v Somerset LV= at Taunton

Early promise washed away

The fourth day saw proceedings start so promising for Notts: the last wicket  was taken, the follow-on was enforced, Notts bowled superbly well, but again a slip catch went begging - Patel dropping Trescothick.

After lunch Trescothick did get himself out and Shahzad accounted for Chris Jones however after Nick Compton had reached his fifty, the heavens opened and the outfield was flooded. With no advanced drainage at Taunton, the game was snuffed out as a draw.

Rain blunts Notts' edge

With heavy rain forecast for the whole of the fourth day, Notts will have to settle for ten points from their latest championship fixture in the soggy West Country.

Having been at one stage 165 for five in their first innings Notts will be a happy with the points haul against their fellow relegation strugglers.

Arriving at the ground on Saturday morning it was apparent that the wicket was easy paced. Notts lost Shahzad to the fourth ball of the day with the batsman shouldering arms to be bowled by Trego for 35. Fletcher and Gurney made relatively untroubled progress when they added 51 in nine overs. The Bulwell man reached his 50 with a tremendous six but the fun ended when he edged a short ball from Overton to Kieswetter for 58, Notts 378 all out with Gurney 22 not out. Trego, Overton and Dockrell shared three wickets a piece.

Trescothick (2) struggles continued as he edged Gurney low to Mullaney at third slip, nine for one. Straight after lunch the ground narrowly missed a thunderstorm, but the rain came as Somerset had made untroubled progress to 70 for one off 27 overs. Umpires Gale and the ever dynamic Grim Tim decided at 1600 hours that no play was possible with two and half hours left to the close. A strange decision this one as the sun shone continually for the rest of the day, valuable play had been lost.

Play got under way on time on Sunday in gloomy conditions as rain could clearly be seen in the nearby Quantock Hills. Notts picked up a couple of quick wickets, Chris Jones was bowled by Andre Adams bowling from the Old Pavilion End to a ball that nipped back.  Luke Fletcher was proving a good foil to the Kiwi and picked up his first wicket as Compton (34) hit him straight to cover where Mullaney took the catch. The umpires were far too keen to take the bowlers off as a very light shower drove the players off for 15 minutes. Adams struck once more as play resumed when Hildreth (2) top edged him straight to long leg where Fletcher took an easy catch in front of the members, 75 for four.   After six further runs were added the rain returned once more.

After a long stoppage play resumed somewhat belatedly at 1435 the umpires once again showing a lack of urgency in getting things going.  Fletcher got two wickets in two balls with Kieswetter (1) and Trego (0) both edging the Bulwell Metronome into Read’s gloves; Somerset 81 for six. Eleven runs had been added in first 11 overs of the day for the loss of five wickets, as Notts had capitalized on the favourable overhead conditions which remained slate grey throughout the day.

Meschede and Buttler added 41 runs in 12 overs. Patel replaced Fletcher and Buttler (23) holed out to mid on with Shahzad taking an easy catch. Adams meanwhile had left the action to be replaced by substitute Wessels.

A couple more showers disrupted the proceedings once more but with the light fading Notts did manage to pick up their third bowling point as first Meschede who attacked Patel to some effect earlier fell playing on to Gurney for 59.Dockrell (23) who never looked entirely comfortable fell to a bat pad catch by Taylor off Patel. Bad light returned with three overs to bowl as Somerset closed on 188 for nine.

Fletcher in particular had bowled well with figures of 17-9-24-3. Assuming there is no more play, Notts lead eighth place Surrey by 37 points, but the Southerners now have a crucial game in hand. Derbyshire unexpected victory over Sussex means that it is now a four horse race for relegation. Surrey and Somerset both have to play the Peakites at home and Surrey also still to visit Taunton. Notts meanwhile have the far harder run in before playing the Ciderman at Trent Bridge in game 16. They will also be presumably hit hard by England call ups for Taylor, Lumb and Hales. A nervous last six weeks remain. Somerset looked a dispirited bunch with bat and ball, as Coach Dave Nosworthy has had a difficult first season. Notts can take heart though from a fighting performance over the last three days. MAG

Cameo Kids grab the points after Notts get caught out in Taunton

Chris Read won the toss on the first morning at Taunton and Notts opened the batting with Alex Hales and Steven Mullaney. The rest of the XI are Michael Lumb, Titch Taylor, Samit Patel, David Hussey, Chris Read, Aj Shahzad, Luke Fletcher, Andre Adams and Harry Gurney.


Notts reached lunch at 93/2 after firstly galloping at four runs per over but with the loss of Hales (20) and Lumb (16) the rate was severely restricted. Mullaney 48 not out Taylor 6 not out.


Post lunch both Taylor (19) and Mullaney were out caught behind by Kieswetter off Jamie Overton. Samit Patel (7) went to a second Trescothick catch of the day, the bowler being the Irishman, George Dockrell.

After tea Notts clocked their first point but Chris Read fell soon afterwards to the sixth catch of the innings. 229/6, ct Compton b Dockrell 25 and then David Hussey became the seventh catch, c+b Dockrell 68 (240/7). Andre Adams didn't hang about and predictably became the eighth catch for a run a ball 20. (270/8) Caution was the name of the game until 300 and a third batting point was neared by Fletcher and Shahzad, then they had a bit of fun taking the score to 327/8 at stumps; the Cameo kids ending the day on 35* (Ajmal Shahzad) and 30* (Luke Fletcher).

Dave Bracegirdle gives Steven Mullaney as "man of the day" for Notts whilst Cricinfo's David Lloyd prefers David Hussey and the impetus he gave to the innings that had been stagnating. I still think the two dashing cameos are just as important.

Watching the highlights - Somerset did pull off some cracking catches

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James Taylor returns to the Nottinghamshire ranks following KP's successful fitness test prior the OT Test. 

Director of Cricket, Mick Newell announced an extended squad for the journey to Cider Country.

Who will make it to Edgbaston?

Who will win their way to FLT20 Finals Day at Edgbaston

leave your comments below
 a reminder of the Quarter Finals:

Surrey v Somerset
Northants v Durham
Hants v Lancs
Notts v Essex

Just the ticket

The 20 minute queue to buy members tickets was through the Squash club this morning (Wednesday), which was better than standing in the rain outside.

So the only way to Finals Day is through Essex, so be it! D-Day Thursday 08/08 19:10