Game on Day 3 Warwickshire

In a highly entertaining day 3, Notts defied all expectations by batting all day to close on 444 for eight, a lead of 395; an overnight declaration seems likely with Warwickshire needing four an over on an excellent batting surface.

Edwards and Kelsall started confidently as the opening pair of Woakes and Wright were seen off easily. Barker was still off the pitch having limped off shortly after lunch yesterday. Edwards was batting as fluently as at any time this season and with Kelsall also looking good the portents looked good for Notts to make a game of it. Patel was brought on from the Pavilion End and off his third ball Kelsall edged an arm ball to slip after having scored a useful 35; 88 for one; a huge opening partnership based on recent Notts history. Patel started with four maidens as Edwards innings was grounding to halt. Wessels added impetus and looked in fine form including one huge six over mid-wicket. 

Clarke was introduced and had Wessels adjudged leg before for a 32-ball 38 an innings which included five fours and a six. Not for the first time this season Wessels looked a fine player but unfortunately failed to push on. Taylor got off the mark with an edged four. The first ball of the next over, Edwards long vigil ended when he was leg before to Patel for a championship high for 2012 of 53, will it earn him a new contract for next season? Newell watched his whole innings up in his Eyrie in the Pavilion, we await his verdict in due course. Notts were now 141 for three.

 Twenty seven runs later and ten minutes before lunch Taylor (14) played a quite dreadful hoick to mid-wicket where Troughton caught the ball on the run as Patel picked up third wicket. Taylor’s championship form has so far not justified his huge salary although his pyjama form has been very satisfactory; expect him to do a lot better in 2013. Notts went to lunch at 168 for four.

Mullaney played the innings of his life in the afternoon session and Read for once very much took the backseat. The fifth wicket partnership added 119 runs in 22 overs until Read appeared to get a dreadful decision. Woakes “running” him out when he appeared well in, Jeff Evans being the offending umpire. Read’s 35 saw him to 1,000 first class runs in another superb season for surely county cricket’s most reliable man for a crisis. Franks came in and initially played watchfully and Mullaney perhaps frustrated with slowing scoring rate, tried to get his richly deserved century in the grandest fashion; however he did not time the ball and he was caught at long on by Troughton off Patel for 119-ball 94. He hit four sixes mostly dead straight and 11 fours in an excellent knock and left to a deserved standing ovation. It’s a shame that he did not get more opportunities in the championship this season as he has clearly worked at his weakness against the short ball that he had last season. Hopefully all his hard work will be rewarded next season. Poor White’s dreadful form with the bat continued as fell leg before to the Spireite Barrel, 297 for seven and Warwick were now very much favourites.

Franks though batted in very determined fashion and with fine support from Phillips, Notts gradually got their noses in front. Despite a 25-minute stoppage for light drizzle and the taking of the new ball the partnership eventually raised 91 priceless runs until Phillips innings of 38 ended when he feathered a catch to keeper Johnson standing up off Maddy’s dibbly dobblers. Johnson had in indifferent day behind the stumps conceding 14 byes as Tiny Tim was clearly missed. But the fun had not ended; the Bulwell Metronome showed his batting skills by scoring 27 and adding an unbroken 56 with Franks who was 76 not out at close an innings which included nine fours and one six. Patel has four wickets so far at a cost of 127 runs.

The pitch like virtually all at Trent Bridge is getting easier and easier to bat on and the 396 target is far from impossible particularly with the short Bridgford Road boundaries. How will The Bears go for the chase? They will have one eye certainly on the Saturday’s one-day final. Tomorrow promises to be a fascinating day as the curtain draws on the season. MAG

Notts second innings 444/8

Steven Mullaney 94
Paul Franks 76 not out
Neil Edwards 53

Jeetan Patel 4/127*

Jack Brooks

The BBC say that Jack Brooks' intention to leave Wantage Road is to be announced on Friday. The England Lion bowler is sure to attract the attention of a number of larger counties............ you would those include Notts; no word about James Harris at this juncture.