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BEARS CLAW THROUGH NOTTS IN SPITE OF SAMIT PATEL TON
Despite a superlative innings from Samit Patel in which he scored 72% of his sides total Notts subsided to Warwickshire in just 28.3 overs playing time today at dank Trent Bridge.
After heavy early morning rain followed by the lightest of drizzle, play finally got started at 1445 with 47 overs to bowl. The crowd only numbered a couple of hundred.
In the third over of the day Smith was bowled neck and crop by Barker for eight. Next ball Wessels was leg before to ball that swung back in; Wessels gone for a golden duck. He will hope to rediscover his form when the white ball emerges on Friday. Samit Patel got a single to avert the hat trick. Patel went for his shots and with attacking fields being set there were plenty of gaps in the field. The odd ball was misbehaving but no chances were offered. Patel raced to 50 off 36 balls with 10 fours. Clarke was then hit for six by the mercurial Patel. Taylor was happy to perform the sheet anchor role. With the 6th wicket stand worth 89 runs in 14 overs Taylor received a good ball from Chris Wright which moved away and which the Zimbabwean edged to Ambrose Taylor gone for 26. Read had brain failure when off his fourth ball he planted the ball straight down to deep square leg's throat, Patel being the bowler. The Captain gone for a duck five minutes before tea and the game now all but gone. Notts got to tea on 119 for seven with Patel 71 not out and Hutton two not out, 28 overs remained.
Light drizzle fell during the interval but no time was lost. Patel who bowled out the match from Radcliffe Road End got Hutton (2) in the first over after the resumption when he edged into Ambrose's gloves, 119 for eight. Only the rabbits left to come.
Patel had now carte blanche to go after his namesake, sixes galore rained in the Radcliffe Road, as helmets for spectators were probably required. With the lights now on, Patel got to his ton in just 68 balls with another six off his namesake as Bird contributed a solitary single to the ninth wicket stand of 35. Bird lasted 17 balls before being bowled by Chris Wright. The last wicket stand was worth 19 as Gurney just faced a solitary ball. Patel after hitting 12 fours and 8 sixes (7 off Patel) finally went for one big hit too many being caught at point with numerous fielders going for catch as the ball came down from orbit, Hain getting his hands on it as Patel finished on 124 off just 82 balls; what an innings! Notts 173 all out, lost by 53 runs. Heavy rain was falling in Nottingham within 20 minutes of the finish. The highest percentage of a first class innings by a batsman batting at seven or lower remains at 79% (63*/80) by Cyril Sewell for Gloucestershire versus Sussex at Hove in 1913. Patel’s effort today lies in second place. Another curio was that Mr Extras failed to get off the mark. Barker made the important incisions at the top of the order taking four out of the first five. Only Read and Patel brought about their own dismissals the rest of batting was removed by the Bears bowlers on the tricky surface. Warwick impressed through the whole game, bowling very few bad balls. They look a very experienced and canny outfit. With Bell and Trott sure to get a bagful of runs they look to me the likeliest of challenges to the White Rose.
Notts were made to pay for mediocre slip catching, poor bowling between afternoon and tea on Sunday and a flawed team selection. Too many of the batsmen are out of form or do not cut the mustard; Libby should have played or may be the in-form Sam Wood. A left field selection for Sunday would be Dan Christian, but I cannot see that happening. Whatever way you look at it despite a lot of endeavour the batting has not been up to the standard required this season. The tail also is too long.MAG
CRAZY LAST SESSION TURNS GAME BACK TO BEARS
Despite a superlative innings from Samit Patel in which he scored 72% of his sides total Notts subsided to Warwickshire in just 28.3 overs playing time today at dank Trent Bridge.
After heavy early morning rain followed by the lightest of drizzle, play finally got started at 1445 with 47 overs to bowl. The crowd only numbered a couple of hundred.
In the third over of the day Smith was bowled neck and crop by Barker for eight. Next ball Wessels was leg before to ball that swung back in; Wessels gone for a golden duck. He will hope to rediscover his form when the white ball emerges on Friday. Samit Patel got a single to avert the hat trick. Patel went for his shots and with attacking fields being set there were plenty of gaps in the field. The odd ball was misbehaving but no chances were offered. Patel raced to 50 off 36 balls with 10 fours. Clarke was then hit for six by the mercurial Patel. Taylor was happy to perform the sheet anchor role. With the 6th wicket stand worth 89 runs in 14 overs Taylor received a good ball from Chris Wright which moved away and which the Zimbabwean edged to Ambrose Taylor gone for 26. Read had brain failure when off his fourth ball he planted the ball straight down to deep square leg's throat, Patel being the bowler. The Captain gone for a duck five minutes before tea and the game now all but gone. Notts got to tea on 119 for seven with Patel 71 not out and Hutton two not out, 28 overs remained.
Light drizzle fell during the interval but no time was lost. Patel who bowled out the match from Radcliffe Road End got Hutton (2) in the first over after the resumption when he edged into Ambrose's gloves, 119 for eight. Only the rabbits left to come.
Patel had now carte blanche to go after his namesake, sixes galore rained in the Radcliffe Road, as helmets for spectators were probably required. With the lights now on, Patel got to his ton in just 68 balls with another six off his namesake as Bird contributed a solitary single to the ninth wicket stand of 35. Bird lasted 17 balls before being bowled by Chris Wright. The last wicket stand was worth 19 as Gurney just faced a solitary ball. Patel after hitting 12 fours and 8 sixes (7 off Patel) finally went for one big hit too many being caught at point with numerous fielders going for catch as the ball came down from orbit, Hain getting his hands on it as Patel finished on 124 off just 82 balls; what an innings! Notts 173 all out, lost by 53 runs. Heavy rain was falling in Nottingham within 20 minutes of the finish. The highest percentage of a first class innings by a batsman batting at seven or lower remains at 79% (63*/80) by Cyril Sewell for Gloucestershire versus Sussex at Hove in 1913. Patel’s effort today lies in second place. Another curio was that Mr Extras failed to get off the mark. Barker made the important incisions at the top of the order taking four out of the first five. Only Read and Patel brought about their own dismissals the rest of batting was removed by the Bears bowlers on the tricky surface. Warwick impressed through the whole game, bowling very few bad balls. They look a very experienced and canny outfit. With Bell and Trott sure to get a bagful of runs they look to me the likeliest of challenges to the White Rose.
Notts were made to pay for mediocre slip catching, poor bowling between afternoon and tea on Sunday and a flawed team selection. Too many of the batsmen are out of form or do not cut the mustard; Libby should have played or may be the in-form Sam Wood. A left field selection for Sunday would be Dan Christian, but I cannot see that happening. Whatever way you look at it despite a lot of endeavour the batting has not been up to the standard required this season. The tail also is too long.MAG
CRAZY LAST SESSION TURNS GAME BACK TO BEARS
A crazy last session which saw nine wickets fall for 76 runs ended with Notts needing a further 216 runs with seven wickets standing. With the pitch showing signs of uneven bounce Warwickshire will now be considered as favourites to win this fascinating game. To further confuse matters heavy rain is forecast for Nottingham tomorrow morning up to lunchtime.
Play got under way in glorious sunshine. Fletcher was hit on the hand by Chris Woakes but the magic spray was applied and he carried on with no obvious discomfort. Hutton got through to chanceless 50 in 72 balls. Barker and Woakes were replaced by Clarke and Wright. Having batted for 52 minutes this morning, Hutton edged a ball from Clarke straight to Evans in the gulley. Hutton had scored 59 with nine fours. The eighth wicket had added 46, 361 for eight. Next over Fletcher got hit in the wedding bells by Chris Wright; cue another stoppage. Bird (9) lasted 11 balls until pulling Wright to Patel at midwicket, 374 for nine. The batsman crossed and Fletcher drove the final ball of the over for four. Gurney skied a three over Barker at mid off. A no ball followed following a high bouncer from Clarke but next ball Fletcher was comprehensively bowled via a slower ball for 29. Notts 383 all out having batted for 80 minutes of the morning session. Clarke was the pick of the bowlers with four for 72. Notts led by 10 runs on first innings.
In the eighth over of the reply and on the stroke of lunch Westwood (1) gloved a ball from Fletcher to Patel in the gulley, Warwickshire 26 for one.
The members forum passed by very peacefully with no real controversial issues covered. Mick Newell said that he would rather see players go out on loan rather than play for the stiffs. He said at the start of the season it was decided that Greg Smith would get the initial nod over Jake Libby. Lisa Pursehouse revealed the club are budgeting for a loss of 1.6 million pounds in 2016. Mick Newell was keen to introduce spinners into Twenty/20 cricket and name checked young Trent College leg spinner Connor Marshall as a possible star of the future.
Chopra and Trott took advantage of the attacking fields after lunch. Bird was taken off from the Pavilion End after his eight overs went for 47. Hutton replaced him but after bowling two overs for 18 he was in turn replaced by Samit Patel. Trott raced to his 50 off 52 balls but in Patel's second over was palpably leg before for 59. The former England man walking before umpire Millns raised his finger. Warwickshire 103 for two in the 23rd over. Trott in an uncharacteristic attacking innings had hit 10 fours off 60 balls. Chopra was putting bat to ball but Evans was tied down by Patel; frustrated he went for a suicidal single to Bird at mid on who through down the stumps Evans run out for four made off 36 balls; 149 for three. Bird returned this time from the Radcliffe Road End, Sam Hain (9) edged him to Read, 159 for four. Ambrose was then dropped first ball by Mullaney diving to his right at second slip. It got worse in his next over Bird found Ambrose's edge once more but this time it was Wessels turn to drop the catch at first slip failing to hold onto the edge above his head. Ambrose being on five at the time. Warwickshire got to tea on 180 for 4 with Chopra on 82 and Ambrose on 13.
Play got under way in glorious sunshine. Fletcher was hit on the hand by Chris Woakes but the magic spray was applied and he carried on with no obvious discomfort. Hutton got through to chanceless 50 in 72 balls. Barker and Woakes were replaced by Clarke and Wright. Having batted for 52 minutes this morning, Hutton edged a ball from Clarke straight to Evans in the gulley. Hutton had scored 59 with nine fours. The eighth wicket had added 46, 361 for eight. Next over Fletcher got hit in the wedding bells by Chris Wright; cue another stoppage. Bird (9) lasted 11 balls until pulling Wright to Patel at midwicket, 374 for nine. The batsman crossed and Fletcher drove the final ball of the over for four. Gurney skied a three over Barker at mid off. A no ball followed following a high bouncer from Clarke but next ball Fletcher was comprehensively bowled via a slower ball for 29. Notts 383 all out having batted for 80 minutes of the morning session. Clarke was the pick of the bowlers with four for 72. Notts led by 10 runs on first innings.
In the eighth over of the reply and on the stroke of lunch Westwood (1) gloved a ball from Fletcher to Patel in the gulley, Warwickshire 26 for one.
The members forum passed by very peacefully with no real controversial issues covered. Mick Newell said that he would rather see players go out on loan rather than play for the stiffs. He said at the start of the season it was decided that Greg Smith would get the initial nod over Jake Libby. Lisa Pursehouse revealed the club are budgeting for a loss of 1.6 million pounds in 2016. Mick Newell was keen to introduce spinners into Twenty/20 cricket and name checked young Trent College leg spinner Connor Marshall as a possible star of the future.
Chopra and Trott took advantage of the attacking fields after lunch. Bird was taken off from the Pavilion End after his eight overs went for 47. Hutton replaced him but after bowling two overs for 18 he was in turn replaced by Samit Patel. Trott raced to his 50 off 52 balls but in Patel's second over was palpably leg before for 59. The former England man walking before umpire Millns raised his finger. Warwickshire 103 for two in the 23rd over. Trott in an uncharacteristic attacking innings had hit 10 fours off 60 balls. Chopra was putting bat to ball but Evans was tied down by Patel; frustrated he went for a suicidal single to Bird at mid on who through down the stumps Evans run out for four made off 36 balls; 149 for three. Bird returned this time from the Radcliffe Road End, Sam Hain (9) edged him to Read, 159 for four. Ambrose was then dropped first ball by Mullaney diving to his right at second slip. It got worse in his next over Bird found Ambrose's edge once more but this time it was Wessels turn to drop the catch at first slip failing to hold onto the edge above his head. Ambrose being on five at the time. Warwickshire got to tea on 180 for 4 with Chopra on 82 and Ambrose on 13.
The game exploded after tea. Fletcher came on from the Radcliffe Road End straight after tea and with his first ball he removed Chopra caught behind for 82. Fletcher went on a celebratory sprint; he has been clearly fired up throughout this fixture. Six overs later Ambrose (16) was leg before to ball from Fletcher that kept low, 185 for six. In the next over Clarke missed an attempted sweep shot off Patel and was leg before for a nine ball duck, 186 for seven. Barker (6) was next to fall to the fired up Metronome as he edged him to Read. The pitch was clearly deteriorating and in next over Patel bowled his namesake for six, 202 for nine. Fletcher came off to an ovation with figures of 16-6-25-4 and seven for 95 in the match. The Bulwellian always seems to save his best for the Brummies.
Wright was dropped at second slip by Mullaney off the unfortunate Bird when on eight, the fifth slip catch dropped by Notts in the match. Members were scratching their heads pondering why at this stage Brett Hutton the best catcher was not part of the slip cordon.
Wright added a further 12 until being caught by that man Fletcher at backward point off Patel. Warwickshire 236 all out. The last wicket had added an invaluable 34 runs with Woakes left 20 not out. Patel having a good match with the ball had figures of four for 71. Bird who saw three slip catches drop off him finished with one for 76.
Notts needing 227 to win lost Mullaney to the fifth ball caught by Clarke at second slip off Barker bowling from the Pavilion End, nought for one. It got worse as off the last ball of the fifth over Lumb edged Barker to Chopra at first slip, the left hander had eight to his name, 14 for two. Fletcher clip one off his legs to get a four through fine leg off Woakes but the Bears captain got his revenge as Fletcher edged to Chopra at first slip without further addition to his score, 19 for three. Smith eight out not and Brendan Taylor one not out saw out the remaining 13 balls as Notts finished on a rocky 21 for three. MAG
LUMB TON ADDS SPINE TO NOTTS FIGHT
Wright was dropped at second slip by Mullaney off the unfortunate Bird when on eight, the fifth slip catch dropped by Notts in the match. Members were scratching their heads pondering why at this stage Brett Hutton the best catcher was not part of the slip cordon.
Wright added a further 12 until being caught by that man Fletcher at backward point off Patel. Warwickshire 236 all out. The last wicket had added an invaluable 34 runs with Woakes left 20 not out. Patel having a good match with the ball had figures of four for 71. Bird who saw three slip catches drop off him finished with one for 76.
Notts needing 227 to win lost Mullaney to the fifth ball caught by Clarke at second slip off Barker bowling from the Pavilion End, nought for one. It got worse as off the last ball of the fifth over Lumb edged Barker to Chopra at first slip, the left hander had eight to his name, 14 for two. Fletcher clip one off his legs to get a four through fine leg off Woakes but the Bears captain got his revenge as Fletcher edged to Chopra at first slip without further addition to his score, 19 for three. Smith eight out not and Brendan Taylor one not out saw out the remaining 13 balls as Notts finished on a rocky 21 for three. MAG
LUMB TON ADDS SPINE TO NOTTS FIGHT
Notts showed plenty of fight against a testing attack throughout the day, but they clearly are not quite batting to their fullest potential at the moment. Notts took 12 balls to finish Warwickshire innings off as Jeetan Patel edged Gurney to Fletcher at third man, Warwick 373 all out.
Notts got off to steady start in the morning sunshine. Barker moving the
ball both ways proved a tricky opponent. Woakes perhaps bowling too short at
times but he was unlucky to see Smith dropped by Trott at slip when on 10.
Smith got to 26 when he edged the impressive Barker into the safe hands of
Rikki Clarke at second slip, Notts 41 for one. Lumb batted positively from the
off as batting became easier against Clarke and Wright. Notts got safely to
lunch on 101 for one with Lumb on 39 and Mullaney on 35. Like yesterday the
morning session belonged to Notts
Twenty minutes after lunch Mullaney was out strangled down the legside Woakes
the bowler; a poor way to get out having played so well. Mullaney out for 56
off 89 balls with eight fours and one six. The second wicket had added 98 runs off
19 overs, 139 for two. Brendan Taylor came in and never looked convincing, Chinese
cutting a four and surviving a few confident appeals. Lumb though was still
putting bat and raced to 70 at a run a ball. Taylor got to 16 but the returning
Barker had him caught behind for 16, 178 for three. Taylor should consider
himself fortunate to get a recall particularly with Libby getting more runs (81)
for the Cobblers. Clarke was bowling well from the Radcliffe Road End and Lumb
was becoming becalmed. The out of form Wessels did not last falling leg before
to Clarke for six, 189 for four. Jeetan Patel replaced Clarke and got a few
turn past Lumb's bat but the left hander survived to tea on 84 and Samit Patel
had 12 with Notts 212 for four.
After tea, Lumb got to his deserved ton when he on drove Patel for four.
The hundred had taken him 156 balls. After a barren couple of seasons the
milestone was greeted to good applause from the fair sized crowd.
Clarke returned from the Pavilion End and bowled a short ball to Patel
who top edged the ball to Chopra at slip to depart for 26, 256 for five. Next
over Lumb survived a confident leg before shout by Jeetan Patel. In his
following over Patel thought he had Lumb at slip but umpire Millns did not
upheld the appeal. Lumb clearly struggling went in Patel's next over edging to
Clarke at first slip. His 108 was off 193 balls with 20 fours, 266 for six.
Notts were still 107 behind.
The Bears took the new ball two overs late. Clarke and Patel had both
bowled excellent spells giving the batters very few balls to hit. Indeed Patel
was getting more than a few balls to turn. Keith Barker (Pavilion) and Chris
Woakes (Radcliffe) took the new ball. Hutton played a few excellent strokes as
he added 49 runs with his captain. With 14 balls remaining in the day, Read
edged Woakes into Ambrose’s gloves to depart for 23. Hutton (35*) and Fletcher
yet to get off the mark saw Notts on 316 for seven. The pitch is the slow side
but the Warwick bowlers who overall bowled better than Notts got the ball to
deviate throughout the whole day. An interesting match is in prospect. MAG
COSTLY DROPPED CATCHES AS WOAKES TAKES THE ADVANTAGE
Warwickshire will be the happier of the two teams after the first day of this fixture at Trent Bridge. Winning the toss and batting on a sunny day and on an easy paced pitch they scored 372 for nine.
Notts got off to steady start in the morning sunshine. Barker moving the
ball both ways proved a tricky opponent. Woakes perhaps bowling too short at
times but he was unlucky to see Smith dropped by Trott at slip when on 10.
Smith got to 26 when he edged the impressive Barker into the safe hands of
Rikki Clarke at second slip, Notts 41 for one. Lumb batted positively from the
off as batting became easier against Clarke and Wright. Notts got safely to
lunch on 101 for one with Lumb on 39 and Mullaney on 35. Like yesterday the
morning session belonged to Notts
Twenty minutes after lunch Mullaney was out strangled down the legside Woakes
the bowler; a poor way to get out having played so well. Mullaney out for 56
off 89 balls with eight fours and one six. The second wicket had added 98 runs off
19 overs, 139 for two. Brendan Taylor came in and never looked convincing, Chinese
cutting a four and surviving a few confident appeals. Lumb though was still
putting bat and raced to 70 at a run a ball. Taylor got to 16 but the returning
Barker had him caught behind for 16, 178 for three. Taylor should consider
himself fortunate to get a recall particularly with Libby getting more runs (81)
for the Cobblers. Clarke was bowling well from the Radcliffe Road End and Lumb
was becoming becalmed. The out of form Wessels did not last falling leg before
to Clarke for six, 189 for four. Jeetan Patel replaced Clarke and got a few
turn past Lumb's bat but the left hander survived to tea on 84 and Samit Patel
had 12 with Notts 212 for four.
After tea, Lumb got to his deserved ton when he on drove Patel for four.
The hundred had taken him 156 balls. After a barren couple of seasons the
milestone was greeted to good applause from the fair sized crowd.
Clarke returned from the Pavilion End and bowled a short ball to Patel
who top edged the ball to Chopra at slip to depart for 26, 256 for five. Next
over Lumb survived a confident leg before shout by Jeetan Patel. In his
following over Patel thought he had Lumb at slip but umpire Millns did not
upheld the appeal. Lumb clearly struggling went in Patel's next over edging to
Clarke at first slip. His 108 was off 193 balls with 20 fours, 266 for six.
Notts were still 107 behind.
The Bears took the new ball two overs late. Clarke and Patel had both
bowled excellent spells giving the batters very few balls to hit. Indeed Patel
was getting more than a few balls to turn. Keith Barker (Pavilion) and Chris
Woakes (Radcliffe) took the new ball. Hutton played a few excellent strokes as
he added 49 runs with his captain. With 14 balls remaining in the day, Read
edged Woakes into Ambrose’s gloves to depart for 23. Hutton (35*) and Fletcher
yet to get off the mark saw Notts on 316 for seven. The pitch is the slow side
but the Warwick bowlers who overall bowled better than Notts got the ball to
deviate throughout the whole day. An interesting match is in prospect. MAG
COSTLY DROPPED CATCHES AS WOAKES TAKES THE ADVANTAGE
Warwickshire will be the happier of the two teams after the first day of this fixture at Trent Bridge. Winning the toss and batting on a sunny day and on an easy paced pitch they scored 372 for nine.
This however does not tell the full story as they had been 17 for 4 and 60 for 5 but with great batting depth Chris Woakes scored 121 and Keith Barker 113 to completely turn the game round. Notts badly missed the extra pace of Ball and Broad. Gurney the only remaining bowler with enough oomph to trouble the batsman had a poor day with the ball.
On a sunny morning Warwickshire without the injured Ian Bell decided they wanted to bat and duly won the toss. Notts were without England trio Hales, Broad and Ball. Luke Wood pulled up injured before the start so Luke Fletcher back from his loan at Derby made his first start of the season. Also back were Brendan Taylor and Jackson Bird.
Bird (Pavilion) and Fletcher (Radcliffe) opened up and both were bowling tightly. The ball was swinging and nipping off the pitch. In the fifth over of the morning Chopra (3) edged Bird to Wessels at first slip who took a regulation catch, five for one. Fletcher having harshly adjudged a wide by umpire Millns was at his metronomic best. He had a few good appeals turned down but eventually got Westwood leg before for one in the eighth over to one that came back in. It got worse for The Bears when Laurie Evans (4) edged the Bulwell Bomber to Read, 13 for 3 in the fourteenth over Warwickshire innings had ground to a halt. Golden boy Hain was next in but lasted four balls before departing leg before to Fletcher to another ball that moved off the pitch. Hain out for a duck; 17 for four.
Bird bowling his best spell for Notts had figures of 9-2-18-1 when he was replaced by Hutton. Fletcher kept going and finally finished his spell with figures of 11-6-6-3 including one wide and a no ball. An outstanding effort. Experienced pair Trott and Ambrose tucked into some indifferent bowling from Hutton and Gurney. Mullaney replaced Hutton and in his second over had Ambrose leg before for 14, 60 for five. Captain Woakes saw out the remaining five balls before lunch with Trott who was not out 32. Warwick were 60 for five after 29 overs. Notts having had an excellent morning after losing the toss.
Things went downhill from this point. Warwick put the foot on the accelerator after lunch as Mullaney and Fletcher proved expensive. Fifty were runs were added in eight overs and worse was to follow as Hutton who replaced Fletcher from the Radcliffe Road End was hit for four consecutive fours all round the park by Trott in his first over. Bird came on and hit Trott in the nether regions and a couple of balls later Trott thick edged him and Hutton took a brilliant diving catch low down to his right at third slip. Trott out for 68 with 14 fours off 114 balls, 117 for six. Next over Woakes on 19 edged Hutton to Lumb at third slip who put down the chance. On 29 Woakes was once again dropped off Hutton, Mullaney this time dropping the chance at second slip. Woakes took advantage of the drop chances and became increasingly attacking in partnership with Rikki Clarke. In Patel's first over Clarke played a dreadful shot to be caught on the long on ropes by Wessels for nine, 161 for seven. Gurney was not bowling at his best and Warwickshire got to tea on 185 for seven with Woakes on 67 and Barker on 18.
Warwickshire piled on the runs after tea as Woakes and Barker looked in no trouble on the easy paced pitch against tired and distinctly average bowling. The new ball was taken by Bird and Fletcher and the latter so frugal in the morning was hit for four boundaries in one over by Keith Barker. Finally with ninth over with the new ball Bird got Woakes to edge Read to depart for 121. A captain's innings off 187 balls with 19 fours, the dropped caches had proved very costly. The eighth wicket had 167 runs in 38 overs to turn the game on its head.
Barker and Patel added a further 40 runs in five overs as the left hander got to his ton with a pulled six into the Fridge off Brett Hutton. Finally in the 94th over Barker gloved an attempted pull shot off Gurney and was caught behind as Read got his third catch of the innings. Jeetan Patel and Wright saw Warwickshire to the close on 372 for nine. Fletcher and Bird both picked up three wickets but the former so economical in the morning had gone for 64 off his last nine overs. Hutton unlucky to see two slip catches put down of his own bowling also had an expensive day his 19 overs costing 89 runs. On the credit side his catch at slip to remove Trott was superlative and probably saved Notts a lot of runs, the former England man looking in fine form.
The wicket was similar to Lord's last week, slow and low with a short boundary on the Bridgford Road side, Notts should be looking for a similar total to the opposition on this wicket. Let’s hope the ball does not move as much tomorrow morning. MAG
Jackson Bird,
Luke Fletcher,
Harry Gurney,
Brett Hutton,
Michael Lumb,
Steven Mullaney,
Samit Patel,
Chris Read, X C
Greg Smith,
Brendan Taylor,
Riki Wessels
On a sunny morning Warwickshire without the injured Ian Bell decided they wanted to bat and duly won the toss. Notts were without England trio Hales, Broad and Ball. Luke Wood pulled up injured before the start so Luke Fletcher back from his loan at Derby made his first start of the season. Also back were Brendan Taylor and Jackson Bird.
Bird (Pavilion) and Fletcher (Radcliffe) opened up and both were bowling tightly. The ball was swinging and nipping off the pitch. In the fifth over of the morning Chopra (3) edged Bird to Wessels at first slip who took a regulation catch, five for one. Fletcher having harshly adjudged a wide by umpire Millns was at his metronomic best. He had a few good appeals turned down but eventually got Westwood leg before for one in the eighth over to one that came back in. It got worse for The Bears when Laurie Evans (4) edged the Bulwell Bomber to Read, 13 for 3 in the fourteenth over Warwickshire innings had ground to a halt. Golden boy Hain was next in but lasted four balls before departing leg before to Fletcher to another ball that moved off the pitch. Hain out for a duck; 17 for four.
Bird bowling his best spell for Notts had figures of 9-2-18-1 when he was replaced by Hutton. Fletcher kept going and finally finished his spell with figures of 11-6-6-3 including one wide and a no ball. An outstanding effort. Experienced pair Trott and Ambrose tucked into some indifferent bowling from Hutton and Gurney. Mullaney replaced Hutton and in his second over had Ambrose leg before for 14, 60 for five. Captain Woakes saw out the remaining five balls before lunch with Trott who was not out 32. Warwick were 60 for five after 29 overs. Notts having had an excellent morning after losing the toss.
Things went downhill from this point. Warwick put the foot on the accelerator after lunch as Mullaney and Fletcher proved expensive. Fifty were runs were added in eight overs and worse was to follow as Hutton who replaced Fletcher from the Radcliffe Road End was hit for four consecutive fours all round the park by Trott in his first over. Bird came on and hit Trott in the nether regions and a couple of balls later Trott thick edged him and Hutton took a brilliant diving catch low down to his right at third slip. Trott out for 68 with 14 fours off 114 balls, 117 for six. Next over Woakes on 19 edged Hutton to Lumb at third slip who put down the chance. On 29 Woakes was once again dropped off Hutton, Mullaney this time dropping the chance at second slip. Woakes took advantage of the drop chances and became increasingly attacking in partnership with Rikki Clarke. In Patel's first over Clarke played a dreadful shot to be caught on the long on ropes by Wessels for nine, 161 for seven. Gurney was not bowling at his best and Warwickshire got to tea on 185 for seven with Woakes on 67 and Barker on 18.
Warwickshire piled on the runs after tea as Woakes and Barker looked in no trouble on the easy paced pitch against tired and distinctly average bowling. The new ball was taken by Bird and Fletcher and the latter so frugal in the morning was hit for four boundaries in one over by Keith Barker. Finally with ninth over with the new ball Bird got Woakes to edge Read to depart for 121. A captain's innings off 187 balls with 19 fours, the dropped caches had proved very costly. The eighth wicket had 167 runs in 38 overs to turn the game on its head.
Barker and Patel added a further 40 runs in five overs as the left hander got to his ton with a pulled six into the Fridge off Brett Hutton. Finally in the 94th over Barker gloved an attempted pull shot off Gurney and was caught behind as Read got his third catch of the innings. Jeetan Patel and Wright saw Warwickshire to the close on 372 for nine. Fletcher and Bird both picked up three wickets but the former so economical in the morning had gone for 64 off his last nine overs. Hutton unlucky to see two slip catches put down of his own bowling also had an expensive day his 19 overs costing 89 runs. On the credit side his catch at slip to remove Trott was superlative and probably saved Notts a lot of runs, the former England man looking in fine form.
The wicket was similar to Lord's last week, slow and low with a short boundary on the Bridgford Road side, Notts should be looking for a similar total to the opposition on this wicket. Let’s hope the ball does not move as much tomorrow morning. MAG
Jackson Bird,
Luke Fletcher,
Harry Gurney,
Brett Hutton,
Michael Lumb,
Steven Mullaney,
Samit Patel,
Chris Read, X C
Greg Smith,
Brendan Taylor,
Riki Wessels
As far as can be ascertained Patel's 124 was the highest proportion of runs in an innings by a no. 7 batsman in first-class cricket where all 11 in the team batted.
ReplyDeleteCyril Sewell, batting at no.7 for Gloucestershire against Sussex in 1913 scored 63* out of 80 all out (78.75%), but two batsmen were absent ill and injured. Sewell came in to bat when Sussex were 4 for 5.
Highest % of f-c total batting at 7 or lower:
Delete78.75% (63*/80) COH Sewell Glos v Sus Hove 1913
71.67% (124/173) SR Patel Notts v Warks yesterday
Amazing statistic and apparently, the fastest century of the season so far. Takes me back to watching Sobers hit the fastest century of the season at Ilkeston many moons ago. Pity our overseas player is not of that calibre. Quite frankly, I have been stunningly unimpressed with Bird. The home grown talent of Ball and Fletcher (to some extent Gurney) have showed how it should be done. We need to keep the boot on the opposition's necks. Champion sides don't release the grip.
ReplyDeletebws
Chris S