Derbyshire CC2 at Trent Bridge

NOTTS STEAL A DRAW


as poor light and rain restrict Derbyshire's rush for a win

Derbyshire were denied a thoroughly deserved victory when rain stopped play at 1804 with them needing 26 runs off eight overs. They are now winless in 27 championship matches. 

Notts offered feeble resistance with the bat this afternoon, not supporting a fine innings from their captain. Derbyshire needed 216 off 49 overs a run rate of 4.4, but with rain around, there was a good chance of overs being lost. Notts did not help themselves by setting over attacking fields early on giving Derby easy runs. Luke Fletcher bowled outstandingly but lacked support from the rest of his bowling colleagues. Notts must put this indifferent performance behind them. Hopefully Jimmy Pattinson returns for the Leicester and Kent games and that Jake Ball also sees more Green and Gold championship action. Derbyshire out bowled Notts throughout this fixture. Notts lacked a cutting edge. It now appears that we need to find an overseas bowler rather than a batter to replace Pattinson from July onwards.

Play started at 1345 with 33 overs lost. It did not take Derby long to pick up the seventh wicket with Hutton falling in the third over of the day. A well pitched up delivery from Tom Taylor bowling him for 11, 321 for seven. Shortly afterwards Read got two through point to reach 50 off 60 balls. Wood lasted five balls when he fell for the short ball from Taylor and hooked it straight down the throat of long leg Alex Hughes. Taylor now had three wickets in the innings, Wood left with a duck to his name, 325 for eight. Fletcher lasted 10 balls before falling leg before toTaylor for one, 326 for nine. Read and Gurney added 23 runs before a truly awful shot from Gurney saw him caught for a duck off a long hop from Mendis at backward point. Read left stranded on a fine 74 not out off 86 balls (8 x 4; 2 x 6). The man is simply irreplaceable. Notts 349 all out having lasted a paltry 69 balls today.

Derbyshire required 216 to win off 49 overs. In the seventh over a poor drive by Luis Reece (14) saw him caught at mid off by Lumb, Luke Fletcher giving the left hander a vocal send off, 16 for one. Derby got to tea on 28 for one off 9 overs.

In the first over after tea Wood was driven for successive fours by Godleman (22). Attempting a third four he edged the left armer to Read, 36 for 2. Hutton and Gurney replaced Fletcher and Wood, and they were going at seven an over. Gurney bowled a short one and Thakor (25) got a thin edge to an attempted hook shot and Read took the catch, 103 for three. Gurney was replaced after an expensive six over spell by Fletcher, the left armer dropping too short too often.

Wayne Madsen mistimed a cut shot off Patel and was caught low down by Hutton at backward point, 141 for four. Madsen the key man had scored 61 off 57 balls with eight fours and a six. Derby required a mere 71 off the last 20 overs. Bad light stopped play at 1734 with Derby 180 for 4, needing 36 in 14 overs. Play recommenced at 1755, 5 overs had been lost. With the slate grey sky it was obvious that rain was imminent Hughes slogged Fletcher towards long leg, Read sprinted 40 yards to try and get the catch when it should have been an easy chance for Gurney; end results two runs. But Hughes (24) departed leg before to a Fletcher full toss. Gurney then came on and his first ball went for a single and was also a no ball, which summed up his match. The rain then came with Derby 190 for 5 off 36 overs with big hitting pair Wilson 31 not out and Mendis 6 not out at the crease. The match was called off 15 minutes later much to the agony of the visitors. Should Derby have put the foot on the accelerator faster knowing the rain was coming? A very very lucky escape for Notts. Fletcher with two for 46 off 13 overs bowled very well in the circumstances. It was his efforts which ultimately gave Notts five undeserved points for the draw. MAG

NOTTS GRIT IT OUT


But remain stood on a precipice 


Responsibility and application paid dividends as in a day where 28 overs were lost, Notts only lost four wickets today as they closed with a lead of 179 runs with four second innings wickets intact. Derbyshire will be cursing their luck as five miles away in Arnold it had remained bone dry, but they remain firm favourites. With afternoon rain forecast for tomorrow, Notts could yet salvage a draw as Derbyshire could end up racing against the clock.

Notts batted the entire morning session without losing a wicket. The only chance was off the penultimate ball before the interval when Mullaney was put down at short leg by Alex Hughes off Jeevan Mendis; in the event it only cost the Peakites four runs. It was great to see two naturally attacking batsman knuckle down and play the game situation. Notts got to lunch on 160 for 2 with Mullaney on 58 and Patel on 63. Notts had scored 93 runs off 31 overs.

Shortly after lunch Patel hit Mendis for six into the Fox Road. Mullaney tried to repeat the shot but mistimed it and was caught on the run and over his shoulder at mid wicket by Tom Taylor; a fine effort and the first wicket for the leg spinner. Mullaney out for 62 off 136 balls with seven fours and 138 runs in the match. The third wicket had added 137 in 40 overs, 172 for three. Patel then departed leg before to one that kept low from the brisk McKerr having made season high 82 (139 balls, 10 x 4, 1 x 6), 185 for 4. Notts had a slender lead of just 51 runs. Rain stopped play at 1452 with Notts 212 for 4 with Lumb on 16 and Wessels on 12. Play resumed at 1505, but only after a little comedy as umpires Lloyd and Gustard put the stumps in a strip two along from the proper one! Lumb could not read Mendis it was one appeal after another; and it made gruesome viewing. Lumb was fortunate to survive a leg before shout off Reece; he ran a leg bye as Gustard refused to raise his finger. Next ball he was put out of his agony caught at short by Hughes off Mendis for 21 (54 balls; 1 x 4), 233 for five. Shortly after another shower arrived and tea was taken at 1527 with Notts 239 for five with Wessels on 26 and Read on five, 67 overs had been bowled. Derby had taken three wickets in the session and looked to be closing in on victory.

Play resumed at 1630, six overs had been lost. Read and Wessels went for quick runs and their running between the wickets was impressive. However when on 46 Wessels was bamboozled by Mendis and departed for 46 (76 balls; 3 x 4 1 x 6). The seventh wicket added 49 runs. The new ball was taken at 80 overs, but two overs later bad light stopped play at 1727 with Notts 313 for six with Read for 46 and Hutton on 6, the players never returned as rain followed shortly afterwards and further 22 overs were taken out of the equation. Read looked in imperious form, much depends on him together with Carol’s forecast tomorrow on Breakfast Time. MAG


GODLEMAN LEADS DERBYSHIRE INTO A STRONG POSITION

Notts attack made to look toothless

Responsibility and application should be the mantra for Notts batsman tomorrow after another poor day at Trent Bridge. The weather gods were unkind to Notts; yesterday's bowler friendly atmospherics were replaced with fresher conditions but a toothless attack could not make the necessary in roads into Derbyshire's batting line up as they piled up a large first innings lead. Yesterday's abject batting display could not be corrected. To make matters worse a couple of Smit dismissals in the last hour saw Notts well and truly behind the eight ball at 67 for two, still trailing by 67 runs. The two batsmen dismissed Libby and Pujara are arguably the two batsmen on the staff most capable of batting time. The wicket though is playing well and a big second innings total should be expected but with Fletcher nursing an injured bowling arm it's likely that Notts will need upwards of 450 in the second innings to stay in the game.


Due to the rain yesterday the day was extended by 8 overs and lunch was taken by 1310. The humid conditions of yesterday had been replaced by fresher conditions and the ball was not swinging. Read rotated his bowlers seven being used in the morning session; indeed Libby had a twirl before 1230. The bowling though remained pretty unthreatening as Godleman and Madsen had the application sadly missing in Notts first innings. Finally at 1255 Hutton got Bumble Junior to raise his finger as Madsen (56 – 107 balls 10 x 4) was adjudged leg before to ball appearing to be going down leg side. The second wicket had added a match turning 112, 164 for three. But it had been a brilliant morning for Derbyshire as they stood on 177 for three with Godleman on 75 and Hughes on 6.



Twenty minutes after lunch, Gurney who had been “spray gun” all game, suddenly found his radar and had Hughes plumb leg before for 13, Jamaican umpire Peter Gustard raising the finger, 197 for four. Gary Wilson then edged the ball on to his pad and the ball carried to Read who took the catch low down. Umpire Gustard asked the square leg umpire Lloyd whether it had carried, and he answered to the affirmative, Derby 217 for five, a second wicket for Gurney. Godleman and Smit added 58 runs. Samit Patel came on from the Pavilion End and with the new ball four overs away. In his second over Smit attempted a cut short on the back foot but missed and was adjudged leg before by umpire Gustard for 32. The new ball was taken an over late by Wood and Fletcher but Derby got to tea on 295 for six off 84 overs with Godleman on 120 and Mendis on 8.

In the second over after tea Wood made the crucial breakthrough as Godleman edged to Read. Umpire Gustard bizarrely had to consult Lloyd before giving the Derby captain the marching orders. Godleman dropped on 12 had made 121 with 12 fours, a true skipper’s innings off 198 balls, 296 for seven. Mendis (20) skied Hutton into orbit Gurney taking the catch at mid on; despite the distraction of Luke Fletcher running for the same catch, 324 for eight. Hutton had replaced Fletcher from the Radcliffe Road End who had put his bowling arm out throwing the ball back to Read in annoyance of not dismissing Taylor. Palladino became the ninth wicket to fall leg before to Patel for five, 329 for nine. To rub salt in the wounds the last wicket added 34 runs as McKerr on his debut finished with 16 not out. The final wicket was taken by Gurney, Patel catching Taylor at third man for 32. Derbyshire 363 all out led by 134 runs. Notts without Broad, Ball and Pattinson lacked a cutting edge and the captain had no "go to" man to turn to. Hutton (3 for 65) was the pick of the bowlers bowling with great effort, but he is an essence a support bowler. More should be expected of Gurney (3 for 55) but he is currently lacking pace and bowling with a disappointing lack of accuracy. Indeed, McKerr the teenage debutant has been the fastest bowler in the game

Notts had 14 overs to negotiate as the sun reappeared after an hour of cloud cover. Predictably it only took until the fourth over to Derby to take their first wicket as Libby (15l fished outside off stump and edged to Smit, Conor McKerr the bowler, 20 for one. In over seven Pujara edged Taylor to Smit to depart with 13 to his name, 35 for two. No further wickets fell as a hang dog Notts got to 67 for two with Mullaney on 20 and Patel on 17. An awful lot of hard work is required tomorrow in order for Notts to save face. MAG

POOR APPLICATION BY THE BATSMEN PUT NOTTS UNDER PRESSURE
Derbyshire without a championship win for two seasons had the better of the first day after appalling home batting effort; Notts collapsing from 132 for two to 229 all out in a batting performance lacking application. For once the bottom order were not able to bail out the slap happy top six. Like the Gloucester game the wicket had bounce but had no hidden demons. Notts can ill afford the visitors getting a lead of more than 70 runs so much depends on a good bowling performance tomorrow. With a weakened attack and on a day which promises a lot of sunshine after the cloudy skies of today, it will not be easy.


Derbyshire put Notts in as Luke Wood replaced Stuart Broad. The pitch was way over on the Fox Road side and was very brown in colour. Tom Taylor opened up with a maiden from the Pavilion End. Conor McKerr on loan from Surrey bowled over two. The 19 year old Johannesburg born right armer was hit for four by Jake Libby but with his fourth ball he removed the Cornishman who was caught at first slip by Madsen; Libby failed to move his feet and paid the consequences, 4 for one. The ball was swinging in the overcast conditions. Mullaney and Pujara added 56 runs but then the Indian edged Palladino into Smit's gloves. Pujara had faced 72 balls for his 29 hitting four 4s. Mullaney then hit Thakor for successive fours but the rain arrived at 1233 with Notts 68 for two off 22.5 overs with Mullaney 35 and Patel yet to score. Lunch was taken at 1250.

Play resumed at 1343 with no overs lost. Mullaney and Patel went on the attack with the former getting to his 50 in 78 balls. Patel raced to 28 off 24 balls with five fours and one six, but he was too cavalier and was bowled by Palladino, 132 for three. Little did we know Notts would lose their last 8 wickets for 97, in a dramatic collapse. The third wicket had added 72 runs off 56 balls. In his next over Palladino picked up his third wicket as Mullaney missed his drive and was bowled for 76 off 95 balls with 16 fours. Notts were batting as if it was limited overs fixture rather than four day game and were now 141 for four in the 34th over. Five overs later, Lumb (8) edged Reece to Madsen at first slip, 159 for five. The South African, McKerr looks a good prospect bowling with plenty of pace; the Peakites are rumoured to be getting him on a 28 day loan for free. It got even worse as Read (0) edged the returning McKerr to keeper Smit, for once a batsman was not culpable for his dismissal. Wessels was dropped at second slip when on 16 by Gary Wilson high above his head. Notts got to tea at 199 for six off 53 overs with Wessels on 38 and Hutton on 6.

There was little fight after the interval. In the second over after tea, Wessels edged Tom Taylor to Smit to depart for 39 off 62 balls with five fours and one six 200 for seven. Hutton never looked in touch and played on to Taylor for nine, 209 for eight. Fletcher departed leg before to the returning Palladino for three, 216 for nine. Wood was left with the thankless task of batting with Gurney and hit a couple of defiant fours. Gurney then had to survive an over from leg spinner Mendis. Against the odds, he got a two through third man but then he played an agricultural heave off ball six to a teasing flighted delivery and missed and was bowled for two. A rabbit caught in the headlights. Wood 21 not out. Notts 229 all out; an abject effort. Palladino was the pick of the bowlers with four for 44 but Derby did not have to work hard for their wickets. They were presented to them.

Derbyshire had 27 overs to bat but rain stopped play after 23 balls with Derby on 9 for nought. Play resumed 30 minutes later at 1815 with eight overs lost. In the tenth over left hander Reece (17) edged Wood to Wessels at first slip, 25 for one. His first championship wicket since dismissing Adam Lyth caught and bowled at Scarborough last August. Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman was then dropped at third slip by Brett Hutton when on 12. The cries of frustration from bowler Fletcher echoed round the empty ground. In the last over of the day Hutton got Thakor (13) caught at third slip, stumps were immediately drawn at 1913 with Derby 52 for two. Notts will be hoping for a much better day tomorrow; today’s complacent effort must be forgotten quickly. MAG



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Stuart Broad has the first of his two games rest, scheduled with Andrew Strauss, against Derbyshire, starting 02 June. The obvious replacement is Luke Wood who has had a light schedule too since returning from injury earlier last month. Wood has taken 8 wickets in total, since his return in the Seconds. Ben Kitt has taken 16 wickets since April, not hitting the heights of last season yet.

Therefore, the bowling unit is likely to comprise of: Luke Fletcher, Harry Gurney, Brett Hutton and Luke Wood, plus Samit Patel and Steven Mullaney.

The rest of the eleven is likely to be: Jake Libby, Riki Wessels, Michael Lumb, Chris Read and Cheteshwar Pujara.

To those names add Ben Kitt, Brendan Taylor and Matt Milnes, to make up the announced  14 man squad but expect those three to miss out.