v Derbyshire Falcons RLODC at Welbeck CC

WESSELS WOWS WELBECK

In front of a crowd of 4649 Notts comfortably beat Derbyshire by 65 runs at Welbeck this afternoon. 

An outstanding innings of 114 from Riki Wessels set up the platform and then a rapid 59 off 39 balls from Chris Read took the game away from Derbyshire. Like last year the Welbeck CC had made a great effort and were rewarded with a large crowd who witnessed an entertaining day where 615 runs were scored in 95 overs with 19 sixes struck.

Derbyshire with Dominic Cork helping out on an advisory capacity won the toss and inserted Notts who welcomed back Luke Fletcher. Notts got off to a slow start against the opening attack of Cotton and Palladino. Only 17 runs came off the first eight overs.

Fifteen runs came off the tenth over bowled by Palladino with Wessels hitting 6,4,4 off successive deliveries. Thakor replaced Cotton from the Scoreboard End after three dot balls Lumb hit him for four but he was caught at point by Madsen off the next ball for 15, 42 for one. Off the first ball of his next over Thakor had Smith (1) caught behind by Hosein standing up, 48 for two in the 13th over. 

Taylor joined Wessels and scoring rate rapidly increased as the pair added 122 runs in 13 overs. Wessels accelerated after a slow start getting to his 50 off 57 balls with a four off Thakor during the nineteenth over. He got his second 50 in just 23 balls and celebrated his ton with a four off Palladino, the former Essex man then got hit for a six and four by Wessels as Notts got to half way point of their innings on 169 for two, and a heading for a huge total. In the next over Wessels reverse swept leg spinner Critchley and was caught at backward point by Ben Cotton. His 114 was made off 85 balls off seventeen fours and four sixes. It was a brilliant effort, it is such an enigma that he is struggling do much this season in the championship when he see him bat like this, Notts 170 for three. Brendan Taylor (44 off 38 balls) who played a risky innings full of aerial shots fell in the the next over caught at long on by Madsen off Durston, 177 for four. The morning sunshine had now been replaced with heavy cloud, light rain began to fall. Samit Patel was caught at long leg by Palladino off Cotton for 31; the fifth wicket partnership with Christian had added 54 in 11 overs. Things got worse in next over as Christian fell plumb leg before to Alex Hughes for 28, 236 for six after 39 overs. Notts were losing their way.

Mullaney and Read consolidated at first only adding 19 in five overs. Hughes then went for 11 runs to finish with 8-0-57-1. Read then hit Palladino (10-0-64-0) for a huge six over the hedges at square leg. In the next over Madsen dropped a costly catch at long on off Cotton as Read was given a life on 24. Cotton's over cost 16 runs including 6 and 4 from Read. The captain got his 50 in 35 balls off Thakor. Mullaney hit Cotton for three successive sixes in his next over as Derby’s bowling became ragged. Read hit Thakor for 6 over square leg, but was bowled next ball making acres of room for 59 (including three sixes). The seventh wicket had added 97 runs in 10.3 overs. Local hero Jake Ball was promoted up the order and hit Thakor for a huge straight six. Notts closing on 340 for seven with 13 sixes hit. Derbyshire's bowling had been unthreatening and their fielding could be best described as poor. Thakor's eight overs cost 78 runs but he did pick up three wickets.



Ball (Scoreboard) and Gurney (Marque) opened the bowling and Derby made a steady start. In the eighth over Wes Durston top edged Gurney and was caught at square leg by Mullaney to depart for six, 32 for one. Derby reached 55 for one after 10 overs. Fletcher and Christian came on. Slater reached his 50 off 38 balls with four through extra cover off Fletcher but next ball he edged him as Read took the catch. Slater gone for 51, 72 for two.

Danger man Madsen (8) was then caught on the mid wicket ropes by Brendan Taylor as Christian picked up the wicket. In the next over, Rutherford was caught behind off Fletcher (8-1-52-2) for 26. Derbyshire in a pickle now on 103 for four after 17 overs. Thakor joined Kiwi Broom and they added 47 in 10 overs as Mullaney (Scoreboard) and Patel (Marque) were bowling in tandem. Thakor then had his off stump removed by Mullaney for 29. In his next over Mullaney had Broom (25) caught at mid wicket by Jake Ball, 159 for six in the 29th over. Hughes was the next one to go leg before to Samit Patel for 14, 179 for seven. Critchley who had a good game added 63 in 8 overs with young keeper Hosein, a partnership full of improvised shots. Mullaney ninth and as it turned out to be last over went for 22 as the young leg spinner hit him for a six and three fours. Gurney returned from the Marque End and Critchley was caught at deep mid wicket by Ball for 43 off 35 balls with three fours and three sixes. The end was nigh as Ball returned from the Scoreboard End and with his first ball Hosein hit him straight to Christian at extra cover for 40. Gurney then finished the game in the next over as Palladino skied the ball and Gurney took the catch off his own bowling. Derbyshire 275 all out and well beaten. Notts now lie second in the Northern Section with Wednesday opponents Yorkshire above them. The game at Scarborough should be equally well attended. MAG