v Durham RLODC Semi Final at the Emirates ICG, Riverside, Chester le Street

Following their defeat at the Riverside three days previously Notts entered this semi on the back foot. Thanks though to Team England they also had their arms and legs tied together as Hales and Gurney were not allowed to participate whereas Ben Stokes dropped from the Twenty/20 set up was free to roam and devour Notts.

After overnight rain and with dark dank skies Taylor appeared to have won an important toss as Notts were unchanged from the Derby quarter-final.  Unfortunately Fletch after his lionhearted efforts this season appeared to running on a flat battery and with Jake Ball also struggling for rhythm Durham got off to a flyer. Shahzad replaced Fletch from the Lumley end and perhaps symbolically given Notts performance in the field fell awkwardly at the bowling crease. Luckily although twisting his ankle, no damage appeared to have done. The wicket though was not offering that much encouragement.

Stoneman and Mustard added 61 runs in 10 overs. Fletcher having switched ends had captain Mark Stoneman bowled off his pads for 36. Calum McLeod (6) did not last long falling to a splendid diving catch at slip by Wessels off the ever enthusiastic Shahzad, 75 for two. When Jennings (8) played an indiscriminate pull shot off Franklin which skied to Mullaney, Durham were 92 for three in the 16^th over. Mullaney bowled an excellent spell from the Lumley End, and he had Stokes dropped on 12 by Read standing up, the stumper having two attempts at grasping the ball. Stokes then went to overdrive as Mustard took a back seat role. Various bowling changes were instigated by Titch with Patel and Wood both having a go. Sadly it was just Notts day as Mustard and Stokes added 135 runs in less than 24 overs as the home side added 57 in the five overs batting power play. Finally though Notts took a wicket as a Yorker from Shahzad was kept out by Stokes but Mustard had charged down the pitch and was run out on his return by a sharp throw from Shahzad. Mustard gone for 111-ball 89 with ten fours and one six. The platform had though been set for an assault and Durham added 126 runs off the final 10.4 overs to take the game away from Notts. Stokes added 69 with Collingwood (24) in just five overs, before the later was caught by Taylor at point off Fletch. John Hastings blasted a quick fire 13 before being caught at long on off Shahzad, 337 for six. Finally off the final ball of over 49, Stokes match winnings innings of 164 came to end as holed out to Lumb off Shahzad. His innings a List A best for Durham contained 18 fours and six sixes and he left to a standing ovation from the 3,000 strong home crowd. His second limited overs ton against Notts this season. There was still time for Breese to depart bowled by Fletcher for a golden duck as Durham closed on 353 for eight, a seemingly unassailable total. The combined figures for Fletcher, Ball and Shahzad read 29-0-240-6; not a good day at the office. Mullaney bowled better than his figures of 10-0-47-0 suggested; once again Patel could not complete his bowling allocation with six overs for 34.

Notts opened with Lumb and Mullaney. In the 4^th over Lumb (5) edged Hastings into Mustard’s gloves. Five balls later Rushworth got one to nip back to Mullaney who was bowled for eight; 21 for two. Sam Wood was surprisingly promoted to three and added 51 with his captain. Breese came on from the Lumley End and had Wood leg before sweeping for 22. Taylor in very determined mood was joined by Patel. Samit had a huge let off when on 15 when he appeared to have been bowled by Collingwood. However the veteran had removed a bail in his delivery stride and under the new regulations following the Finn shenigans was called a no ball. Patel made the most of his let off as Notts up to 30 overs of the innings were virtually neck and neck with Durham’s earlier efforts. Patel reached his 50 as he hoisted Breese towards the ropes at deep mid wicket where McLeod took the catch but sportingly admitted he had touched the ropes. Next ball, the Jamaican playing his last game at Chester-le-Street had Patel caught behind for a 55-ball 52. Patel and Taylor had added 97 runs in 16 overs, but Patel’s departure was the end of Notts challenge as they unsurprisingly could not keep pace with a target of over 10 an over. Wessels was caught at long on for nine as Breese picked up third wicket. Franklin (4) fell to a catch at extra cover off Rushworth in the batting power play. The amiable Kiwi now departs to join Barbados Tridents in the Champions League having been steady but unspectacular. In retrospect Notts were probably better placed signing either a specialist batsman or bowler instead of a Jack of all trades player. Read (12) and Shahzad (1) were both run out being sent back, Notts now 218 for eight in the 40^th. Fletcher joined his skipper who reached his ton at exactly a run a ball. His third in the competition this season. The Metronome smashed three fours in his 19 as 39 runs were added for the ninth wicket. Fletcher fell to a catch off Rushworth. Finally Taylor’s splendid effort ended as he was caught at short third man off that man Stokes. Taylor’s 114 came off 112 balls with 10 fours and two sixes. He ended the tournament with 444 runs to his name. Notts 270 all out with 23 balls unused as Durham triumphed by a massive 83 runs. Ben Stokes’ innings had won the game for a home side whose ground fielding was slicker and whose bowlers had presented much less four balls to the opposition. Whether the presence of Hales/Gurney would have a made a difference we shall never know but it’s extremely unfair that were unavailable for selection. But the bottom line was Notts having had a fine 50 over season had once again for whatever reason failed to perform on the big stage.

Further bad news followed when it was announced that Andre Adams has played his last game for Notts having not recovered from his knee injury. With Ballance and Root expected to play at The Bridge on Tuesday and Notts now without Adams, Jaques, Siddle, the Tykes must be licking their lips in anticipation. I would like to see young Luke Wood given a chance, a skiddy bowler who can naturally bowl in-swinging Yorkers. MAG