Warwickshire Bears RLODC at Edgbaston

MULLANEY INSPIRES OUTLAWS TO FIND ROOOOOT TO VICTORY



A maiden List A century from Billy Root helped Notts secure a surprise win against holders Warwickshire at Edgbaston today.

 A score of 303 for 6 seemed to be slightly below par on a good batting pitch on the Raglan side of the square, a strong easterly wind further aiding the hitting of boundaries on the short boundary. But Warwickshire at one stage 185 for one in the 34th over collapsed dramatically as Broad, Pattinson, Mullaney and Fletcher turned the screw. Notts getting home by 10 runs and now stand in fourth place in the Northern Section with two wins and two losses. The Bears are now seriously looking at elimination at the group stage.

Notts won the toss and elected to bat, Mullaney returned after a five week absence in place of Hales and Fletcher replaced Ball. Clarke (City End) and Patel (Pavilion End) opened up with successive maidens. But with a short boundary on the Raglan side Michael Lumb took advantage with two sixes off Clarke. He is also hit Barker for a maximum. In the tenth over Wessels was bowled for eight attempting to sweep Barker, 39 for one. The Bears were sticking to line and length as Samit Patel fell in familiar fashion pulling Hannon-Dalby straight to namesake Jeetan Patel at deep square leg, 69 for two in the sixteenth over. Patel 17 off 22 balls with two fours. Taylor tried to be too fancy too early and was out leg before missing a sweep off Poysden for six, 83 for three in the 18th over. It got worse in the next over as Lumb's familiar struggles against spinners continued as leg spinner Poysden had him pinned in front leg before, Lumb out for 56 off 63 balls with four sixes and two fours, 92 for four. A good innings. Mullaney playing extremely well following his long layoff added 159 in 26 overs with Billy Root. Mullaney was fluent straight away and the feature of the partnership was the excellent running between the wickets. Mullaney was then bowled making room to Keith Barker; Mullaney out for 89 off 84 balls including 11 fours. This equalled his career best List A score of 89 not out made at Scarborough last season.

Read lasted eight balls before being caught at deep cover off Barker for nine, 275 for six. Root carried on quite superbly and reached his ton off 91 balls and finished on 107 not out off 93 balls with 10 fours and two sixes. With shots all round the wicket this was the real breakthrough innings for the younger Root, emerging from under big brother's enormous shadow. A massive confidence boost for him and his teammates. Well done to him. Notts finished on 303 for six. Patel was economical with 10 overs for 37. Barker took three for 63. Crucially Notts secured 60 runs off the last five overs of the innings, all down to Root's fine stroke play.

Warwickshire got off to an excellent start as Gurney and Pattinson opened up. Patel came on by the twelfth over but his two overs cost 18 runs. Trott got to his fifty in 48 balls Pattinson's first four overs went for 32 runs but in his fifth over Notts supporters basking in the sunshine had something to celebrate as Sam Hain was leg before 37 (42 balls with five fours), 104 for one in the 19th over. Broad came on from the Pavilion End and gave Trott a good working over in an excellent spell. Jonathan Trott got to his century in 106 balls and received a standing ovation from the home crowd. Trott should have run out shortly after reaching his milestone but Patel's throw missed the stumps despite having all three to aim at. Trott's superb innings finally came to an end when he chipped Mullaney straight to Wessels at mid on. Yet another Trott century against Notts his 104 came off 108 balls with 14 boundaries, 185 for two in the 34th over. Bears needed a further 119 in 16 overs, a relatively easy chance it seemed.

Four overs later Bell (51 off 61 balls with five fours) fell leg before to slower ball full toss from Mullaney, 212 for three in the 38th over. Broad who bowled well all day ended up with figures of 0 for 39 off 10 overs; he deserved much more. Youngster Matthew Lamb (2), was then yorked by Pattinson who had replaced Broad from the City End, 221 for four in the 41st over. The experienced Rikki Clarke came in and hit Mullaney for two fours in the next over. Mullaney struck again in his next over as Ambrose was bowled sweeping for 29, 247 for five. Three overs later and with the required run rate increasing Clarke skied Gurney to short third man where Read took the catch running back. Clarke gone for 25 off 15 balls. Warwickshire required 35 off the last three overs. Fletcher was recalled to bowl from Pavilion End and over 48 went for 11; including successive drives for fours by youngster Aaron Thomason. Gurney bowled over 49, which went for eight and off the third ball Keith Barker as caught at long on for seven. Sixteen required off the last over proved far too much for the home side only getting five as Patel and Poysden fell to run outs. Mullaney having quite excellent game with three for 66 going along with 89 earlier. Gurney had two for 40 off eight and Pattinson two for 62 off 10 overs. Thomason left on 27 not out. Notts ground fielding was best we have seen all season and the game itself proved marvellous entertainment for the crowd. What a shame it was played on a Friday rather than on Saturday....where you might you got a better crowd. Are you listening ECB? MAG

Outlaws we have two forced International absentees from the win at Derby. The two replacements look to be the obvious candidates, Luke Fletcher and Greg Smith.

Mooresy likes to announce a fourteen man squad for when on the road so add the to the 9 from Derby , as well as the pair above, Brett Hutton  and AN Other.

AN Other could be Steven Mullaney, after an accelerated recovery, Jake Libby who would allow further depth to the batting in the event of another wicket procession like earlier this week or a wildcard of Tom Moores or Connor Marshall.

Expected squad:

Greg Smith
Michael Lumb
Riki Wessels
Samit Patel
Brendan Taylor
Billy Root
Chris Read
James Pattinson
Stuart Broad
Luke Fletcher
Harry Gurney

Brett Hutton
Tom Moores
Steven Mullaney