Paul Franks extended the Sussex target to 381 but Sussex held out only losing 6 wickets by the close of the day.
Match drawnHat trick Harry hurries match to exciting conclusion
In a match of many highlights, Harry Gurney took centre billing by taking a sensational hat trick which sparked a completely unexpected collapse as Sussex subsided from 306 for seven to 306 all out in three balls! It was Notts first hat trick since Charlie Shreck took three in three against Middlesex at Lord’s seven summers ago. A match which ended up a victory for Notts, let’s hope history repeats itself.
Strokemaker Ben Brown edged to Patel at second slip for a 40-ball 35, then left-hander James Anyon edged to Mullaney at third slip then Panesar became the hat trick victim as Patel took the catch at second slip. Gurney’s hat trick was unusual as it had contained three slip catches.
Notts then looked in complete ascendancy at 205 for three just after tea, but three madcap shots have ensured that a game that should have been out of Sussex reach is now much more evenly matched. Armed with new ball the wicket carries threat particularly down slope from the Cromwell End, the end where Gurney took his hat trick. However after the new ball has lost is shine, batting becomes much easier. Hence the inexcusable three dismissals of Taylor for an excellent 97, Patel (18) and Mullaney (5) all dismissed to legside bouncing balls from Chris Jordan, who bowled excellently for 6 for 97 in the first innings. His second innings efforts were much less impressive but he stands one wicket short of a 10 wicket haul thanks to mid innings misdemeanours from Notts batsman. Read was leg before to the disappointing Panesar to a ball that kept low from the Sea End. The England tweaker was out bowled by both his colleague Nash and Samit Patel for the second year running in this fixture. He was bowling at virtual medium pace with his normal mechanical efficiency but lack of thought. With Read’s dismissal Notts were just 289 ahead on a wicket where Notts would have been looking for a lead of approaching 400. Shahzad as he had done well in recent times hung in there and with the ever professional Franks going for his shots 49 were added for the eighth wicket in 11 overs before Shahzad fell clean bowled to Magoffin bowling down slope from the Cromwell Road with the new cherry in his hand. Worse followed when Fletcher fell in to a slip catch first ball. Gurney hit his first ball for four as another 16 invaluable runs were added at the close. Franks had followed his first innings 36 (where he has badly dropped on three) with an equally invaluable run a 56 with 10 fours. He faces first ball today with Notts probably looking for another 20 runs to set the Martlets about 375 off 90 overs, anybody’s game!! Magoffin’s was the most menacing of the Sussex bowling on Sunday with four for 60 and was supported by 3 for 58 from Chris Jordan. Cowan meanwhile’s doggedness had finally been rewarded with a gritty 81 off 175 balls with ten fours and a six over long leg to reach his half ton. The innings was undoubtedly his best for Notts.
Shahzad bowled extremely well in the first innings the highlight being the removal of Yardy clean bowled for 46. He was the not first bowler to gain lift and bounce running down slope. He deserved more than three for 57. Gurney’s hat trick was added to by the earlier dismissal of Ed Joyce caught mistiming by Titch Taylor. Franks and Fletcher toiled manfully, but the Bulwell Metronome was not at his best running in from the Cromwell Road end, he bowled better when switching to the Sea End.
The first day’s highlight was undoubtedly Patel’s 157 off 199 balls. The innings of the season made off 199 balls included 17 fours and one six. Notts had lost an important toss and soon plunged into trouble at 53 for four, 72 for five and 122 for six as the brisk Jordan ran amok with final figures 30-5-97-6. Patel’s innings though was chanceless and Notts added a scarcely believable 244 for their last four wickets as Shahzad finished with 147 ball 56.
Notts will need early wickets with the new ball this morning as Sussex bat deep. The key men are undoubtedly Nash and Joyce who always seem to get runs against the Green and Gold. A massive day which will be pivotal to Notts’ season and which way it will head; either up or down. Andre Adams was in attendance at Hove practising on the outfield during the intervals. The match at North Marine Road is probably too early for much anticipated comeback, the Derby game starting on June 12th is probably a more realistic comeback date.
Let’s hope Notts follow last year’s merited win down by the Seaside today. Over to you Messrs Shahzad and Gurney. MAG
More golden ducks than Slimbridge
Day 3 had more golden ducks than the Slimbridge Wildfowl Reserve; first Anyon and Panesar fell in consecutive balls to complete Harry Gurney's hat trick then at the top of the Notts order, Alex Hales fell to his first ball and then nearing the close of the day as Notts endeavoured to throw a strong position away, Luke Fletcher followed Shahzad (3) back to the pavilion, first ball too.For much of the day Notts had control of the game, in an action packed first hour and a quarter at the BrightonandHovejobs.com County Ground, Hove there were 6 wickets including a hat trick to Harry Gurney who, after the run out of Chris Jordan, polished off the Sussex innings for 306, all three wickets going to slip catches (Samit x 2 and Mull05), giving Notts a handy 50 run lead.
Notts suffered the early losses of Hales and Lumb but then put on their most prolific partnership of 2013, 175 before both Cowan and Taylor fell short of their hundreds, 81 and 97 respectively. No one else except Paul the General Franks stayed at the crease as Chris Jordan took his 9th wicket of the match and Steve Magoffin helped himself to another 4 wickets. At the close Notts are 304/9; leading by 354, Franksie 56 not out.
On a day (fourth day) where a frontline spinner would be licking his lips in anticipation, Notts only have Samit Patel at Readie's disposal. Panesar and Nash have bowled 41 overs today. The decision to play Steven Mullaney instead of either Riki Wessels or Graeme White looks a bit unfortunate at the moment as he hasn't bowled so far and has only contributed ten runs total over his two knocks but did take a slip catch.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow and note all but 4 of the 29 wickets to fall so far, have gone to the medium/quicks.
An eyewitness report for the weekend's play is expected tomorrow c/o MAG which should prove interesting reading.
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Shahzad 50 and 750 for Read
In the morning session Ajmal Shahzad extended the Notts score to 356, bagging his first 50 for the Green and Golds in the process, making 56. Sussex batted the hour to lunch unscathed 57/0. Post lunch, Chris Nash played-on to Shahzad for 22 but substantial contributions from Luke Wells (59), Mike Yardy (46) and Ed Joyce (59) ensued no Notts-style slump occurred. In the day's last session Notts took 4 wickets, 176/2 to 249/6 but at stumps Chris Jordan and Ben Brown remained resilient. The 5th Sussex wicket of Luke Wright, a catch behind was Chris Read's 750th dismissal for Nottinghamshire.
Sussex will resume on Sunday 290/6
At New Road, Pears beat a depleted Bears by 9 runs in the YB40 Group A
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Looking at the highlights; it would seem if you put the ball in the right area, it did just enough to cause concern and Sussex dropped a couple of chances so once Notts have the ball in hand, it's down to Fletcher and Co. to do the business at the Probiz.
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Samit ton saves Notts
A scheduled delayed start did nothing to temper early movement for the bowlers as Chris Jordan took the honours of the mornings play with 3/16 with Notts struggling on 62/4 after Notts had been put into bat.
Batsman came and went in the afternoon session as Notts limped to 75/5 and 112/6 but some stubborn resistance arrived in the shape The General (36) and with a fine 157 from Samit Patel as part of an 8th wicket partnership of 114 with Ajmal Shahzad they nearly took Notts to the late close but Jordan claimed his 5th victim (Patel) in over #95. Notts ended the day 321/8, Shahzad 35*.
A terrific fight back by the lower middle-order with Samit today, hopefully the feel good factor will spread to the bowlers tomorrow.
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