Outlaws win vital toss
A crucial toss win by Chris Read was pivotal in deciding another rain hit Comedy game at Edgbaston last night. He had no hesitation to bowl as showers were forecast for the early evening.
Compared to the last game at New Road 11 days previously, James Taylor replaced Ed Cowan and Andy Carter who was injured in the warm up was replaced by Ajmal Shahzad who made his List A debut for Notts.
A freezing night and the Sky cameras ensured another miniscule crowd. The interference of satellite TV has all but destroyed this competition; impressible youth will not be attracted by the sight of rows of empty seats and crowds wearing endless layers of clothing. It is my opinion now counter-productive to cricket’s image for Sky to get involved in the limited overs coverage they are causing more harm than good to the domestic game, bring back a proper limited overs league where matches are all played on the same day; and let Sky gorge themselves on an endless diet of Twenty/20. Hopefully the arrival of the 50 over competition next season will improve matters, but I fear not.....money talks!
Gurney and Ball opened up and the first shower arrived after 15 balls, with the Bears 7 for 0. The players returned 30 minutes later with the game now a 37 over affair. Maddy now at the veteran stage could not get going and mistimed a drive and found Lumb at mid off and departed for a 16-ball five, Jake Ball’s accurate line had been rewarded. A hailstorm halted Warwickshire who were now on 41 for one off 10.4 overs. After another lengthy stoppage the players returned at 1855 with the game now a 30-over affair. Jim Troughton (16) charged Mullaney and was comfortably stumped by the skipper; 47 for two. Warwickshire had the disadvantage of slow outfield as scoring was proving difficult. They suddenly found some impetus as an over from Patel cost 15. Chopra was leg before for 42 trying to sweep Mullaney, 99 for three. White coming on from the City End and got one to turn and hit Woakes’ off stump, 108 for four. Ambrose (21) hit three fours before holing out to the deep where Wessels took the catch off Shahzad. Piolet took a while to get going but as The Bears took the power play Gurney proved expensive and after 40 had been added in four overs, Piolet found Lumb on the ropes as Gurney picked up a wicket. Ball whose first fours over cost only eight, returned and after a taking a bit of tap bowled Clarke middle stump for a well made 59 off 48 balls with six fours and one six. The Bears closed on 186 for 7, with Ball and Mullaney having identical figures of 6-0-30-2.
Vera Duckworth added seven to the total as Notts chased 194 runs as a number of the crowd went indoors to view the game and thaw out. Lumb destroyed Woakes and Wright as 32 were added in three overs as the outfield was now much faster than earlier in the evening. Patel replaced Wright whose two overs went for 22. Hales played a poor shot to be caught at midwicket for eight, 52 for one in the sixth. Taylor came in and provided good support to Lumb who raced to 50 off just 28 balls. Piolet replaced the Kiwi off spinner and yorked man of the match Lumb with his first ball the left hander departing for 57 off 41 balls with nine fours and one six hit off Wright; 91 for two. The rain made an unexpected and unwelcome reappearance but just before the umpires took the players off once again a poor ramp shot from Patel (14) saw him find Jeetan Patel at mid wicket off the lanky Rankin. One ball later the game was stopped with Notts 112 for three off 17.4 overs, ahead of the D/L par score. Half the crowd took the lead off Mr and Mrs Clifton Grove and departed but the rain stopped once again as Notts needed a further 21 off 20 balls. These were easily garnered in 11 balls as Taylor (39* - another impressive effort) and Wessels (12*) saw Notts home with nine balls unused. Notts are now four out of four as the Orangeman are next up on Sunday, let’s hope for better weather. The poor Warwick members have another 53 days to wait to see their home ream in action at Edgbaston ironically against Notts as the Champions League Takes over. Surrey and Glamorgan have equally lob-sided fixture lists.
The Warwick ground staff should be praised for their sterling efforts in getting the covers on and off very efficiently on a horrid night; the electronic scoreboard was less impressive and the enclosed photo shows a degree of confusion on behalf of the operator! MAG
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