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A record breaking day at Trent Bridge as the second highest List A aggregate run total of 870 runs were scored between the two teams with heroic Northants effort seeing them fall just 21 runs short of their target of 446 being bowled out for 425 with ten balls unused.
Only the famous South Africa versus Australia classic at Johannesburg in 2005/06 saw more scored runs, namely 872. The game played throughout below a cloudless sky saw 35 sixes hit.
Notts recorded the second highest List A innings total with a mammoth 445 for eight. The only higher total being the Surrey total of 496 for four against Gloucestershire in 2007. Michael Lumb's 184 was the highest by Notts in limited overs cricket beating Paul Johnson's 167 not out versus Kent in 1993. The first wicket stand of 342 between Lumb and Wessels was 25 below the world record 367 unbroken by van Wyk and Delport for Dolphins versus Knights at Bloemfontein in 2014. It was though the biggest limited overs stand seen in the UK.
Notts won the toss and elected to bat and they were unchanged from the Lancashire nail biter. Wessels and Lumb were in completel in command as the ball hardly ever beat the bat. There were a few aerial shots that just avoided fielders but both innings were chanceless. The 50 partnership was brought up in 9.1 overs; with Lumb dominating the strike and scoring being 45 not out off 44 balls. The 100 came up in 16.5 overs with Lumb on 66 and Wessels on 30. Lumb was hit in the shoulder and after a five minute stoppage play resumed. The 150 partnership came up via a six by Wessels off former Notts man Graeme White, 23.5 overs gone. Lumb got to his ton at a run a ball and Notts to 200 in the 29th over bowled by Kleinveldt which went for 20. Wessels got to his ton including 10 fours and five sixes in 75 balls. The 250 partnership came up in the 32nd over and the 300 in the 36th over. Wessels who was hit in the nether regions via full toss finally fell caught at short third man by Ben Sanderson off Crook for a magnificent 146 off 97 balls with 14 fours and eight sixes. How Northants must miss him. The first wicket stand had added 342 with the wicket falling in 40th over. Christian carried on the momentum as a further 29 runs were added in three overs. Lumb was bowled leg stump making room; his 184 came off 150 balls with 21 fours and six sixes. His earlier hit on the shoulder meant he did not field during the Northants reply. Notts lost wickets with regularity going for quick runs. Smith missed a reverse sweep and was bowled for two. Christian was caught at deep mid wicket off Cobb for 31 off 14 balls. Brendan Taylor after 12-ball 21 at caught at deep mid wicket by substitute Richard Gleeson. Mullaney was run out by half a pitch for two. Wood was caught at long on for a single as Cobb picked up his third wicket. Patel fell to the fifth ball of the last over run out for 18-ball 29. Notts 445 for eight. Their previous List A record total being their 368 for two at Lord’s a couple of seasons ago. Sanderson went for 94 in his 10 overs.
Northants got off to a rapid start with the first five overs bowled by Gurney and Fletcher going for 43 runs. The sixth over was bowled by Patel and went for 18. Josh Cobb (29) fell in the seventh over caught by Patel at extra cover off Harry Gurney, 68 for one. Northants raced to 94 for one in first ten over power play, 36 runs ahead of Notts at the equivalent stage. Two balls later and with a further run added Ben Duckett (15) was caught at backward point by Patel off Jake Ball who had just replaced the expensive Gurney (5-0-42-1) from the Radcliffe Road End. In the 15th over Wakely (8) pulled Ball to deep square leg where Smith took a good catch low down on his belly, 113 for three. Rossington and Keogh added 50 in 5.2 overs before Keogh (27) drove Mullaney to mid off where Christian took a good diving catch to his right, 163 for four after 20 overs. Rossington who has scored rapidly against Notts in the past got to 97 (69 balls with 10 fours and three sixes) before being well caught at depart mid wicket low down on the run by Sam Wood off Mullaney, 206 for five in the 26th. Indeed, Notts catching was faultless throughout the whole innings and if any of the chances would been spilled the game would more than likely led to a loss. Kleinveldt came in with Keogh as his runner. Christian replaced Patel from the Radcliffe Road End, Samit's three over spell going for 29 runs. The captain’s over including a wide went for 20 with Kleinveldt hitting two huge leg side sixes. Northants got to 261 for five after 30 overs. Kleinveldt struggling with a leg injury was constantly being fed short balls that he had deposited for leg side sixes. The bowling at this stage was poor and lacking intelligence, Ball in particular being a culprit.
Crook and Kleinveldt added 92 in just 8.2 overs as Notts continued to leak runs. Mullaney bowled out his 10 overs from the Radcliffe Road for two for 68; apart from two overs for 10 runs from Sam Wood the most economical of the day. Gurney replaced him and had Crook caught at deep mid wicket by Patel for 48, 298 for six. Kleinveldt was still scoring at a scarcely believable rate and reached his hundred in just 45 balls completely surpassing the early efforts of Wessels and Lumb who got their tons in 75 and 100 balls respectively. Patel was finally brought back from the Pavilion End and Kleinveldt now having to move his crocked body was struggling, Patel bowled five overs for 35, to finish with nine overs one for 82. Sam Wood had two overs from the Radcliffe Road End and despite being hit for a six over deep mid wicket bowled well. Northants now needed 69 runs off the last seven overs and it was major surprise when Fletcher was brought back to bowl over 44. The wicket did not suit Fletcher who is much better on wickets with more bounce; this one was too easy paced. Graeme White not the most accomplished of batsman hit him for a six and four and then ran a single. Finally Kleinveldt holed to wide long on where substitute Anuj Dal took a good catch. The youngster had earlier in the day scored 54 for the seconds at Hinckley. His 128 came off 63 balls with 10 fours and nine sixes. Northants now needed 50 off 5.2 overs. Five balls later White (40) is perished; once again caught by Dal in the same position off Patel. Next over Azharullah (6) was run out hesitating going for a second run, Mullaney the fielder. Every one wondered whether Levi with an arm injury would bat, he appeared with a runner, but the runner was sent back. There was still time for Levi to hit Ball over his head for six, as he finished the night on 9-0-86-2, a poor effort. Finally the ball was pitched up as Gurney removed Levi’s middle stump as Northants were 425 all out. The small crowd numbering 2,000 had seen a breathless game on a peach of a pitch. What a shame the game was not played the previous day when the crowd would have been much larger. Notts had won thanks once again to Wessels and Lumb and some outstanding catching. The bowling could and should have been better.....Notts pleasingly have won two on the trot, but the team is clearly still not firing on all cylinders. MAG
After the relief of claiming a win yesterday afternoon, Outlaws have a chance to build some confidence and momentum playing three home games before next weekend.
First up on Monday, under the lights, are Northants, perhaps the weakest squad of the group. Outlaws shouldn't take anything for granted, however after their spectacular collapse against Lightning. It is clear nothing is certain with brittle batting at the moment.
The batsmen shouldl be looking to score a lot of runs in this format and with proven assets in this competition, Riki Wessels, Michael Lumb, Greg Smith, Samit Patel and Brendan Taylor (WC), the loss of Hales, Titch and Read from last year's squad shouldn't be used an excuse.
I'd like to see a less conservative final eleven but all the usual suspect have been selected for the announced squad:
Jake Ball, Matt Carter,Dan Chistian, Luke Fletcher, Harry Gurney, Brett Hutton, Michael Lumb, Steven Mullaney, Samit Patel, Greg Smith, Brendan Taylor, Riki Wessels and Sam Wood.
Notts recorded the second highest List A innings total with a mammoth 445 for eight. The only higher total being the Surrey total of 496 for four against Gloucestershire in 2007. Michael Lumb's 184 was the highest by Notts in limited overs cricket beating Paul Johnson's 167 not out versus Kent in 1993. The first wicket stand of 342 between Lumb and Wessels was 25 below the world record 367 unbroken by van Wyk and Delport for Dolphins versus Knights at Bloemfontein in 2014. It was though the biggest limited overs stand seen in the UK.
Notts won the toss and elected to bat and they were unchanged from the Lancashire nail biter. Wessels and Lumb were in completel in command as the ball hardly ever beat the bat. There were a few aerial shots that just avoided fielders but both innings were chanceless. The 50 partnership was brought up in 9.1 overs; with Lumb dominating the strike and scoring being 45 not out off 44 balls. The 100 came up in 16.5 overs with Lumb on 66 and Wessels on 30. Lumb was hit in the shoulder and after a five minute stoppage play resumed. The 150 partnership came up via a six by Wessels off former Notts man Graeme White, 23.5 overs gone. Lumb got to his ton at a run a ball and Notts to 200 in the 29th over bowled by Kleinveldt which went for 20. Wessels got to his ton including 10 fours and five sixes in 75 balls. The 250 partnership came up in the 32nd over and the 300 in the 36th over. Wessels who was hit in the nether regions via full toss finally fell caught at short third man by Ben Sanderson off Crook for a magnificent 146 off 97 balls with 14 fours and eight sixes. How Northants must miss him. The first wicket stand had added 342 with the wicket falling in 40th over. Christian carried on the momentum as a further 29 runs were added in three overs. Lumb was bowled leg stump making room; his 184 came off 150 balls with 21 fours and six sixes. His earlier hit on the shoulder meant he did not field during the Northants reply. Notts lost wickets with regularity going for quick runs. Smith missed a reverse sweep and was bowled for two. Christian was caught at deep mid wicket off Cobb for 31 off 14 balls. Brendan Taylor after 12-ball 21 at caught at deep mid wicket by substitute Richard Gleeson. Mullaney was run out by half a pitch for two. Wood was caught at long on for a single as Cobb picked up his third wicket. Patel fell to the fifth ball of the last over run out for 18-ball 29. Notts 445 for eight. Their previous List A record total being their 368 for two at Lord’s a couple of seasons ago. Sanderson went for 94 in his 10 overs.
Northants got off to a rapid start with the first five overs bowled by Gurney and Fletcher going for 43 runs. The sixth over was bowled by Patel and went for 18. Josh Cobb (29) fell in the seventh over caught by Patel at extra cover off Harry Gurney, 68 for one. Northants raced to 94 for one in first ten over power play, 36 runs ahead of Notts at the equivalent stage. Two balls later and with a further run added Ben Duckett (15) was caught at backward point by Patel off Jake Ball who had just replaced the expensive Gurney (5-0-42-1) from the Radcliffe Road End. In the 15th over Wakely (8) pulled Ball to deep square leg where Smith took a good catch low down on his belly, 113 for three. Rossington and Keogh added 50 in 5.2 overs before Keogh (27) drove Mullaney to mid off where Christian took a good diving catch to his right, 163 for four after 20 overs. Rossington who has scored rapidly against Notts in the past got to 97 (69 balls with 10 fours and three sixes) before being well caught at depart mid wicket low down on the run by Sam Wood off Mullaney, 206 for five in the 26th. Indeed, Notts catching was faultless throughout the whole innings and if any of the chances would been spilled the game would more than likely led to a loss. Kleinveldt came in with Keogh as his runner. Christian replaced Patel from the Radcliffe Road End, Samit's three over spell going for 29 runs. The captain’s over including a wide went for 20 with Kleinveldt hitting two huge leg side sixes. Northants got to 261 for five after 30 overs. Kleinveldt struggling with a leg injury was constantly being fed short balls that he had deposited for leg side sixes. The bowling at this stage was poor and lacking intelligence, Ball in particular being a culprit.
Crook and Kleinveldt added 92 in just 8.2 overs as Notts continued to leak runs. Mullaney bowled out his 10 overs from the Radcliffe Road for two for 68; apart from two overs for 10 runs from Sam Wood the most economical of the day. Gurney replaced him and had Crook caught at deep mid wicket by Patel for 48, 298 for six. Kleinveldt was still scoring at a scarcely believable rate and reached his hundred in just 45 balls completely surpassing the early efforts of Wessels and Lumb who got their tons in 75 and 100 balls respectively. Patel was finally brought back from the Pavilion End and Kleinveldt now having to move his crocked body was struggling, Patel bowled five overs for 35, to finish with nine overs one for 82. Sam Wood had two overs from the Radcliffe Road End and despite being hit for a six over deep mid wicket bowled well. Northants now needed 69 runs off the last seven overs and it was major surprise when Fletcher was brought back to bowl over 44. The wicket did not suit Fletcher who is much better on wickets with more bounce; this one was too easy paced. Graeme White not the most accomplished of batsman hit him for a six and four and then ran a single. Finally Kleinveldt holed to wide long on where substitute Anuj Dal took a good catch. The youngster had earlier in the day scored 54 for the seconds at Hinckley. His 128 came off 63 balls with 10 fours and nine sixes. Northants now needed 50 off 5.2 overs. Five balls later White (40) is perished; once again caught by Dal in the same position off Patel. Next over Azharullah (6) was run out hesitating going for a second run, Mullaney the fielder. Every one wondered whether Levi with an arm injury would bat, he appeared with a runner, but the runner was sent back. There was still time for Levi to hit Ball over his head for six, as he finished the night on 9-0-86-2, a poor effort. Finally the ball was pitched up as Gurney removed Levi’s middle stump as Northants were 425 all out. The small crowd numbering 2,000 had seen a breathless game on a peach of a pitch. What a shame the game was not played the previous day when the crowd would have been much larger. Notts had won thanks once again to Wessels and Lumb and some outstanding catching. The bowling could and should have been better.....Notts pleasingly have won two on the trot, but the team is clearly still not firing on all cylinders. MAG
After the relief of claiming a win yesterday afternoon, Outlaws have a chance to build some confidence and momentum playing three home games before next weekend.
First up on Monday, under the lights, are Northants, perhaps the weakest squad of the group. Outlaws shouldn't take anything for granted, however after their spectacular collapse against Lightning. It is clear nothing is certain with brittle batting at the moment.
The batsmen shouldl be looking to score a lot of runs in this format and with proven assets in this competition, Riki Wessels, Michael Lumb, Greg Smith, Samit Patel and Brendan Taylor (WC), the loss of Hales, Titch and Read from last year's squad shouldn't be used an excuse.
I'd like to see a less conservative final eleven but all the usual suspect have been selected for the announced squad:
Jake Ball, Matt Carter,Dan Chistian, Luke Fletcher, Harry Gurney, Brett Hutton, Michael Lumb, Steven Mullaney, Samit Patel, Greg Smith, Brendan Taylor, Riki Wessels and Sam Wood.
Jono, playing Devils Advocate, wants either Moores or Keast to get a chance in Read's absence. Is this the right approach?
ReplyDeleteI agree that the youngsters need to be brought on. Dad's Army can't go on for ever.I can't remember a time over the last umpteen years (since Brian Bolus and Pasty Harris perhaps) when the team has come under consistent fire for lack of mobility in the field. We can do without the Dan Christian cameo appearance of one over for twenty runs thank you. Mullaney, Wood and Gurney are the bowlers who emerged with credit from yesterdays batting bonanza. Ball has been pretty hopeless since his near miss with England and needs to get back to basics. Was it clairvoyancy by the captain to take off Sam Wood the over before he was to take a pasting or was he going to bowl another 2 overs for 10? Who can tell?
ReplyDeleteAnyway a good win always does wonders for team confidence.
bws
Chris S