v Lancashire Specsavers at Old Trafford

No Fourth Day Miracles in Manchester 

And so it proceeded, Lancashire rattling off the necessary runs in 17 overs for the loss of just two wickets.

Notts take a miserable 3 points from the game after under performing with both bat and ball.



WAGNER runs RINGs around and ANDERSON finds form against, a second best Notts eleven


After winning the a contested toss, Notts appear to have lost every other contest since in this match. 

Where our new overseas bowler hasn't taken a wicket in this match yet, Lancashire's New Zealand bowler has got the better of Notts' top order twice in the game now, taking 11 wickets on his Red Rose debut.

The day started with Lancashire's tail, guided by new boy Liam Livingstone,  extending their total to a 90 run lead.

Notts dug-in from the start of their innings but no one particularly hung around like a limpet, all being winkled out by either Neil Wagner or a Jimmy Anderson, finding rhyme and his mojo.

By the close Notts lacklustrely scoring at less than 2 runs per over,  stumbled to 175 all out, leaving Lancashire to score 86 on the last day.

Notts need a miracle. DDG




YOUNG RED ROSES BLOOM

Another disappointing day for Notts as a gritty batting performance from Lancashire saw them lead by 69 runs with two first innings wicket still standing.

Despite a poor weather forecast. No rain fell in Manchester either overnight or in the early morning. Play got under way on time in cloudy conditions with a strong westerly wind. Conditions remained icy all day. Although luckily for me, I managed to get a prime viewing seat behind the arm and glass. Play remained uninterrupted throughout the day with even some sunshine breaking through from mid afternoon.

The morning session was won by Lancashire who added 83 runs for the loss of two wickets, the first hour was war of attrition as Hameed and Proctor battened down the hatches. Broad and Bird were economical but unthreatening. Gurney (Statham) and Ball (Pavilion) replaced them. Gurney made the breakthrough as Procter (33) edged to Mullaney at slip, 57 for two in the 34 overs. Three balls later Jake Ball got one to lift as Hameed (18) edged to Read. Petersen (33*) added extra impetus and added 51 in 14 overs with Croft (10*) as Lancashire got to 108 for three at lunch.

Twenty minutes after lunch a good spell from Mullaney was rewarded when Croft (15) edged to Read. Lancashire though were showing much more application with the bat than their Notts counterparts. Bird in particular was looking ineffectual. Petersen after his brisk start slowed down somewhat,.the fifth wicket partnership with new partner Davies added 39 before Petersen was caught and bowled low down by Broad for 48, Lancashire 156 for five. Youngsters Davies and Livingstone added an unbroken 50 as Gurney having bowled his first five overs as maidens returned for a expensive afternoon spell. Davies got to an excellent half century just before tea as Lancashire reached the break on 206 for five off 83 overs. Read deciding to take the new ball immediately after tea.

Initially things looked promising after tea. In the fifth over with the new ball Alex Davies who had batted very sensibly was leg before to Jake Ball for 55. Ball once again the pick of the Notts attack. The young stumper had faced 107 balls and hit seven fours, 228 for six. Next over Wagner hit Broad straight to Brendan Taylor at cover 229 for seven. Anderson lasted 15 balls before edging his big pal Broad to Read behind the wicket., 249 for eight.

Liam Livingstone making his debut played the slow wicket perfectly and against a tiring attack started building a useful lead with Jarvis. Gurney replaced Ball from the Statham End and the disappointing Bird replaced Broad from the Pavilion but with the newish ball they failed to make any impression. Read then turned to Patel and Mullaney but to no avail as Notts failed to get the third bowling point and currently their over rate stands at minus three. When stumps were drawn at 1823 Lancashire were 311 for eight with Barrow born right hander Livingstone on 63 and Kyle Jarvis with a first class batting average of 14 on 36. Sixty two runs have been added so far for the ninth wicket. Notts had dropped no catches and created few chances throughout the day, disappointing there were 36 extras given away and a few overthrows also presented. The pitch is slow and low with Lancashire having batted for 115 overs. Unfortunately the strong cross wind negated swing bowling throughout the day. Notts will have to bat for a similar number of overs to stay in the game but with two rabbits at 10 and 11 and two top order batsman out of form this will not be a straight forward task. Lancashire will be well pleased with two younger players batting time and frustrating the bowlers. Notts will be heartened once more with Ball's bowling. Broad had a mixed day but bowled better with the second new ball. Lancashire start the third day as favourites.MAG


WAGNER ON SONG
After winning the toss and electing to bat Notts had a disappointing first day at Old Trafford after being bowled out for 242. Lancashire closed on 25 for one.

Arriving to the ground just before the start it was disappointing to see that the famous old ground still looks a mess. The lodge has been dismantled and is a pile of rubble. Some of the stands were shut and the renovation work on the Pavilion has not really worked, much of the architecture has been ruined. The famous long room is no more than the bar at the back. It has been replaced by general big dining area with a wooden floor; all very modern but sadly lacking character.

Broad replaced Brett Hutton from the victorious line up against Surrey.

Notts got off to a steady start facing Jarvis from the Statham End and Jimmy Anderson from the Pavilion End. The score got to 31 in the eighth over when Mullaney got a thin edge to Jarvis and was caught behind for 19. The struggling Lumb got to 14 before falling leg before to Jarvis who had now switched ends, 48 for two

Wagner making his Lancashire debut came on at the Statham End and Smith who had scratched around for an hour and half for 17 chased a wide ball from him and was caught at point by Livingstone, 56 for three. Brendan Taylor never looked secure when a beauty from the impressive left armer Wagner found the inside edge of his bat and the ball hit his middle peg. Taylor departing for three, 63 for four. Notts hobbled to lunch on 73 for four, It had been very much been Lancashire's morning.

Patel and Wessels survived for half an hour after lunch when Notts lost wickets in successive overs. Patel palably leg before for 11 another scalp for the Zimbabwean Jarvis. Then Wessels fell leg before to a well pitch up ball from Wagner to depart with 27 to his name 98 for six. Broad joined his captain and put bat to ball as the two added 74 in 16 overs. Lancashire turned to part time hairdresser Luke Proctor but he proved expensive. Broad had hit six fours in his 43 before being bowled going for a big shot off Kerrigan 172 for seven. The muscular Jake Ball played the most entertaining innings of the day hitting two enormous sixes over point and midwicket off Kyle Jarvis and three fours in his 33. He eventually fell caught behind to the impressive Wagner backing way to leg and getting an edge to wicket keeper Davies. Bird did not last long departing caught behind as Wagner went nap. Gurney surprised everyone by getting to an undefeated six, Read meanwhile had played his stereotypical backs to the wall innings, reaching 52 before being last man out caught at fine leg off Wagner. What a reliable player he is. Notts 242 all out , probably 100 under par on a good slowish pitch on a sunny day. Too many players had got in but not pushed on. Wagner had looked poor against Notts two years ago whilst playing at Wantage Road, Today he got the ball to swing and seam and was a handful throughout picking up 6 for 66. Jarvis bowled a few four balls but picked up three for 72. Anderson was accurate but lacked zip and was wicket less in his 16 overs.

The sun was still out as Lancashire commenced their innings with 19 overs still remaining Jake Ball bowling from the Pavilion End had Karl Brown leg before for a duck in the third over as opening four overs were maidens. Unfortunately Ball and Broad did not let the batsman play enough and Lancashire got to the close on 25 for one. A good sized crowd went home happy as Lancashire finished the day in the stronger position. However tomorrow is supposed to dark and dank and bowling conditions should be much more favorable. Notts are well and truly still in this game. The worry for Notts is the top order batting minus Hales looks suspect.MAG

Preview

Fletcher and Derbyshire might have the 3 AAAs but when Notts take on Lancashire they could have the 3 BBBs - that's Ball, Bird and Broad in the bowling attack although Jake Ball might be one of the unlucky lads in the following squad:


Chris Read
Steven Mullaney
Brendan Taylor
Greg Smith
Riki Wessels
Samit Patel
Brett Hutton
Matt Carter
Luke Wood
Harry Gurney and the 3Bs

In the first official post Titch era squad, one evident problem exists, not that Titch would have made any difference, as it's the snakingly long tail - 4 potential number 11s (sorry Jacob).

An indifferent Surrey attack managed to blow the lower order away last Sunday, even after being made to look more third rate than even second class for much of the day beforehand. That's a worry that the guys in red need to sort out and probably means that Luke Wood will play in preference to Gurney or Carter or Ball. The look of the wicket is likely to pick Carter or not pick Carter so the 11 will effectively pick itself on the day.

Long term, a returning Luke Fletcher should improve the lower end batting too.