v Surrey Specsavers at the Oval

HUMILIATING DEFEAT FOR NOTTS 


For the second time in the match, the bulk of Nottinghamshire's multi-talented batsmen were rolled over inside a session. Eight post-lunch wickets saw Notts bowled out for 157, a 228 run defeat. It was Batty yesterday as chief destroyer, but today it was Zafar Ansari with 6/36.

Just to remind everyone, Samit Patel (our left arm spinner) on the same wicket in the match had figures of 33.3-7-103-4. Inexperienced Matt Carter had 32-4-119-1, but it would be harsh to apportion blame in his direction.

Perhaps Samit Patel bowled well enough, I'm in no position to judge as I wasn't there, but if he did, it makes our batsmen on paper look totally inept.

The ability to dig-in has been lost. Steven Mullaney in past seasons has been able to hang around without scoring but in reality that grit and stubbornness has been missing from Nottinghamshire elevens for perhaps a decade and it appears not to be a problem for the coaching staff. They might say that the loss of James Taylor is the cause, but he'd have been playing in the recent ODI so not in this game anyway.

The basic truths are: 

• Notts as a rule can't play spin.
• Notts batsmen 1 to 11 don't value their own wicket nearly as much as they should.
• Nottinghamshire batsmen can't bat for time.
• The lack of a front line spinner since Graeme Swann left for pastures greener has, and is costing Notts games. The arrival of Irman Tahir, if he's fit, can't come soon enough.
• The tail is too long and too brittle, it's like a cryogenically preserved snake.

What's up with Riki Wessels? Should he be relieved of the keeping duties to concentrate on his batting?


Samit managed 23 minutes in total at the crease in this game and with Riki is the best against spin that we have. There lies the problem in this game perhaps.


The Twitter cries for blood or the head of the D of C will only increase after today's pathetic display.
NOTTS GET A BATTY-ING

Nottinghamshire tumbled from 82-2 to 182 all out in the morning session of day three at the Oval.


Notts fickle batting again handing their opponents the initiative with a series of flamboyant failures and communicationally-challenged running between wickets, Samit Patel again in the thick of it.
Some batsmen fell victim to an occasional turning bowl from Gareth Batty 4/23., but that menace has since left the scene as Surrey built what looks to be an unassailable position of dominance.

In a late push for quick runs to set an improbable target, wickets fell belatedly but at stumps the Brown Caps had a lead of 385, on 244-5 Bert 3/61

NOTTS START REPLY AFTER LOST SESSIONS

After heavy rain hit the capital Sunday night and Monday morning, play was possible until 4.15 on Day 2.

Notts completed the Surrey innings for the addition of 24 runs. Jake Ball the pick of the bowlers 4/85.

By the close of play, Notts had made inroads into the run deficit at 82-2, losing Steven Mullaney 34 and Jake Libby 10.

Photos of Day 1 on Facebook - follow the links to view

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE TEAM EFFORT PEGS SURREY BACK AS BOTH COUNTIES HAVE UP AND DOWN DAYS

Surrey closed on 299 for eight on a topsy turvy day for both teams at The Oval. Surrey went from 91 for one to 172 for six, but recovered thanks to a seventh wicket stand of 112 between Steve Davies and Tom Curran, both batsman then  departing to successive balls. 

Jake Ball was undoubtedly the best bowler on display and deserved more than the three wickets he collected. his rhythm missing over the last few games returned today. The crowd probably numbered around 2,000 and they enjoyed an intriguing day's cricket.

On a sunny morning Surrey won the toss and decided to bat. With Jackson Bird temporarily deregistered Dan Christian came in. Luke Fletcher was also omitted for Matthew Carter making only his second championship appearance. Ball (Vauxhall) and Gurney (Pavilion) opened up. In the seventh over Harinath on 12 was dropped at first slip above his head by Dan Christian off Jake Ball. Christian's place at slip was taken over shortly afterwards by Carter. Next over Ball induced Rory Burns (4) to edge to Wessels behind the stumps, 18 for one. Sangakkara survived a confident leg before shout early doors, Gurney the bowler. Mullaney shuffled his bowling pack as Ball switched ends to replace Gurney who opened up with an eight over spell. Hutton came on the Vauxhall End. Carter was then introduced in the 24th over bowling from the Pavilion End as Harinath got to his 50 with a four square of the wicket. After two overs for 14 Carter switched ends and was replaced by Mullaney. The dibbler dobbler proved a golden arm once more bowling Sangakkara in his second over for 29, 91 for two. Wilson was lucky to survive a ball that turned from Carter which went for four byes. Surrey got to the lunch on 98 for two.with Harinath on 53 and Wilson on 2; it had been their morning. Ball was the most impressive bowler on show getting plenty of pace and bounce.

Gary Wilson (2) top edged a sweep shot off the second ball after lunch and he was caught at short fine leg by Harry Gurney, 98 for three off the bowling of Matt Carter. After an eight over spell from the Vauxhall End Carter was replaced by Patel. In his second over, Harinath hit Patel for four but Patel got him caught behind next ball. The left hander out for 73, 137 for four. In the next over, Gurney had Ansari leg before to a well pitched up ball to depart for a four ball duck, 138 for five. Foakes hit a quickfire 22 but playing an ugly swipe at Ball nicked-it and Wessels took his third catch of the innings, 172 for six. Surrey got to tea on 203 for six with Davies on 42 and Tom Curran on 12.

Surrey accelerated after tea as sunshine was replaced with heavy cloud cover, Davies and Curran both putting bat to ball. The new ball was taken on 80 overs and the 100 partnership was brought up in 26 overs. Off the last ball of the 91st over, Ball finally got the wicket his efforts deserved as Curran lost his off stump with 52 to his name. The seventh wicket had added 112 runs. Next ball Hutton not having the best of days had Davies playing on for a well made 82 off 160 balls with eight fours, 284 for eight. Batty and Meaker saw Surrey to the close on 299 for eight. Ball had figures of three for 69, but this could been better; he repeatedly beat the bat. Notts though have to bat last on a wicket likely to take spin later on. Carter and Patel shared 34 overs today taking three wickets. Patel was more accurate of the two but it was good to see Carter finally given a run out a year after his 10 wicket debut in Taunton .He mixed good balls with bad, but he remains a exciting prospect. Rain is expected tomorrow morning with it clearing later on the day. MAG

No Bird as Christian returns on Sunday


The stated rule is that only two overseas players can be registered at one time. Currently it's Russell and Christian; where Bird's registration has flown to........ who knows, perhaps this round was never one of the 10 matches we we threatened with.

The starting eleven:

Steven Mullaney (c), Jake Ball, Matthew Carter, Dan Christian, Harry Gurney, Brett Hutton, Jake Libby, Michael Lumb, Samit Patel, Brendan Taylor and Riki Wessels.

Fletch remains out of favour as Matt Carter plays his second game in two years; Jake Libby holds his position in Alex Hales absence as does Brendan Taylor.