James Taylor stands tall
with double century
A valiant rearguard on a lifeless pitch by James Taylor and Ajmal Shahzad ensured that Notts drew their game against Sussex. The Green and Gold have now drawn their last four games. They took eight points from the game.
In contrast to the first three days, the weather was fine, dry, sunny and warm and the overnight pair managed to bat together until 1511 when Ajmal Shahzad was dumbstruck to hit Jordan straight to Machan at backward point 23 short of maiden first class-ton. Shahzad as he has done at various times this season has shown dogged defence, like a true Yorkshireman he values his wicket dearly and he must have walked miles today on a Chris Tavare like walk to square leg between deliveries. Matt Machan had earlier drop two catches so it was case of third time lucky. The seventh wicket pair had added exactly 200 runs, one short of the club record against Sussex (Howitt and Bagguley) made way back in 1895 at Trent Bridge. By this time the Sussex bowlers were dead on their feet having tried desperately to get a wicket on a pitch that was no good to either side. The pitches at Trent Bridge are fast becoming a joke, Notts have just one victory in the last 12 games at Trent Bridge as the bowlers constantly have to toil on lifeless featherbeds, whatever happened to home advantage! Ron’s Green tops are now a long and distant memory.
Shahzad’s 77 came off 206 balls and included eight fours and one six into The Fridge. Fletch kept Taylor company for a further 11 overs as 27 runs were added. Fletcher (14) edging Nash to Jordan at slip. Adams quickly blasted his way to 15 but then suddenly remembered not to play his natural game so he could guide Taylor to his first double ton for Notts. By the time the players shook their hands at 1650 Taylor was unbeaten 204 off 358 balls with 21 fours; to think he was dropped on eight; an expensive miss. The memory of Taylor in this innings would be his Zen like concentration with him scampering singles to mid on. The vast majority of his runs were on the legside. A brilliant effort in concentration that only a few players in the English game are capable of. Hats off to him.
Notts 478 for 8 declared. The match aggregate of 984 runs for 13 wickets; is accurate reflection of lifeless pitch which provided precious little entertainment. It’s time that Mick Newell had a quiet word in Steve Birks ear.
Notts still lie fifth 20 points ahead of the eighth place Bears. Luckily five of the remaining eight games are away from the turgid home pitches. I expect turners at both Taunton and The Oval, which will greatly handicap Notts. The best chances of victories lie at Edgbaston and The Riverside where more sporty wickets await. Lord’s in September could prove tricky against the best side I have seen this year. Two more victories are probably required to stay up, the limit I think of our 4-day expectations. The fitness of Andre Adams remains paramount for Notts to get guide them over the line. One thing in our favour though is the team spirit and togetherness of the team which in my view is second to none.
Alex Hales gets vital T20 practice, playing for England v NZ, ideal preparation for Friday.
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Another disappointing day for Notts; as they trail Sussex by 283 runs with four first innings wicket remaining.
On a dry windy day, Sussex added 143 runs in just 22.4 overs this morning. Fletcher picked up the sole wicket strangling Hamilton-Brown down the legside, the former Surrey man had scored 113 from 182 balls with 15 fours and one six. The fifth wicket partnership had added 232 runs in 51 overs as Notts lack of quality spinner on the flat track was exposed. The fielding was also ragged this morning with Hussey and Wessels both dropping catches. Joyce and Machan added salt to the wounds by adding 69 in seven overs as Patel’s final over of the innings cost 26 runs as the occupants of The Fridge feared for their lives. Sussex declared as Joyce hit his third six of the over to finish on 204 off 239 balls with 24 fours and those three sixes. Like Andrew Gale, Joyce never ceases to gorge himself against the Notts attack. Fletcher was the pick of the bowlers with three for 105. The decision to put Sussex in had backfired spectacularly.
Notts needed a distant 357 runs to avoid the follow-on and faced huge scoreboard pressure. Makeshift openers Wessels and Mullaney survived a suicidal single when Mullaney nearly ran out his partner by yards; luckily the throw missed! The first wicket partnership had reached 63 when Jordan bowling from the Radcliffe Road end dug one in and Wessels only succeeded in pulling the ball to mid on. Wessels out for a 64-ball 49 an innings which included eight fours. Mullaney (30) can be pleased to have survived to the 27th over before losing his off stump to the brisk Jordan, 90 for two. Patel was caught in two minds as Jordan got wicket number three, as he prodded to short leg; 94 for three. It could have been worse as Taylor on 8 survived an easy chance to third slip, Wells grassing the chance. Two years ago, David Hussey in his sole championship game of 2011 was twice beaten for pace by Saj Mahmood. The portents did not look good as he Staffordshire cut Jordan for four to get off the mark. Huss survived 14 balls but Jordan was too quick for him as Hussey all at sea edged sky high for Prior to take a simple catch; 106 for four and Notts were in real trouble. Read with Taylor battened down the hatches surviving a few appeals, some of which were merited others bordering on the insane, the jack in the box man from Luton being the chief culprit. The partnership reached 91 until Read was bowled by Panesar for a well constructed 45, his best innings of the season. The General lasted 11 balls until edging the hyperactive slow left armer to Jordan at first slip as Notts were now 199 for six. Taylor and Shahzad played out the remaining six overs as Notts were 223 for six at stumps. Taylors phlegmatic 81 not out off 153 balls was invaluable knock for the home team. It was not pretty it contained only eight fours but without it Notts would be dire straits; his temperament is unflappable. Jordan was outstanding in his 11-over mid afternoon spell, but looked a bit more jaded when he returned 40 minutes before the close.
Notts should not lose 14 wickets on this flat track in 96 overs. Stranger things have happened particularly against Sussex. However with Murray Goodwin and Mushtaq Ahmed no longer wearing the Martlet; I will be very disappointed if 2013 version triumphs tomorrow. A sunny day is forecast.
Joyce century piles on the agony at blustery Trent Bridge
Sussex piled on the runs and the misery for Notts on a featherbed pitch at windy Trent Bridge.
Intermittent morning showers meant that 33 overs had been lost by the time play got under way 1415 in front of virtually empty stands. In the days fifth over, Chris Nash who was lucky to survive a slip “catch” by Mullaney yesterday finally departed for 46 caught at second slip by Patel off Fletcher bowling from the Pavilion End, 95 for two. Yardy and Joyce advanced the score a further 45 runs when Shahzad’s bowling the first ball of a new spell tempted Yardy to pull the ball to Gurney at long leg, the left hander gone for 35. Matt Prior got to 30 when he was adjudged leg before on the last ball before tea, Fletcher picking up his second wicket, 205 for four.
The last session was difficult to watch for a Notts fan as on easy paced pitch Joyce (129*) and Hamilton-Brown (77*) added 158 runs in 35 overs, as no Notts bowler could stem the flow. The new ball was taken with eight overs remaining but this proved equally ineffective at removing the batsman, who both played chanceless innings. With dark clouds hovering umpires Bainton and Hartley took the players off at 1845 with four balls remaining unbowled. Sussex 363 for 4 off 87.2 overs. Notts bowlers were hampered by a strong crosswind all day and unless conditions change greatly tomorrow, the Sussex bowlers should find wicket taking equally hard going. There was no evidence of the ball swinging all day. Sussex though do have scoreboard pressure, expect them declare once 400 runs are reached and they are probably hoping that Notts makeshift opening partnership of Mullaney and Wessels may prove easy pickings. If Notts do avoid the follow-up I expect the game to be opened up to a bit of contrivance with dry conditions expected tomorrow and Tuesday.
Notts finished the day on minus two in terms of the over rate.
One piece of trivia; it is been ascertained that Michael Lumb has become the first ever player to both score a double century for and against Nottinghamshire. The Whizz's handlebars were twitching once the news was broken to him.
Rain ruined the first day of the latest championship game versus Sussex at Trent Bridge.
With both teams donning their pyjamas the previous night, play was due to start at noon. However the rain commenced at 1155 and was heavy for around 20 minutes. However, poor and indecisive umpiring meant that the match did not commence until 1430. Notts without England Twenty/20 duo Hales and Lumb had David Hussey replacing compatriot Ed Cowan for his championship action in two seasons. Franks is due to open with Riki Wessels as Mick Newell decided to go for experience over youth. Young Sam Kelsall has had a lean time of it recently in the Seconds.
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| Comment on Facebook by Paul Franks - "Lazy sod" |
Notts won the toss and elected to field but their optimism was not justified as they only picked up a single wicket; left hander Luke Wells edging the impressive Adams for Read to take a simple catch, Wells out for 39. The first wicket pairing had added 69 in 20 overs, although Chris Nash was lucky to survive a catch at second slip off Shahzad when on 20. Mullaney appeared to take the ball cleanly but umpire Bainton in collaboration with his square leg counterpart Peter Hartley disagreed; an odd decision. The rain returned at 1615 and play never recommenced due to intermittent showers as Sussex closed on 91 for one off 25 overs with Nash on 39 and Yardy 7. Matt Prior is in the Sussex line up. More rain is forecast for tomorrow although drier weather is promised for Monday and Tuesday. Chances of a Notts victory already do not seem that great.
A severely weakened Nottinghamshire side take on Sussex in the LV= from noon today:
Steven Mullaney,
Riki Wessels,
James Taylor,
David Hussey,
Samit Patel,
Chris Read (c),
Paul Franks,
Andre Adams,
Ajmal Shahzad,
Luke Fletcher,
Harry Gurney
Thanks a bunch England who withdrew availability of Michael Lumb at the last moment.
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