v Yorkshire Specsavers at Trent Bridge

MATCH DRAWN AFTER SEE-SAW DAY

After a fantastic's day’s cricket, Notts were within one wicket of claiming a miraculous victory over Yorkshire as Jack Brooks managed to survive the last two balls from Stuart Broad. Both teams can take credit from a hard fought game played in good spirit throughout.

Having been so cold for the previous three days, the weather was much better today with clear blue skies and sunshine, there was still though a strong south westerly wind.

Notts had a superb morning adding 148 runs in 30 overs and losing just three wickets. After Read played out a maiden in the first over from Patterson. The first ball of the next over saw Patel who had batted so well last night edged Brooks to Root at slip to depart for 51, Notts led by 122 with just four wickets standing. The good sized crowd then enjoyed a fine partnership between Read and Broad who decided attack was the best form of defence. They added 104 in 20 overs of high class entertainment as the short Fox Road boundary was peppered with fours and sixes. One shot from Broad going into the car park. Yorkshire took the new ball straight away and with the ninth ball with the new cherry Broad edged Brooks to Lyth who took a good catch at slip. Broad went off to a good ovation having scored 55 off 57 balls with eight fours and one six. The whole dynamics of the game had now changed. Ball was not expected to last long against the new ball, but hung around and also played his shots. One ball from Brooks struck him on his hand. After a brief stoppage the next ball from the Wendy banded Brooks was deposited for six over point. It was all very enthralling stuff. The red blooded Willey bowling from the Pavilion End eventually bowled Ball for 22. The eighth wicket had added 34 in just five overs. Read was batting superbly playing his typical impish way. Notts went to lunch on 299 for eight with Read on 78 and Bird on 1.

Notts survived another 40 minutes after lunch to really set the match up. Batting was getting easier as the sun shone brightly. Bird got to 23 including four boundaries when he fell leg before to the wily Patterson. The ninth wicket had added 52 in 12 overs to further Yorkshire's frustrations. Read got to a superb ton off 178 balls on driving Rashid for four and then holed out to the deep mid wicket boundary off Patterson. His 101 contained 14 fours and three sixes, what a brilliant innings under pressure; how will Notts ever cope without the best number seven in County cricket? Notts having been 151 for five overnight had got to a scarcely believable 348 all out. Patterson was the pick of the bowlers grabbing four for 57 of accurate medium fast bowling. An archetypal Tyke seamer.

Yorkshire needed 320 off 53 overs at a shade over six an over with the wicket easing this target was certainly attainable but testing. Ball having a magnificent match removed Lyth for 4 to a leg side ball that the Whitby man glanced into Read’s gloves. Lees who looked the best batsman on show throughout the game stood firm against the Ball and Broad barrage. Ballance was lucky to survive and looked second rate alongside his classy younger colleague. Bird and Gurney came on, the former proved expensive but was desperately unlucky not to get Ballance leg before to a ball looking to hit middle, umpire Kettleborough turning down the appeal. Gurney was bowling well but lacking luck. The second wicket partnership was laying a perfect platform and reached 116 runs in 27 overs when Ballance played an ugly cross batted paddle which ballooned off his pads and lobbed up to Mullaney, Patel picking up a wicket in his first over. Root came in and added 53 in nine overs with Lees. The lion hearted Ball returned once more and had Root caught on the deep mid wicket ropes by Greg Smith for 27, 173 for three with 17 overs remaining. Bairstow inside edged his first ball off Ball and then next over he bisected Read and his only slip Wessels off Broad then he hit outrageous six way outside off stump from Broad. The game was bubbling up. Lees and Bairstow had added 54 in less than six overs, Yorkshire were now on top. But Bairstow went for one big shot too many skying Ball bowling a long spell from the Radcliffe Road straight to Stuart Broad on the Fox Road ropes. The danger man gone for 35 off 20 balls.  Lees had got a high class ton off 116 balls, it looks a case when rather if in terms of his elevation to England XI. The left hander was tiring and holed out to the perspiring Gurney, Bird taking the catch at long leg whilst on the run, the Australian was withdrawn from the attack after six overs and was not seen again as the match hit the crucial phase. 

Lees had scored 107 with 14 fours; he was later named Player of the Match. 

The match was now on an even keel. But Gurney who had replaced Broad from the Pavilion End was in the zone and was to pick up four wickets in four overs. Next to fall big hitting Plunkett who was caught by Lumb for 11, 247 for six. Yorkshire now needed an improbable 73 off seven overs. Captain Gale finally came in and the chase was now off. The field which had been spread far and wide suddenly changed to one of attack. Gale (2) fell plumb leg before to Gurney as the crowd became animated. Willey (5) fell in Gurney’s next over to another leg before dismissal. Ball had bowled 10 overs on the bounce and was the best bowler on show in the match. Broad who not at his peak had bowled well throughout replaced him with three overs remaining. With three balls to bowl, he finally got a wicket having Patterson leg before for one. Brooks guided his first ball through backward point. He somehow survived the last ball as Yorkshire closed on 257 for nine. The crowd had seen 454 runs scored and 14 wickets fall on what will probably turn out to the best day’s cricket of 2016. Ball finished with three for 68 and seven in the game. Gurney indifferent in Manchester came back very strongly in this match and had figures of 16-3-54-4. Notts were so close to winning thanks to Yorkshire going full throttle at a testing target. Both teams take 10 points from the fixture which will be long remembered. MAG

YORKSHIRE STAND POISED AFTER ENTERTAINING DAY

Yorkshire closed the day in a strong position with Notts leading by 122 runs with five second innings wicket still standing. On a cool, cloudy day with floodlights on for long periods; it was not good cricket watching weather but a reasonable crowd attended an entertaining day.

The first session was even. Gurney and Bird opened the bowling. In Gurney's second over of the morning, Lees got a fine edge to Read to depart for 92. Read's rare dropped catch the night before not proving costly. 173 for five. Rashid joined Gale and a further 43 runs were added. Jake Ball who was deservedly awarded his county cap at lunchtime replaced Gurney from the Radcliffe Road and induced Gale (44) to edge him to Mullaney to third slip. Plunkett took 16 off an over from Broad as both him and Rashid went for their shots. Yorkshire were certainly showing a “gung ho” attitude. Patel replaced Broad from the Pavilion End and bowled a full toss with his first ball. Rashid's eyes lit up but only succeeded in finding Jake Ball on the deep square leg ropes, 250 for seven; Rashid out for 19. Willey came in and got to 18 when he edged Bird into Read's gloves. Yorkshire got to lunch on 279 for eight with Plunkett on 42 and Patterson yet to score.

Yorkshire lasted a further 15 minutes after lunch. Patterson normally very obdurate skied one from Patel to Ball at mid wicket. Plunkett raced to a run a ball 50 but then holed out to Smith on the deep mid wicket boundary day as Bird picked up his second wicket. Yorkshire 290 all out led by 29 runs on first innings. Ball was superb throughout with four for 57. Broad despite his fine opening spell remained wicket less.

Notts reply got off to a nightmare start when Mullaney was adjudged leg before for two. The decision seemed marginal with the ball looking like it was heading down leg side. Willey's over exuberant appeal not helping putting undue pressure on umpire Gough. Hales did not get off the mark until the fifth over as Notts, as per the second innings at Old Trafford, were scoring at under two an hour. Greg Smith then shouldered arms to ball from Steve Patterson which moved considerably off the pitch and which bowled him for 17, 28 for two. The floodlights came once again and it was proving a real struggle for the home side. Yorkshire were bowling much better than the equivalent stage during the first day. Tea was taken early at 1544 with 35 overs remaining due to bad light and rain with Notts on 47 for two. Hales was on 18 and Lumb on nine.

Tea lasted 35 minutes and ten minutes after the resumption and with no runs added to the score Lumb edged Patterson to Lyth's at second slip. Notts now in real trouble at 47 for three. Patterson bowled extremely well all day finishing with figures of 13 overs two for 17, moving the ball both ways. Hales (34) was lucky to survive a leg before shout against Patterson but next over was bowled neck and crop to an unplayable ball delivered by Jack Brooks that kept low. A mature innings against testing bowling lasting 115 balls with five fours. The fourth wicket partnership with Wessels had added 28 in nine overs. Plunkett replaced Brooks from the Radcliffe Road End and with his second ball got a fast delivery to go through Wessels’ (15) gate, Notts 102 for five in the 44th over. The last hour belonged to Notts as Samit Patel who looked in fine form hitting nine fours in his unbeaten 51 and he added an unbroken 53 with the dependable Chris Read who was on 13. Notts 122 for five off 60 overs. They will be looking to add a further 100 runs tomorrow to make a game of it. There are some signs of uneven bounce from the Radcliffe Road End. Who can forget the game at Leeds five years ago when Yorkshire chasing 150 collapsed to 86 all out. Could Broad produce one of his magic spells in front of the cameras? Stranger things have happened...... MAG

OPENING BALL BURST OVERSHADOWED BY YORKSHIRE'S GRITTY LEE
A fantastic new ball burst from Jake Ball reduced Yorkshire to 24 for three in a rain hit day at Trent Bridge. However a typical Yorkshire fight back ensured that they ended the day in the ascendancy on 170 for four, just 91 runs behind Notts under par 261 all out.

Despite the gloomy forecast the morning session was played uninterrupted. The day was warmer and more humid but strong south westerly wind remained.

Jake Ball opened up from the Radcliffe Road and from the very first ball Adam Lyth was leg before. Ballance was all at sea against Stuart Broad but it was Ball who removed him caught behind for seven, 24 for two in the seventh. Enter Joe Root. The world's number one edged Ball low to Wessels at first slip who took a superb catch. Root out for a golden duck. Ball produced an excellent hat trick ball but the ball did not quite find the edge of Jonny Bairstow's bat. The floodlights came on as Yorkshire survived the next seven overs as Broad and Ball had produced the best opening spell we have seen all season. Bairstow inside edged Ball but the diving Read could not quite get his gloves on it. Yorkshire 43 for three off 10 overs. Lees and Bairstow steady the ship as Gurney (Pavilion) and Bird (Radcliffe) proved an easier proposition. Bird in particular proved expensive his five overs costing 39 runs. Bairstow survived a very sharp chance to Hales at third slip when on 25, the ball probably not quite carrying. Gurney was a mixture of good and indifferent but always has the ability of bowling wicket taking balls. Bairstow got to 29 when he was adjudged leg before from a ball from Gurney that was might have just been going down leg side. The right hander had faced 48 balls hitting four boundaries. The fourth wicket had added 83 in 17 overs. Ball replaced the hapless Bird just before lunch but Gale 6 not out and the highly impressive Lees 69 not out stood firm as Yorkshire reached the interval on 122 for four off 28 overs.

The rain arrived in earnest during the luncheon interval and play did not recommence until 1745 with 52 overs lost. Unfortunately Ball and Broad could not get their line right in the wet conditions. Lees and Gale added a further 48 runs batting positively. Broad was replaced by Patel rather than Bird. Gurney meanwhile replaced Ball and Alex Lees on 88 edged to Read behind the stumps but Read failed to hold onto the chance. At 1834 nine balls before the scheduled stumps a shower arrived and stumps were drawn. Halifax left hander Lees had batted excellently for 91 off 130 balls with 13 fours and Captain Gale was on 21. With a strong batting line up one would expect a large Yorkshire lead unless Ball and Broad can repeat today’s morning efforts with the older ball. MAG

YORKSHIRE GRAB DAY BACK AFTER NOTTS ENJOY THE FIRST HOUR

Yorkshire had the best of the first day at Trent Bridge. Electing to bowl after an uncontested toss they bowled out Notts for 261 despite an indifferent morning bowling performance. The highlights for Notts were an excellent innings from Mullaney and a gritty 49 for Michael Lumb. With cold conditions and the presence of Sky TV a good crowd was in attendance.

Hales playing his first game of the season following his two week sabbatical replaced the out of form Brendan Taylor. Newell elected to keep the same bowling line up from the disappointing game at Old Trafford. Brett Hutton being unlucky to miss out once more. Yorkshire meanwhile were without Bresnan and Sidebottom as Willey made his Yorkshire championship debut. Jack Leaning the scorer of two championship tons against Notts last season could not make the starting line up.

Yorkshire to quote announcer Mike Peck “exercised their prerogative” to elect to field under the new 2016 regulations. The first few overs were a load of Cobblers as the opening bowling attack of Willey (Pavilion) and Brooks (Radcliffe) former Northants colleagues served up some dross as Notts got off to fast start as Mullaney hit three fours off Brooks’ first over. Brooks' first two overs cost 20 runs and was replaced by Patterson. Notts got to 50 with a six by Mullaney off a short ball from Willey over midwicket. Mullaney looked in fine form replicating his effort against Surrey in the opening fixture. Hales was dealing just in boundaries as Yorkshire was struggling with their line and length. With the score on 77 in the 16th over. Hales gave it away hitting a ball from Brooks straight to Root at short extra cover. Hales out for 36 with eight fours off 53 balls. Smith came in and lasted 12 balls until dragging a ball from Brooks on his middle stump to depart for a duck, 89 for two. Lumb struggling for form made a confident start and added 43 in 10 overs for the third wicket. Mullaney was batting so well but in last over before lunch edged a good ball from Patterson to Lees at first slip who took the catch at the second attempt. Mullaney out for an excellent and confident 78 off 80 balls with 12 fours and two sixes. Notts 132 for three off 29.3 overs at lunch with Lumb on 14. After an indifferent bowling performance Yorkshire were probably pleased to have picked up three wickets.

Eight minutes were lost as lunch was extended due to a light shower. The afternoon session very much belonged to the visitors as Notts lost five wickets whilst adding 106 runs. Wessels (12) never looked in good touch and lasted 39 balls before edging Plunkett just returning for his second spell to Root at second slip, 163 for four. Patel joined Lumb and added 32 in 10 overs before falling plumb leg before to the leg spinner Rashid for 16. Lumb playing his best innings of the season got to 49 before falling leg before to Brooks, 201 for 6. Lumb had faced 118 balls and hit seven fours. Read (5) for once could not rescue Notts as he edged Brooks to keeper Bairstow, 214 for seven. Ball did not last long skying Rashid to Brooks who took the catch at deep square leg to depart for seven, 225 for eight. Bird got off the mark with a four through fine leg as Notts went to tea on 238 for 8 with Broad on 21 and Bird on 4.

Bird departed straight after tea leg before to Rashid. The light was getting poorer and therefore Yorkshire elected to use Lyth's twirlers from the Radcliffe Road End. This gave Notts hope of getting their second bating point as Lyth's solitary over went for nine. Patterson replaced Lyth's as Broad was run out going for a second run failing to beat Brooks’s accurate throw from long leg. Broad failed to make his ground as he was run out for 31 as Notts were all out 261 at 1639. Gurney putting his case to bat above Bird finished with eight not out.

Yorkshire had bowled much better after lunch would have been pleased to bowl out Notts for a relatively low total on a pitch which posed little threat and which had a short boundary on the Fox Road side of the ground. Brooks finished with four wickets and Rashid three wickets. After getting off to such a good start Notts will not happy with their eventual total which looked somewhat under par.

With the light closing in Yorkshire never had chance to start their innings as play was called off at 1720 with 24 overs lost. With an extremely strong batting line up Yorkshire will be looking to gain a substantial first innings lead. MAG