowled much better today.

 Warwick who were probably miffed about not picking up the third bowling point now had a two hour net. Chopra was leg before to the excellent Fletcher bowling from the City End.

White struck in his first over getting Porterfield leg before. There was a brief hold up as Troughton received treatment after suffering a blow from Andy Carter. The last ball of the match saw Voges take an excellent slip catch off White as Troughton departed for 35. Warwick immediately declared at 1650 on 88 for three with Westwood 17 not out.

Warwick are now firm favourites to win their first championship since 2004l as Notts received the good news that Hales and Lumb would be available for the first two days of the match against the Ovaltinies next week.