v Somerset Specsavers at Trent Bridge

NOTTS RED-FACED, EMBARRASSED BY GALLOPING CIDERMEN

Yesterday I posed the question whether Notts would have the mettle to survive in this game today. The answer was an emphatic NO as Somerset galloped to the easiest of victories shortly before tea as Notts raised the White Flag.

The batting in the morning, Libby being the notable exception, was characterised by the fear of failure as the Notts batsman clearly lacking confidence with the red ball stuff made a day 4 pitch look like a minefield.

It was slow going early doors Notts scoring a paltry 16 runs off 35 minutes. Brendan Taylor then fell leg before to one that kept low from Allenby, Taylor out for 28 off 84 balls with five fours, 74 for three in the 36th over. In Allenby's next over Wessels was caught at first slip by Trescothick for a six ball duck, a very easy catch. Libby's fine innings a shining beacon amongst the dross came to an end when he played on to Overton for 44 off 136 balls with six fours, his innings was relatively untroubled throughout, 86 for 5. The farce continued as Read (9) hit his own wicket playing a hook shot off Gregory, 96 for six. Fletcher lasted four balls before getting his stumps demolished by Gregory for a four ball duck, 98 for seven. Notts got to 100 on the stroke of lunch, they had had a nightmare session adding a paltry 42 runs and losing five wickets. PATHETIC.

Patel and Tahir added 37 but Tahir after hitting Leach for six over long on perished in the same over bowled for seven. Next over Patel gently chipped the ball to square leg to depart for 35. Hutton did not bat due to a broken hand sustained yesterday. Notts 135 all out. Allenby three for 23 and Gregory three for 27.

Notts had clearly given up between the innings only Mullaney and Fletcher turning up for the warm up. The body language was not positive and it was not a surprise to see Somerset chase their target of 100 off 16.5 overs without loss. They were deserved victors having more confidence and desire than their opposition.

What next? Notts now have a month's rest from the championship and now probably need to win the three out of the last five. A huge mountain climb. Two things that would help is more thought given to the preparation of wickets at Trent Bridge, the last two have played into opposition hand's and secondly perhaps more importantly somebody needs to tell the management to give the youngsters a go. They cannot do any worse, Libby for instance should been in from the off this season and Luke Wood should played this fixture, another bagful of wickets today I see. MAG




NOTTS FIGHTBACK ON A DAY DOMINATED BY MARCUS TRESCOTHICK

On another slow day’s cricket where only 251 runs were scored, Notts lead by 21 runs with eight second innings wickets still standing. With the thermometer peaking at 32 degrees C it was certainly hard work for all the players in the unremitting warm sunshine as the majority of the crowd headed for the shade.

Somerset turned the screw in the morning session scoring 102 runs for the loss of night watchman Jack Leach. It was the hottest day of the year and the heat was unrelenting. Leach (1) having been dropped by Mullaney off Tahir then departed caught at the second attempt by Patel at second slip off the leg spinner, 257 for 4. Fletcher then replaced Gurney from the Radcliffe Road End but Notts never really looked like making a breakthrough. Trescothick and Allenby were batting well and took advantage of the bad ball when offered. Notts were also struggling somewhat in the field, the opposition fans laughing at some of their efforts to stop and chase the ball. Notts took the new ball seven overs late with Fletcher (Radcliffe) and Gurney (Pavilion) having first use of it. Gurney was as wayward as ever but carried the most likely threat of taking the wicket. Somerset got to lunch on 346 for four with Trescothick on 162 and Allenby 46.

Notts put out a much better performance in the second session. Gurney generated a chance but Wessels at first slip dropped an easy offering, Allenby on 51 being the lucky batsman. Patel returned from the Radcliffe Road End and with first ball of his spell he bowled Allenby for 63, an innings including nine boundaries, 379 for five. The fifth wicket had added 122 runs in 38 overs. Somerset got to their fifth batting point via a four over square leg by Trescothick off Tahir. In the same over Trego (5) had a rare failure against Notts being smartly caught by Brendan Taylor at short leg as Tahir got his third wicket, 400 for six and Notts had got their second bowling point. Somerset stood at 404 for six at 110 overs. Tahir dismissed Gregory with one that turned and he departed for an eight ball blob, 410 for seven. Trescothick then got to his double ton off 323 balls with a four off Patel. Overton never looked settled against the spinners and Tahir went nap when Overton (5) drove a half volley from Tahir straight to substitute Greg Smith at extra cover. Smith on for the lame Brett Hutton, Somerset now leading by 25 runs. Somerset got to tea on 436 for eight with Ryan Davies on two and then immovable Trescothick on 217.

The first ball after tea saw Davies try an over ambitious shot to Tahir; instead of ball landing in the Hound Road, he edged the ball to Mullaney at first slip.Trescothick's chanceless innings finally ended when Taylor caught him at extra cover off Tahir for 218. Trescothick had faced 355 balls with 32 fours and one six. It was a magnificent innings requiring great concentration. Tahir’s hard toil resulted in figures of 36.4-7-112-7, Somerset 437 all out, led by 36 runs. Notts had fought back well removing the last five wickets for 37 runs in 20 overs. Not since the days of Stuart MacGill has a Notts overseas bowler taken so many wickets in an innings.

Notts went out to bat with a minimum of 25 overs left in the day. Mullaney and Libby got off to a steady start but inevitably they could not bat out the deficit as in the ninth over Mullaney was leg before for 11, the delivery from Craig Overton keeping low, 20 for one. It got worse as in the next over Lumb lost his middle stump to Allenby with a 4 ball duck to his name, a poor match for the left hander. Overton bowling as fast as Gurney but with far greater accuracy had Brendan Taylor (22no) in a spot of bother; surviving more than one leg before shout but somehow he survived to the close with the composed and impressive Libby (24 no), Notts got to stumps on 58 for 2 off 26 overs. There are some signs of the wicket deteriorating in the hot sun, with low bounce from the Radcliffe Road End, Notts will have to bat deep in to the second session tomorrow to save the game. Have they got the mettle to do so? MAG



TRESCOTHICK LEADS SOMERSET FIGHTBACK

AS NOTTS LOSE THEIR WAY



Notts lost the initiative on day two failing to build on the foundations laid on day one. After losing their last six wickets for 90 today they then bowled poorly in the middle session trying to blast Somerset out on the easy paced wicket. They fought back slightly in the last session as Somerset closed on 244 for three, Notts leading by 157 runs.

It was very much Somerset's morning as Notts accumulated 85 runs and lost four wickets in 32 overs that were bowled. Mullaney added four runs to his overnight total when in the third over he hung his bat out to dry and edged Overton to Davies. His 165 equalled his career best score made for Lancashire against Durham UCCE in 2007. Notts 316 for five. Four overs later, Patel played his trademark loose shot to be caught by Hildreth at square leg for 16, Overton the bowler once more. Notts 336 for six. Notts got their fourth batting point with five balls to spare via a leg glance for four by Fletcher off Gregory. Fletcher's 98 ball vigil ended when he was leg before to Allenby for 32; he had shown more application than a few of his batting collegues. The seventh wicket had added 41 in 18 overs. It got worse as the very next ball Leach had Read leg before for 15, 377 for eight. The slow left armer was now getting a few balls to turn. Hutton five not out and Tahir 14 not out saw Notts to lunch on 396 for eight.

In the third over after lunch Overton got one to lift and Hutton edged him to Davies for nine. Gurney lasted two balls departing in identikit fashion. Notts 401 all out, a disappointing effort having added 196 for the opening wicket. The total was probably at least 50 under par. Somerset having set defensive fields had bowled to a plan as Overton finished with 4 for 54 off 25.3 a fine effort given the intense heat and Leach 36 overs three for 120. Allenby had two for 44 off 22 overs.

Somerset got off to a brisk start as Fletcher and Gurney could not quite get it together. Fletcher bowling from the Radcliffe Road End improved and thought he had Trescothick caught behind when on 20, but despite an audible click umpire O'Shaughnessy finger remained in his pocket. Hutton replaced Gurney for the tenth over and 50 partnership between Myburgh and Trescothick was achieved in the next over. Gurney switched ends to the Radcliffe Road and Brett Hutton came on. Unfortunately the bowling was mixed at best and lacked direction and the fields far too attacking, a complete contrast to Somerset's effort and Notts paid the price. The 100 partnership came up in the 21st over via a leg side delivery from Gurney that Trescothick caressed to the square leg boundary. With the score on 107 for no loss after 21 overs, Tahir was belated introduced from the Pavilion End. His first ball was hit for four through extra cover by Myburgh who brought up his 50. Trescothick then got to his 50 in the next over from Gurney. But Tahir made the breakthrough in the following over making one to turn sharply and remove Myburgh’s off stump for 54, 123 for one. Eight more runs were added before tea as Somerset were 131 for one with Trescothick on 61 and Rogers on 2.

Fletcher returned from the Radcliffe Road End after tea and thought he had Trescothick caught behind when on 74; once again O'Shaughnessy refused the appeal. Tahir was proving expensive from the Pavilion End and was replaced by Hutton. Mullaney then replaced him. Trescothick got to his first ever ton at ton at Trent Bridge off 122 balls. Luke Fletcher provided some entertainment when ripping his trousers during a successful ball chase towards the Clarke Stand. After several unsuccessful attempts by Notts the ball was finally replaced by the umpires and it changed the dynamic of the game. Tahir proved expensive from the Radcliffe Road End and Gurney replaced him and with his first ball had Rogers (48) was strangled down the leg side as Read took the catch. The second wicket had added 101 runs in 25 overs. Trescothick on 108 was lucky to survive a fast edge off Tahir that went between Read and first slip Mullaney. Then next over Hildreth on one edged Gurney but Wessels could not cling on to the hard chance at first slip. Gurney got his revenge when Hildreth shouldered arms and was bowled for five, 234 for three. Night watchman Jack Leach joined Trescothick and they survived the final six overs as Somerset closed on 244 for three with Trescothick on 117 and Leach on one. The wicket is still playing well but with the oppressive heat the wicket could still crack up with still two days to go. Somerset have no tail to speak of and they would now expect to get a lead in this fixture. A defeat for Notts in this fixture would be nothing short of a disaster...... MAG

MULLANEY'S BEST SHOW ON A GRINDING DAY

On a slow day Notts closed on 311 for four. Steven Mullaney was the undoubted star of the day with a championship best 161 not out with 23 fours and two sixes. 

The pitch though was once again disappointing slow and low which given the desperation for a positive result going into the game seemed a little bizarre. With humid conditions expected over the last couple of days Luke Wood perhaps should be disappointed not making the final eleven, Luke Fletcher who needs bounce to be effective was preferred by the team management.

Notts won the toss and elected to bat, the pitch being right on the Bridgford Road side of the square. Notts brought back Chris Read and Luke Fletcher as Broad and Smith dropped out from the eleven who drew with Lancashire. Somerset meanwhile were without the injured Jamie Overton.

Notts made slow and steady progress in warm sunshine. Libby, who got a golden duck for Hucknall yesterday took 35 minutes and 27 balls to get off the mark and the batsman did not change ends until 54 minutes had been played. Somerset's bowling lacked direction and penetration and both Mullaney and Libby made relatively untroubled progress Visiting captain Chris Rogers shuffled his bowling pack around, Gregory being particularly expensive as his five overs went for 32, as six bowlers were utilised in the first session. Jack Leach's slow left armer were introduced from the Pavilion End and his first over went for 15. Libby hitting him for two fours and then Mullaney hitting him for a six. Mullaney reached his fifty off 89 balls and Notts got to 100 as he hit Groenewald for four. Notts went to the break on 101 without loss with Mullaney on 53 and Libby on 41.

The run accumulation carried on well into the afternoon session, Notts adding 105 runs for the loss of just Libby. Despite the constant encouragement from Tractor Man sitting in the Clarke Stand, Somerset although bowling more accurately were struggling to make a breakthrough. Then with four overs to go to tea, Libby guided Groenewald straight to Allenby in the gulley. LIbby having taken full advantage of a vacant third man position had made 90 off 202 balls with 13 fours. The opening partnership had added 196 runs in 60 overs to set up the perfect platform for Notts. Mullaney got to his ton in the grandest manner with Mullaney hitting Leach straight over his head. Mullaney reached his 100 off 171 balls with 16 fours and two sixes. Notts 206 for 1 off 64 overs at tea Mullaney on 105 and Lumb on 1.

The serene progress continued after tea, Lumb cut Leach for four but next ball he tried the same and edged Leach into Ryan Davies’ gloves to depart for 10, 231 for two. Mullaney was badly dropped by Trescothick at first slip off Craig Overton whilst on 140. Somerset did not immediately take the new ball as Mullaney got to his 150 off 252 balls with a single off Leach. Next ball Brendan Taylor played a poor shot to be caught at mid on by Craig Overton as the left arm spinner picked up his second wicket in his 26th over. The third wicket had added 64 off 16 overs. Somerset then immediately took the new ball with eight overs remaining in the day. Notts got to 300 in the 90th over. Wessels having a poor championship season was then leg before just before the close to Jim Allenby for three. The Bulwell Bomber survived the final two overs unscathed with a single to his name. Mullaney had shown great concentration to bat the day out in the searing heat on the hottest day of the summer facing 273 balls. Notts though need to add another 200, the short Bridgford Road boundary was hardly utilised today and I suspect Somerset will make greater use of it. With the boiling conditions one hopes the pitch will start to crack and Tahir can then get to work. It will be hard work though Somerset bat deep and playing Notts seems to more often than not bring the best out of them. MAG