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From Tahir to eternity
After a marathon 134 over bowling effort from the home side as expected this match ended in a draw with Lancashire 304 for seven when the players shook hands at 1740 with 11 overs remaining and Lancashire 106 runs ahead.
The wicket offered the bowlers next to nothing and got increasing slower and unresponsive. Imran Tahir bowled 45 overs in the innings for a single victim but the wicket never offered him any turn or bounce. With Notts desperate for victories it does seem somewhat perverse that such a turgid wicket was prepared. Although in mitigation the continuous rain over the weeks leading up to this fixture probably did not help matters. Lancashire though showed huge mental strength to save the game and 19 year old opener Haseeb Hameed led the way batting for 96.4 overs without offering the bowlers a chance. How Notts must wish they produce young batsman like him.
Play started in bright sunshine but the wicket was still very slow; so turgid that Wessels was standing up to Broad. On the stroke of Noon a wicket finally fell as Tom Smith edged Harry Gurney low to Mullaney at first slip who took an easy catch. Smith had followed up his 70 in the first innings with 71 in the second. The opening stand had added 151 but more crucially had taken up 63.5 overs. This proved to be a false dawn as Lancashire carried on their serene progress as just on the stroke of lunch Lancashire took the lead and then two balls later Hameed got to his ton off 237 balls with 15 fours. An innings of great concentration and a fine example of batting out time; something that is probably beyond any of current Notts line up now James Taylor has now retired. Lancashire 206 for one at lunch off 80 overs with Hameed on 103 and Procter on 13.
The morning sunshine had now been replaced by a cloudy sky. The new ball was taken straight after lunch by Gurney (Radcliffe) and Broad (Pavilion) and in the sixth over with it Broad had Procter leg before for 13, 209 for two. Next ball, Petersen hit Broad for four but two balls later he shouldered arms and lost his middle stump, 213 for three. Hutton replaced Gurney after an eight over spell with the new ball. And with his fourth ball induced Hameed to edge to Wessels. Hameed's marathon effort had saved the game for Lancashire his 122 came off 284 balls with seventeen fours. Lancashire 231 for four. Tahir replaced Broad who had bowled eight overs three maidens two for 13 with the new ball. In Hutton's next over Livingstone (2) drove straight to Lumb at mid on, 233 for five. Lancashire added a further 16 runs before tea.
Tahir and Broad were back in tandem after tea. Brendan Taylor took smart one handed catch to his left at short leg to remove Brown (12) as Tahir picked up his first wicket of the innings in his 35th over, 261 for six. However it took Notts another 18.4 overs to take another wicket as Clark played on to Gurney for 11, 287 for 7. That was the last wicket to fall as Croft proved an immovable object with 34 not out off 141 balls. Notts stuck manfully to their task with no chances missed in the field. They take 13 points from this fixture, still requiring three wins to secure their first division survival. Notts still lie seventh in the table having played more games than any other team in the division.MAG
LANCASHIRE OPENERS FRUSTRATE
This game seems destined for a draw as Lancashire trial by 70 runs with all their second innings wicket standing.
The wicket has got slower and slower throughout the game so barring a miracle spell form either Broad or Tahir tomorrow; Lancashire should easily save the game. Such a shame after Notts had fought hard to get a huge lead with all the batsman contributing.
Play commenced in sunshine but run scoring was slow only 33 runs coming up the first hour. Patel then got the thinnest of edges off Smith as keeper Croft took the catch, Notts 346 for six. Patel out for 67 off 121 balls with ten fours. The partnership had added an invaluable 105 in 34 overs. Wessels tried to force the pace but fell to catch at first slip as Smith bowling from the Pavilion End picked up another wicket. Notts 369 for seven, Wessels out for 62 off 131 balls with nine fours. Notts needed unlikely 31 off 21 balls to get the fifth batting point but Broad went on the attack. Notts stood on 380 for seven after 108 overs but Smith was then taken for 12. Leg spinner Parkinson came on for over 110 and Notts got the point with a ball to spare. Broad was hitting the ball on the slow surface better than anybody. It had very much Notts morning as they got go lunch on 416 for seven on Broad on 36 and Hutton on 19.
A further 30 runs were added between the pair in 25 minutes after lunch. Parkinson returned from the Radcliffe Road End and bowled Broad with his first ball of a new spell. Hutton and Broad had added 79 in 15 overs. Broad had given the innings vital acceleration his 46 coming off 60 balls with seven fours. Wagner dug one in short to Tahir (7) who edged to Livingstone who took the catch running back to short third man, 459 for nine. Notts got to 474 all out with Hutton (46 - 60 balls with six boundaries) being bowled via a Yorker from the persistent Wagner. Gurney 12 not out including two fours off Parkinson. Notts had a massive lead of 198 on first innings. The runs were spread out throughout the Notts innings with Patel top scorer with 67. Wagner the scourged of Notts at Old Trafford had three for 107 off 33.1 overs.
Lancashire had 17 overs to bat until tea. Disaster struck when Wessels hurt his hand going for a leg side stop off Broad who opted to bowl from Radcliffe Road End. After a five minute stoppage play resumed but Wessels left the field shortly afterwards with Taylor taking over the gloves. Tahir replaced Broad in the ninth over. Hameed and Smith made untroubled progress as Lancashire got to 50 without loss at teatime.
Wessels returned behind the sticks after tea. Patel (Radcliffe) and Hutton (Pavilion) were now bowling in tandem, but a wicket did not look imminent. Broad replaced Hutton but only lasted three overs, Mullaney replaced him. Tahir came on from the Radcliffe Road End and then was superseded by Gurney. It was stalemate the pitch was getting slower and slower. Even Libby's off spinners were tried as Mullaney to his credit kept shuffling his bowling pack around. Lancashire were 128 for 0 at the close with Hameed on 58 and Smith on 66. Both innings were chanceless. A soporific day appears to be on the menu for tomorrow, or will there be a dramatic twist..... MAG
TAHIR INSPIRES NOTTS ON A GRAFTING DAY
On a day where 8.2 overs were lost due to bad light, Notts led by 27 runs with five first innings wicket still standing in this crucial fixture.
On a good cricket wicket, all the batsman got in but the top scoring batsman was Jake Libby with 54. It was very much a day for grafting. Notts will be hoping to get a lead of 100 runs to put pressure on Lancashire. With the wicket exhibiting some uneven bounce they would expect Broad and Tahir to take wickets.
Lancashire batted for 11 balls this morning adding three runs. Tahir removing Parkinson leg before for three. Lancashire 276 all out. Tahir four for 81. The arrival of the enthusiastic leg spinner has been a breath of fresh air when compared against the disappointing Jackson Bird,
Notts got off to a brisk start Wagner bowling from Pavilion End straying too much on leg stump. Mullaney and Libby were batting positively and the running between the wickets was excellent, the 50 partnership being achieved in the eleventh over. Mullaney on 33 had a very lucky escape off Jarvis who had replaced Wagner; he played a dreadful shot pulling the ball straight to Matthew Parkinson at deep square leg who spilled an easy chance. Next Ball Libby edged through slip but luckily between fielders. Mullaney though did not make much of his luck playing on to his stumps in Jarvis' next over for 43 an innings including nine fours, 86 for one in the 19th over. Libby got to his half ton in the last over before lunch; coming off 68 balls with five fours. Notts went to lunch on 124 for one off 29 overs (Libby 54 not out, Smith 15 not out). Michael Lumb after a successful June in limited overs cricket was named player of the month at lunchtime.
Ten minutes after lunch Libby played down the wrong line to Wagner bowling from the Radcliffe Road End and was caught behind by Croft for 54, 124 for two. Fifteen minutes later Smith having hit a long hop for four through deep square leg fell leg before next ball to Jarvis for 30. Smith hit a great straight drive for four off his namesake Tom Smith but once again he was unconvincing with most of his runs through gulley and third man. Notts 136 for three. Lumb and Taylor added a valuable 74 in 24 overs. Taylor hit leg spinner Matthew Parkinson for two straight sixes which both hit the Radcliffe Road sight screen. Just before tea, Clark bowled a short ball at Taylor which surprised him and the ball close to his body he ended up top edging him to Smith in the gulley. Taylor gone for 37 off 85 balls with three fours and two sixes. Notts were 212 for four at tea with Lumb on 39 and Patel on one.
Notts made steady progress after tea but the light started to deteriorate and the floodlights came on. Almost immediately Lumb was caught and bowled by Clark for 43 (95 balls with three fours), 245 for five. Patel and Wessels added a further 37 runs when bad light stopped play at 1715 with Notts on 282 for five with Patel on 36 and Wessels on 23. The new ball was only five overs away. Play resumed at 1800 hours with four overs lost. Patel and Wessels batted sensibly as the new ball was taken. With the light getting worse once more umpires Saggers and Wharf removed the bails at 1829. Notts 303 for five with Patel on 51 and Wessels on 25. Lancashire's best bowler was Jordan Clark (two for 58) who got pace and bounce out of the wicket from his muscular frame .MAG
NOTTS SALVAGE THE DAY AFTER LANCASHIRE GET-OFF TO A SOLID START
Honours were even at Trent Bridge as Lancashire closed on 273 for nine on a slowish pitch where fluent stroke play was difficult. The visitors though lost the initiative somewhat having been 109 for one at lunch. Notts produced a wholehearted bowling performance in a day of intermittent sunshine with Broad and Tahir both taking three wickets. Gurney bowling with pace was wayward at times but along with Broad took four crucial late wickets with the second new ball. Mr Extras stood 29 aided along with Tahir’s over stepping and Gurney’s lack of consistent direction. Wessels had a good day behind the stumps despite the high bye count which he was not culpable.
Notts were dealt a blow before the start when Chris Read was ruled unfit. However, Notts had a much changed line up, in came Greg Smith, Stuart Broad, Harry Gurney and Imran Tahir and out went Dan Christian, Luke Fletcher, Matt Carter and Jake Ball. Ball was officially rested although it had been suggested that England requested his withdrawal from the line up as he could be selected in the First Test match against Pakistan should Anderson not prove his fitness. The visitors top of the table were missing Anderson but won the toss and elected to bat.
Play commenced in sunshine but run scoring was slow only 33 runs coming up the first hour. Patel then got the thinnest of edges off Smith as keeper Croft took the catch, Notts 346 for six. Patel out for 67 off 121 balls with ten fours. The partnership had added an invaluable 105 in 34 overs. Wessels tried to force the pace but fell to catch at first slip as Smith bowling from the Pavilion End picked up another wicket. Notts 369 for seven, Wessels out for 62 off 131 balls with nine fours. Notts needed unlikely 31 off 21 balls to get the fifth batting point but Broad went on the attack. Notts stood on 380 for seven after 108 overs but Smith was then taken for 12. Leg spinner Parkinson came on for over 110 and Notts got the point with a ball to spare. Broad was hitting the ball on the slow surface better than anybody. It had very much Notts morning as they got go lunch on 416 for seven on Broad on 36 and Hutton on 19.
A further 30 runs were added between the pair in 25 minutes after lunch. Parkinson returned from the Radcliffe Road End and bowled Broad with his first ball of a new spell. Hutton and Broad had added 79 in 15 overs. Broad had given the innings vital acceleration his 46 coming off 60 balls with seven fours. Wagner dug one in short to Tahir (7) who edged to Livingstone who took the catch running back to short third man, 459 for nine. Notts got to 474 all out with Hutton (46 - 60 balls with six boundaries) being bowled via a Yorker from the persistent Wagner. Gurney 12 not out including two fours off Parkinson. Notts had a massive lead of 198 on first innings. The runs were spread out throughout the Notts innings with Patel top scorer with 67. Wagner the scourged of Notts at Old Trafford had three for 107 off 33.1 overs.
Lancashire had 17 overs to bat until tea. Disaster struck when Wessels hurt his hand going for a leg side stop off Broad who opted to bowl from Radcliffe Road End. After a five minute stoppage play resumed but Wessels left the field shortly afterwards with Taylor taking over the gloves. Tahir replaced Broad in the ninth over. Hameed and Smith made untroubled progress as Lancashire got to 50 without loss at teatime.
Wessels returned behind the sticks after tea. Patel (Radcliffe) and Hutton (Pavilion) were now bowling in tandem, but a wicket did not look imminent. Broad replaced Hutton but only lasted three overs, Mullaney replaced him. Tahir came on from the Radcliffe Road End and then was superseded by Gurney. It was stalemate the pitch was getting slower and slower. Even Libby's off spinners were tried as Mullaney to his credit kept shuffling his bowling pack around. Lancashire were 128 for 0 at the close with Hameed on 58 and Smith on 66. Both innings were chanceless. A soporific day appears to be on the menu for tomorrow, or will there be a dramatic twist..... MAG
TAHIR INSPIRES NOTTS ON A GRAFTING DAY
On a day where 8.2 overs were lost due to bad light, Notts led by 27 runs with five first innings wicket still standing in this crucial fixture.
On a good cricket wicket, all the batsman got in but the top scoring batsman was Jake Libby with 54. It was very much a day for grafting. Notts will be hoping to get a lead of 100 runs to put pressure on Lancashire. With the wicket exhibiting some uneven bounce they would expect Broad and Tahir to take wickets.
Lancashire batted for 11 balls this morning adding three runs. Tahir removing Parkinson leg before for three. Lancashire 276 all out. Tahir four for 81. The arrival of the enthusiastic leg spinner has been a breath of fresh air when compared against the disappointing Jackson Bird,
Notts got off to a brisk start Wagner bowling from Pavilion End straying too much on leg stump. Mullaney and Libby were batting positively and the running between the wickets was excellent, the 50 partnership being achieved in the eleventh over. Mullaney on 33 had a very lucky escape off Jarvis who had replaced Wagner; he played a dreadful shot pulling the ball straight to Matthew Parkinson at deep square leg who spilled an easy chance. Next Ball Libby edged through slip but luckily between fielders. Mullaney though did not make much of his luck playing on to his stumps in Jarvis' next over for 43 an innings including nine fours, 86 for one in the 19th over. Libby got to his half ton in the last over before lunch; coming off 68 balls with five fours. Notts went to lunch on 124 for one off 29 overs (Libby 54 not out, Smith 15 not out). Michael Lumb after a successful June in limited overs cricket was named player of the month at lunchtime.
Ten minutes after lunch Libby played down the wrong line to Wagner bowling from the Radcliffe Road End and was caught behind by Croft for 54, 124 for two. Fifteen minutes later Smith having hit a long hop for four through deep square leg fell leg before next ball to Jarvis for 30. Smith hit a great straight drive for four off his namesake Tom Smith but once again he was unconvincing with most of his runs through gulley and third man. Notts 136 for three. Lumb and Taylor added a valuable 74 in 24 overs. Taylor hit leg spinner Matthew Parkinson for two straight sixes which both hit the Radcliffe Road sight screen. Just before tea, Clark bowled a short ball at Taylor which surprised him and the ball close to his body he ended up top edging him to Smith in the gulley. Taylor gone for 37 off 85 balls with three fours and two sixes. Notts were 212 for four at tea with Lumb on 39 and Patel on one.
Notts made steady progress after tea but the light started to deteriorate and the floodlights came on. Almost immediately Lumb was caught and bowled by Clark for 43 (95 balls with three fours), 245 for five. Patel and Wessels added a further 37 runs when bad light stopped play at 1715 with Notts on 282 for five with Patel on 36 and Wessels on 23. The new ball was only five overs away. Play resumed at 1800 hours with four overs lost. Patel and Wessels batted sensibly as the new ball was taken. With the light getting worse once more umpires Saggers and Wharf removed the bails at 1829. Notts 303 for five with Patel on 51 and Wessels on 25. Lancashire's best bowler was Jordan Clark (two for 58) who got pace and bounce out of the wicket from his muscular frame .MAG
NOTTS SALVAGE THE DAY AFTER LANCASHIRE GET-OFF TO A SOLID START
Notts were dealt a blow before the start when Chris Read was ruled unfit. However, Notts had a much changed line up, in came Greg Smith, Stuart Broad, Harry Gurney and Imran Tahir and out went Dan Christian, Luke Fletcher, Matt Carter and Jake Ball. Ball was officially rested although it had been suggested that England requested his withdrawal from the line up as he could be selected in the First Test match against Pakistan should Anderson not prove his fitness. The visitors top of the table were missing Anderson but won the toss and elected to bat.
Broad bowled a testing eight over spell from the Pavilion End where he often beat the bat but crucially he did find the edge. Openers Hameed and Smith rode the storm as Gurney was replaced after his five over spell by Hutton; the left armer switched ends and replaced Broad. Finally in the sixteenth Brett Hutton got the breakthrough Hameed edging a ball onto his pad that ballooned to Lumb in the gulley. The young opener gone for 16, Lancashire 34 for one. Hutton later appeared to be hampered by an ankle injury and only bowled eight overs in the innings.
Procter rode his luck early doors at Hutton found his edge a few times, but Lancashire were now putting runs on the board. Tom Smith was dropped on 28 at first slip by Brendan Taylor off Hutton. ImranTahir went for four through backward square off his first ball, a no ball. He overstepped the next ball too and bowled a disappointing five over spell that went for 27 before lunch. He was much better later on in the day. Lancashire got to the interval on 109 for one off 32 overs with Tom Smith on 40 and Procter on 45, it had been very much Lancashire's morning.
Notts had a better second session as Lancashire added 83 runs whilst losing three wickets. Ten minutes after lunch Procter played a dreadful cross batted shot and was bowled by Tahir for 48. The second wicket had added 84 runs, 118 for two. Petersen survived a confident leg before shout from Broad; umpire Wharf turning down the appeal. Next over Petersen (11) edged a leg side ball from Broad and Wessels took an excellent catch diving to his left, 133 for three. Tahir was having a long bowl from the Radcliffe Road End although not getting much turn he removed Croft leg before for nine,154 for four. Hutton and Gurney came on but the pressure was relieved slightly as one "four ball" an over was bowled. Patel replaced Hutton from the Radcliffe Road End and was unlucky not to remove Smith on 69, the left hander surviving a confident leg before decision. Lancashire got to the break on 192 for 4 with Smith on 69 and Brown on 22.
Broad and Tahir returned after tea. Tom Smith was getting bogged down, he danced down the pitch to a wrong-un from the leg spinner and failed to make contact, Wessels removed the bails. Tom Smith out for 70 an innings of great concentration lasting 200 balls with nine fours. Gurney (Pavilion) and Broad (Radcliffe) took the new ball. In The third over with the new cherry Gurney got one to lift and Karl Brown (36) edged him into Wessels gloves, 239 for six. Three balls later off the last ball of Gurney's over Jordan Clark survived a confident caught behind decision, Wharf turning down the appeal. Five overs later Notts got Clark (1) as an attempted pull shot of Broad led to a leading edge and the bowler took the catch, 250 for seven. A fast short ball from Gurney hit Wagner on the head the ball then ricocheted on to the stumps removing a bail. Wagner gone for a duck, 251 for eight. Next over Livingstone (33) went to pull a ball from Broad but he topped edged it to Patel who took the catch at point; not the easiest of chances as the ball was swirling, 253 for nine. The last wicket pair of Jarvis and Parkinson added an unbroken 20 runs in the last six overs of the day. Broad was the pick of the bowlers with three for 50 off 25 overs, a bowling effort that Richard Hadlee on his 65thbirthday would have been well pleased with. Tahir on a wicket offering no assistance got over his pre-lunch blues to finish with three for 81 off 27 overs. MAG
Notts had a better second session as Lancashire added 83 runs whilst losing three wickets. Ten minutes after lunch Procter played a dreadful cross batted shot and was bowled by Tahir for 48. The second wicket had added 84 runs, 118 for two. Petersen survived a confident leg before shout from Broad; umpire Wharf turning down the appeal. Next over Petersen (11) edged a leg side ball from Broad and Wessels took an excellent catch diving to his left, 133 for three. Tahir was having a long bowl from the Radcliffe Road End although not getting much turn he removed Croft leg before for nine,154 for four. Hutton and Gurney came on but the pressure was relieved slightly as one "four ball" an over was bowled. Patel replaced Hutton from the Radcliffe Road End and was unlucky not to remove Smith on 69, the left hander surviving a confident leg before decision. Lancashire got to the break on 192 for 4 with Smith on 69 and Brown on 22.
Broad and Tahir returned after tea. Tom Smith was getting bogged down, he danced down the pitch to a wrong-un from the leg spinner and failed to make contact, Wessels removed the bails. Tom Smith out for 70 an innings of great concentration lasting 200 balls with nine fours. Gurney (Pavilion) and Broad (Radcliffe) took the new ball. In The third over with the new cherry Gurney got one to lift and Karl Brown (36) edged him into Wessels gloves, 239 for six. Three balls later off the last ball of Gurney's over Jordan Clark survived a confident caught behind decision, Wharf turning down the appeal. Five overs later Notts got Clark (1) as an attempted pull shot of Broad led to a leading edge and the bowler took the catch, 250 for seven. A fast short ball from Gurney hit Wagner on the head the ball then ricocheted on to the stumps removing a bail. Wagner gone for a duck, 251 for eight. Next over Livingstone (33) went to pull a ball from Broad but he topped edged it to Patel who took the catch at point; not the easiest of chances as the ball was swirling, 253 for nine. The last wicket pair of Jarvis and Parkinson added an unbroken 20 runs in the last six overs of the day. Broad was the pick of the bowlers with three for 50 off 25 overs, a bowling effort that Richard Hadlee on his 65thbirthday would have been well pleased with. Tahir on a wicket offering no assistance got over his pre-lunch blues to finish with three for 81 off 27 overs. MAG
Notts Prem
ReplyDeleteBen Kitt 6-2-22-3 (Clifton Village's top 3)