Sussex CC2 at Hove

JOB DONE! 

READ EFFORT REWARDED WITH PROMOTION

Match drawn, Notts season Primary Objective Achieved!

Notts capped a memorable season by gaining promotion back to the first division at the first attempt by drawing their final game at sunny Hove today. With heavy overnight rain causing the loss of the morning season. Sussex decided that they could not set up a chase, with so little overs left in the game, so decided to bat the game out. It resulted in a very low key day where Luke Wells scored a ton and spinners Carter and Patel shared seven wickets. 

Northants won once more today and finished the season with nine victories, two more than Notts but their soporific over rate in their game at TB cost them promotion. Notts who got off to such a storming start thanks to James Pattinson limped over the line in the end but had to cope with a long list of unexpected player retirements, international call ups and unfortunate injuries. What the last few games has shown is that we lack top quality depth in the playing squad and I'm sure that there will be steps during the close season to rectify this problem. Notts unlike most counties play with a fairly similar squad in red and white ball cricket so player fatigue was also a problem. No team played more games than Notts and Patel and Wessels played in them all. 

The bottom line is Notts won two trophies and achieved their primary objective of promotion , so well done to everybody in a season that lifted the 2016 gloom. Pattinson certainly carried the most impact with early season unplayable pacey spells but my player of the season would by Samit Patel who seemed to gain more maturity under Moores and Franks. Steven Mullaney and Riki Wessels were also outstanding. Player fitness has undoubtedly improved and despite lack of mobility compared to most teams in the field, not many catches were dropped.

After a long delay caused by damp patches around the area of the bowlers delivery stride at the Cromwell Road End, play got under way at 1300 with 67 overs remaining. Notts were now missing Wood (hamstring) and Wessels (broken finger). Hutton (Sea End) and Gurney (Cromwell Road) opened the bowling. Mullaney replaced Hutton for the 13th over the 50 being reached in the same over via an off side for Harry Finch. Hutton switched to the Cromwell Road End. Luke Wells got to his 50 off 50 balls (9 x 4) via a cover drive off Brett Hutton. Matt Carter came on for over 18. Luke Wells hit Carter for a six over long off. The 100 partnership arrived in the 21st over. Next over Wells hit Carter for a six over long on. He repeated the shot in Carter's next over. Samit Patel came on the Sea End and his second over he had Finch caught by sub Tom Moores in the covers, the youngster mistiming the stroke and skying the ball upwards, 123 for one. Salt (1) went for a big leg side shot and missed the ball from Carter, end result middle stump removed, 126 for two. Wells then hit another six over long off, Carter the bowler once more. Wells got to a very easy 100 of 97 balls with a four through mid wicket off Carter. Next over Wells played on to Patel. Wells out for 103 off 98 balls (13 x 4, 4 x 6), 156 for three. Sussex added a further run as tea was taken at 1505.

Chris Read came out to a standing ovation after tea. Nash departed in the first over after tea caught by Libby at square leg off Carter for one, 157 for four. Carter got another wicket next over as Rawlins swept him and he was caught at leg slip by Mullaney, 161 for five. Rawlins out for a 4 ball duck. Carter yorked Evans off stump for 13. Next over Burgess skied Patel as Read took the his last first class catch running in front of the stumps, 180 for seven. Archer hit Carter for a huge six over long on. Libby replaced Patel from the Sea End. Sussex declared at 1620 on 229 for seven, Jordan on 19 and Archer on 29. Carter 4 for 106 and Patel three for 31. Chris Read was given a guard of honour as he left the field for the very last time. He was presented by Sussex stalwart Keith Greenfield with a framed scorecards of first and last games both played at Hove for Devon and Notts respectively. Great credit to Sussex for arranging this. What a career the best wicketkeeper in Notts history and fittingly he made an invaluable contribution in his very last game with his marvellous ton yesterday that helped see Notts over the promotion line. Notts now have to somehow replace the irreplaceable. MAG



Captain Read Steers Notts to one last Recovery off the Rocks

as Notts promotion hopes are reignited

Notts answered the rallying call in dramatic fashion by showing tremendous fight by adding 369 runs in 76.3 overs at Hove today until bad light stopped play between the innings. The last five wickets amassed 412 runs to mimic the home teams effort. 

The wicket is very flat to bat on once the new ball has been seen off. Chris Read for the umpteenth time bailed Notts out of a crisis getting his first century of the season with a tremendous 124 and Billy Root made 132. What a way for Chris Read to end his stellar career. The sixth wicket partnership was worth 242 runs as the momentum of the game took a sharp turn. Root batted very positively from the first ball today and played excellently and got his second first class ton and his first for Notts. His innings was one short of his career best made for Leeds/Bradford MCCU at Hove two years ago. The last six Notts batsman aĺl got to beyond 30 as the follow on was avoided via a last wicket stand of 73 between Carter and Gurney. Gurney got to unbelievable 42 not out, smashing his previous career best by 15. It was most surprising innings by a Notts number 11 since current Chairman of Cricket (Bill Taylor) scored his famous 63 against Tony Greig's Sussex in 1975. Sussex with a lead of 88 will be looking to set Notts around 300 or more importantly Notts will probably have to survive 50 overs tomorrow to gain promotion to Division 1.

On a sunny morning, Billy Root got a chanceless 50 off 67 balls with six fours. Shortly afterwards the 100 partnership between Read and Root was achieved from 111 balls. The runs continued to flow as Read got to his 50 off 55 balls with a four off Jordan. Notts got to the crucial first batting point via a four through third man by Read off Jordan. Read had a left off on 70 when he was dropped at mid wicket by Nash off Sakande. Chris Read got his ton with a six over long leg off Whittingham, the ball just going above fielder Sakande. Read's 100 came off 108 balls. A fairytale end to his career. The 200 partnership came up in 220 balls via a four through the covers by Root. A wide half volley from slow left armer Rawlins was glided for four by Root through backward point to get his maiden championship ton off 116 balls with 13 fours. He was then dropped in the same over by keeper Burgess. It was a fabulous session for Notts as they went to lunch on 285 for 5 with Root on 103 and Read on 114. They had scored 177 runs in the session without losing a a wicket. Jofra Archer was presented with his cap at the interval.

Twenty minutes after lunch Read pulled Archer straight to Salt at deep square leg to depart for 124 off 152 balls (16 x 4, 1 x 6). He left to a standing ovation. The sixth wicket had added 242 in 48 overs. Eight overs later Sakande had Root leg before for 132 off 168 balls (16 x 4), 345 for seven. The new ball was taken after 80 overs with Notts 372 for seven with Jordan (Cromwell Road) and Archer (Sea End) sharing the ball. Hutton was caught and bowled by Jordan on 31, a sharp reflex catch in the third over with the new ball, 380 for 8. Luke Wood went on the attack 4 leg byes followed by successive fours from the bat off Archer. The 400 was reached in the 86th over. Wood was caught at slip by Nash off Jordan for 32 off 33 balls (6 x 4), 404 for nine. Harry Gurney had been practising his batting with Mullaney with his dog stick in the Hove net in the early afternoon. He came into bat a new man.

He hit Archer hit for two runs and then the famous Aigburth cover drive was unveiled again with a boundary off Archer. Carter got Notts passed on the follow on total with a single off Jordan to great jubilation from the large travelling contingent. Gurney was now in overdrive with a four through mid wicket off Jordan. Gurney then cover drove Archer with successive fours. Gurney hit his fourth cover drive off Jordan to get to a championship best. He then got to his career first class score with a lofted two over mid on as Rawlins dropped the difficult chance, Whittingham the bowler. The 50 partnership between Carter and Gurney was reached in nine overs. Gurney then hit a four through mid wicket off Whittingham. Tea was delayed for 30 minutes as nine wickets were down but Carter and Gurney survived as Nash turned to Rawlins and Finch. Notts 467 for nine at tea taken at 1600 with Carter on 32 and Gurney on 36.

The players came out after tea with the floodlights now on. Whittingham was taken out of the attack for bowling two beamer with Archer completing the over. Gurney got to the 40s with a square drive off Sakande. Carter then edged to Burgess off Sakande to depart for 33 off 54 balls (4 x 4). Gurney 42 not out off 56 balls with seven fours. The last wicket had added 73. Notts 477 all out at 1625, a deficit of 88. Bad light stopped play between the innings and Sussex never started their second innings as play was called off at 1715. A very nervy last day of the season remains tomorrow.MAG


NOTTS PROMOTION FLOUNDERING ON THE ROCKS

after horrific day at the seaside

Notts promotion prospects took a heavy jolt after a desperately poor second day at Eaton Road. After letting Sussex recover from 107 for five to 565 all out after career best knocks for Burgess and Jordan they then lost five wickets on a blameless pitch in the first 16.2 overs to slide to 65 for five. An unbroken stand of 43 between Root and Read offered a morsel of good news as Notts closed on 108 for 5 as bad light stopped play at 1746. With Northants unexpectedly collapsing at Leicester albeit with a reasonable lead all is not yet lost. But unless Northants lose then Notts only hope would to somehow draw this game and match Northants batting point haul a very tall order based on today's all too familiar September meltdown performance.

Mullaney completed his over from the previous night from the Cromwelll Road End being then immediately replaced by Gurney. Hutton opened up from the Sea End.With his third legitimate ball of the morning Gurney had Rawlins caught behind by Read for 55. The sixth wicket had added 125 runs. Carter finally came on at the Sea End for over 75 an excellent maiden, unfortunately the rest of the bowling didn't do much to really inspire. Mullaney came on for next over replacing the wayward Gurney. Burgess and Jordan raced to a 50 partnership in 60 balls as Notts bowling was put to the sword. The new ball was taken at 80 overs with Hutton bowling from the Cromwell Road End. The 300 came up in the 84th over. Jordan got to 50 off 59 balls with a four through the covers off Hutton. Burgess got to a chanceless maiden first class ton off 146 balls (15 x 4, 1 x 6) with four off Hutton as Notts bowling was getting increasingly ragged. Mullaney replaced Wood from the Sea End after the left armer had a three over spell with the new ball. Wood immediately switched ends. Milestones were being reached with regularity with the 100 partnership between Burgess and Jordan being achieved off 124 with a four through mid wicket off Mullaney. Burgess hooked Wood for six to long leg off to Hutton who didn't quite hold onto the catch before it crossed the rope. Patel came on for Mullaney and was hit for a straight six by Jordan. The 150 partnership came up on the stroke of lunch via a four through fine leg by Jordan off the disappointing Gurney. Notts bowling had been ripped to shreds in the morning session as Sussex had added 159 for the loss of a single wicket. Sussex had 389 for six with Burgess on 134 and Jordan on 81. From a Notts perspective it had been a very mediocre bowling performance.

The 400 came up in the 101st over. The run-fest carried on as Carter was hit for a straight six by Jordan. Finally at 1340 Michael Burgess was bowled via a slower ball from Gurney 146 off 198 balls (19 x 4, 2 x 6)), 421 for seven in the 105th over. In the same over Jordan got to his ton off 116 balls (14 x 4, 2 x 6). Archer joined the fun by hitting Patel for a massive six over extra cover. Sussex 457 for seven after 110 overs, Notts had dropped their first bowling point of the season. Jordan beat his previous highest first class score of 131 and in the same over Archer hit Patel over square leg for six and then Jordan hit Patel over long off for six.
The 500 came up in 119th over with a single for Archer off Hutton. Billy Root then came on for his first over. Jordan finally departed caught by Wessels at long on for a career best 147 off 168 balls (17x 4 , 3 x 6), a first scalp for Billy Root, 517 for eight. Archer got his 50 off 65 balls. Root picked up his second wicket was Archer was caught at long off by Matt Carter for 72 off 84 with 7x4 and 2x6, 551 for nine. Whittingham hit Root for enormous six over long off but was then was bowled next ball for 22. Sussex 565 all out a remarkable recovery. Root three for 29 and Mullaney three for 60.

All Notts had to do was to see off the new ball on a feather-bed pitch. However Sussex took 10 balls to take the first wicket Libby caught at the second attempt by Finch at second slip off Archer for a blob, 2 for one. Pujara's miserable form continued as he padded up to Whittingham for 12, 33 for two. The Indian clearly has problem against the moving ball. Patel got off the mark with an edged four through slip by Whittingham. Worse to follow as Mullaney was bowled middle stump for 22, 44 for three. Wessels was next to go caught behind off a short ball off Archer for one, 55 for four. Patel was plumb leg before to Whittingham for 21, 65 for five. Root on 31 and Read on 13 made sure no further wickets fell but this was a truly horrendous day for Notts. Much more fight is expected tomorrow. MAG


BURGESS AND RAWLINS HOLD-UP NOTTS

An unbroken partnership of 123 after tea between novices Michael Burgess and Delray Rawlins meant that Sussex, put-in, were the happier of the two counties after a truncated first day at Hove. 

Sussex were 107 for five at tea with Steven Mullaney bowling an outstanding spell but the two youngsters; initially riding their luck but giving no chances; cashed in on an easing pitch against an old ball. Notts will be hoping to get early wickets tomorrow and restrict Sussex to under 300.

After morning rain, play did not start until 1300. Sussex were inserted by captain Chris Read, no toss was required. Matt Carter came in for Tom Moores from the Northants game. Hutton (Cromwell Road) and Wood (Sea End) opened the bowling. In the sixth over Harry Finch edged Wood to Read to depart for 10, 20 for one. The Sussex 50 came in the thirteenth over. For the next over, Mullaney replaced Luke Wood. A poor shot from Phil Salt (16) saw him caught in the covers by Pujara off Hutton, 51 for two. Next over Evans was leg before to Mullaney for one, 52 for three. Gurney came on for Hutton but after four mediocre overs for 23 made way for Luke Wood. 

The Sussex 100 came up in the 27th over. The accurate Mullaney, who was getting plenty of movement and putting the ball on the spot, had Nash caught in the gulley by Hutton for 19, 100 for four. In the same over left hander Rawlins was dropped by Pujara at short extra, whilst on 0. After a three over spell Hutton replaced Wood. On the stroke of tea at 1520 Mullaney got the key wicket of the becalmed Wells for 46, 107 for five. Rawlings 4 not out. Notts' session with Mullaney outstanding with 10.2-4-13-3.

Conditions for batting got much better after tea with floodlights now off and blue sky appearing. Hutton and Mullaney took some punishment as Rawlins and Burgess put bat to ball and were replaced by Gurney and Wood. The 50 partnership for the sixth wicket came up in 14 overs. Samit Patel came on for Wood and Rawlins hit him for a straight six in his first over. Burgess got to his 50 off 71 balls with a six over mid wicket off Patel. Sussex 200 came up in the 59th over. Gurney bowled a good spell of eight overs for 18 with Burgess in particular playing and missing but no wicket was forthcoming. Mullaney replaced him at the Sea End as the floodlights came back on at 1720 as the 100 partnership came up with a four through mid wicket by Rawlins. The young left hander got his 50 with a two off Mullaney. The light was closing in and bad light stopped play at 1751 with Sussex 230 for five with Rawlins on 55 and Burgess on 67, 66.3 overs had been bowled. Notts seamers had bowled well. There was no turn for Patel who bowled seven overs for 33. Matt Carter was not given a bowl. With Northants not getting on at Grace Road today it now puts pressure on them to whether they have time to get a maximum point victory to put pressure on Notts. MAG


















At the start of the last round of games 2017, Notts need 12 points if they are to claim promotion to CC1 

Worcestershire need six points (v Durham), whist Northants need to beat Leicestershire with a good haul of bonus points and hope one of the above doesn't happen.

Beating bedraggled Leicestershire will be straight-forward for Northants, but securing maximum batting points might be an issue but if it comes down to odd points, it would be justice served if Nottinghamshire did scrape through by virtue of the points deduction at Trent Bridge when Northants made no attempt to bowl at the competitions stipulated rate and lost 5 points as a result. However, Notts do have a mountain to ascend by the seaside and Pujara must clip on his crampons this time.

The team will pick itself probably as we've only got 13 fit players left, with one change from the typical Notts September effort at Wantage Road, perhaps a bowler coming in for Moores (who needs to winter somewhere and rediscover that batting involves something called runs, in whatever format). Spin didn't account for many wickets in the last match at Hove when Sheep beat the hosts but still expect Matt Carter over Matt Milnes to get the nod. The bowling will be crucial for the outcome of this game and if Notts shoot Sussex out for a low score on Day 1, the then set tempo of the game could take Notts to the desired win, ignoring anything happening at Grace Road as an irrelevance.However, Notts' confidence is low, the batting has been poor and senior bowler Harry Gurney might-well as just stayed in in his pub rather than played, for the meaningful contributions that he has made since 2nd September. 

to those 13 Jack Blatherwick was added to the official squad of 14 on Sunday's announcement.