v Yorkshire LV= at Scarborough

After a fascinating first couple of days this match died as any life in the pitch was erased by the use of the heavy roller. Notts therefore left North Marine Road with a paltry six points to their credit. The DofC was clearly unhappy with the slow progress made by Notts on Day 2 of this fixture. The huge partnership between Gale and Ballance was finally broken on 297 as the Zimbabwean bottom edged The General to depart for a career best 141 made off 265 balls. Rashid who has scored heavily this season departed for a duck hitting Fletcher to Cowan at cover, 431 for six. Shortly after Yorkshire took the lead as match was becoming more soporific by the minute. Gale having past 200 went aerial and hit three sixes off Patel as Yorkshire looked for quick runs before a declaration.  Gale eventually mistimed a pull shot off Patel and Read took an easy running catch. Gale after big tons against Notts in 2010 and 2011 had scored a career and Yorkshire Scarborough best of 272 off 404 balls with 25 fours and four six, a magnificent effort; he left the field to a standing ovation. The declaration came as Hodd cut Patel to point to depart for 40, Yorkshire 572 for eight declared. Much to my surprise this was the highest innings total for Yorkshire against Notts beating the 562 at Park Avenue Bradford in 1899. Percy Holmes record score of 285 at Trent Bridge in 1929 remains intact. Luke Fletcher who struggled somewhat at Hove was the pick of the bowlers with 34-9-85-3. Rumours suggest that Adams may return on Wednesday, let’s hope if that is the case, his fitness has been properly tested and his fitness holds. The current bowling attack minus the Kiwi remains wholehearted but the bottom line is that it clearly lacks penetration as proven in the last two games. There was still time for Hales personal nightmare to continue as he was plumb leg before to Patterson for five. His seasonal championship aggregate stands at 142 runs at 11.83, he later cut a disconsolate figure resting against the boundary boards talking to Wayne Noon. It should be a case of Destination Denby and a run out for the Stiffs on Monday to rediscover his form.  The remaining 20 or so overs proved useful batting practice for Cowan (53 not out) and Lumb (47 not out) as stumps were drawn at 1700 with Notts 105 for one. Derbyshire are next up on Wednesday and with relegation concerns clearly increasing match-by-match a classic must win fixture. MAG

Young blood With Yorkshire looking at the possibility of fielding 15 year old bowler Matthew Fisher in a YB40 game later this weekend, what do we think of the progression of youngsters from Paul Franks' Bright Young Things in the Seconds to the First XI? Ok, the Tykes are only playing the Foxes but the lad is being picked "on merit". Barney Gibson, Yorkshire wicketkeeper debuted against Durham students age 15 too in 2011, but hasn't appeared for the seniors since. I wonder if there will be any machinations today, to provoke a game out of the Scarborough Run-fest! Gale and Ballance help themselves to tons. Only one wicket on the morning session of day 3 was followed by  a wicket-less session at Scarborough. Post-tea, was also wicket-less Yorkshire closing on 358/4 Gale 159* Ballance 103* Yawn! White Rose wilts in the seaside sun A superb hundred by Michael Lumb backed up by fine support innings by Ed Cowan, James Taylor, Steve Mullaney and Paul Franks has left Notts in a strong position at the end of day 2 of the latest game LV Championship game at Scarborough. Play was delayed until 1310 on day 1 due to sea fret; Yorkshire had no hesitation to insert Notts on a cool overcast day. Notts were unchanged from Hove. Hales misery continued when he chased a wide out from our old friend Sidebottom and departed to a catch by keeper Hodd for a five ball duck. Cowan and Lumb batted cautiously and sensibly as Patterson and Sidebottom bowled accurately. Cowan was his normal obdurate self and Lumb more expansive. Cowan departed in 47thover for a 150-ball 47 falling to a slip catch by the impressive Patterson. The value of this innings was immeasurable as the Aussie had seen off the new ball, much like Bickers had done so many times in the early noughties. Unfortunately, the Yorkshire crowd were less appreciative of the slow scoring. Subsequent events have proven that Notts tactics were fully justified. Lumb reached a quite brilliant ton in 183 minutes shortly before the early close as Notts stood on 177 for two after 71 overs. The ball was very hard to time on the slowish pitch and with the outfield slow due to the recent rain; brisk run scoring was proving problematical. Thursday was day of bright sunshine and clear blue sky a complete contrast to Day 1. Yorkshire continued to bowl accurately and straight, Notts meanwhile carried on batting in very determined fashion with the scoring rate only marginally above two an over. The new ball was taken after 85 overs. Patterson bowling from the Pavilion End, looked dangerous and Lumb suddenly was all at sea, he played and missed a couple of times but this chance-less effort finally ended when he edged Patterson to slip where Adam Lyth took the catch. Lumb left the field to good applause with 135 to his name off 264 balls with 14 fours. The former Yorkshire man has proved a very astute signing by Mick Newell. Notts 210 for three off 87 overs.  Patel  lasted 14 overs before also departing to Lyth slip catch off Ashraf for 17. Next over, Taylor’s patient vigil ended when his leg before to the perspiring Patterson foe a 148-ball 38, Notts now 242 for five in the 102nd over as lunch was taken. Notts only got two batting points to Yorkshire solitary bowling point. The off colour Read fell in an identikit fashion to Hales edging a wide ball from Sidebottom in Hodd’s gloves for 18, 275 for six, Notts put their foot on the accelerator as the Tyke  bowlers visibly tired. Mullaney hit Pyrah for a triumvirate of fours to the third man boundary. The natives in a crowd of well over 2,000 were getting decidedly restless. They were not impressed with the Pyrahtechnics. Mullaney hit Rashid’s leg spinners for two sixes and with The General offering good support, 87 runs were added in 16 overs as Notts were now getting on top. Franks was badly dropped by Lyth at slip off Rashid when on 22. Mullaney finally departed to bat/pad catch by Alex Lees off Rashid for a 97-ball 79, just the impetus Notts needed. Franks carried on the good work with the patient Shahzad as another 47 runs were added for the eight wicket. The General hit his second 70 of the week, before chipping Rashid to mid on for 70 off 108 balls with six fours and one maximum. He is clearly very determined to keep his place in the starting eleven. Fletch put bat to ball with a run a ball 25 not out as Notts closed on 443 as Yorkshire was left to rue their decision to put Notts in as they had batted for a truly monumental 152.5 overs. Patterson was the pick of the home attack with 37-12-74-3 and was well supported by Sidebottom and Rashid The accuracy of the home attack can be seen by Extras count of just six. It had been very old style cricket at this famous old venue, both the batting and bowling efforts deserve much credit. Much of the home crowd departed and missed the final 12 overs of fun. Gurney picked up Lyth to a sharp slip catch at second slip by Patel for seven. Young Halifax opener Lees was next to depart plumb leg before to Fletcher bowling accurately for the Trafalgar Road end. Night  watchman Patterson fell to caught behind off Fletcher as Yorkshire closed on 29 for three, a mere 414 runs behind the Green and Gold. Much like the game in Hove, the new ball does create problems but on a pitch which has lost much of its day one life, a draw is still very much the likely the outcome. But Notts do have very high scoreboard pressure, an interesting day 3 awaits.

Alex Fails

Alex Hales out for nought again - today lasting 5 balls.

c Hodd b Ryan Sidebottom

very disappointing as the lad has so much potential that will surely take him to the Test arena in the next year or two or three.

but Lumb assails Yorkshire after cautious start.

After a delayed start Notts are now, post tea 105/2 50 overs

The players have been off and on and off again with bad light, after 71 overs Notts 177/2 Michael Lumb 116* at stumps

Going North

Notts have announced the squad that will travel to Scarborough:

Alex Hales,
 Ed Cowan,
 Michael Lumb,
 James Taylor,
 Samit Patel,
 Steven Mullaney,
 Chris Read (capt & wk),
 Paul Franks,
 Ajmal Shahzad,
 Luke Fletcher,
 Harry Gurney,
 Graeme White
 and Andy Carter
for the game that starts tomorrow.








Yesterday Graham Napier took 7/32 against Surrey in the YB40, a haul that included 4 wickets in 4 deliveries.