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Day 4
NOTTS RACE TO VICTORY
in a match that lasted only 135.4 overs, thrashing Pears and go top of the table
A tremendous performance saw Notts triumph by an innings and 41 runs at New Road today in little over a day and half's playing time. Notts gleefully fed on the diet of dross served up by the Worcester bowling in the first hour and then tore into the Worcester line up bowling Worcester out in 38.2 overs for a meagre 149. Leading the way today was Jake Ball who took 5 for 49 and seven in the match. He bowled with pace and aggression and is returning to his form shown in 2016. Fletcher also took seven in the game, Broad four and Gurney two. Poor Worcester were bowled out twice in 65 overs. The pitch offered the bowlers plenty throughout and Notts capitalised. Notts can be pleased with reaching 300 on such a surface.
Taylor looks a far better batsman in English conditions than Pujara and there were useful contributions down the order. Worcester meanwhile have lost all three games and seem to be struggling without the talismanic leadership of Steven Rhodes. Notts top the table after three rounds, taking 22 points from this fixture. Now they can look forward to seven out of their 11 matches at home.
The weather went against the script; most of the day being played out in bright sunshine in total contrast to the previous three days.
Broad and Moores put bat to ball to good effect early doors. Moores raced to 43 (52 balls, 6 x 4, 1 x 6) including a leg side six off Leach before being caught behind off Tongue. The seventh wicket had added 59 in 48 balls. Leach conceded 29 in three overs from the New Road End and made way for Travis Head's off spin. Shortly afterwards a collision between Fletcher and Broad occurred whilst they were running between the wickets, Broad feeling the full force of Fletch and his flashing blade. Play continued after Broad received treatment and a new helmet. Broad hit a leg side six off Head but perished next ball trying the same shot but top edging into Cox's gloves, 287 for eight. Broad's 38 came off 40 balls with 3 fours and 1 six. Ball was leg before first ball, the bowler Tongue, 288 for 9. Fletcher and Gurney scrambled the 12 runs required for the third batting point and as Notts immediately declared. Notts 300 for nine declared with Fletcher 27 not out. Tongue stuck out as the leading Worcester bowler with 4 for 81. Notts led by 190 runs. Notts had scored 96 runs in 65 minutes in 13.5 overs. Worcester bowled poorly this morning and Notts capitalised by scoring at seven an over.
Mitchell took a single off the first ball of the Worcester second innings. Next ball d'Oliveira edged Jake Ball into the safe hands of Taylor at slip, a golden duck. In the fifth over, Mitchell (3) was beaten for pace by well pitched up delivery from Ball and lost his off stump, 12 for two. Libby who had given Worcester four over throws the previous over in a failed run out attempt dropped Clarke when on 2 a difficult chance at square leg above his head off the unlucky Ball. It was not an expensive drop as next over Worcestershire's star man edged Broad to Moores to depart for 4, 17 for three. A further 12 runs were added before lunch with Fell on 12 and Head on 9. Worcester 29 for three at the interval.
After lunch Head went on the attack hitting Fletcher who had replaced Broad from the Diglis End for consecutive fours. Ball though removed him for 29 (33 balls, 6 x 4), leg before, 62 for four. The out of form George Rhodes (8) did not last long edging a ball from Fletcher as Moores took his second catch of the innings, 75 for 5. Cox got to 11 before being caught at backward point by Libby as Fletcher got his seventh wicket of the match, 89 for six. Tom Fell who had a horrendous 2017 reached 37 (73 balls 3 x 4) then attempting to move his bat away bottom edged on to his stumps meaning Gurney had picked up his first wicket of the match, 101 for seven. Leach (8) was struggling against the returning Ball (Diglis End) and it was no surprise when he edged him to Moores, 118 for eight. Barnard became Ball's fifth victim, another catch for Moores, 135 for nine. On the stroke of tea at 1539, Josh Tongue (21) was bowled by Gurney as Worcester were all out for 149. The whole game had lasted just 135 overs with Notts winning every session, bowling superbly and taking their catches. Crucially they also batted positively given themselves plenty of overs to bowl Worcester out for a second time. If only all matches were this easy. MAG
Day 3
FLETCH GOES NAP
The Bulwell Bomber returns personal best 5-27
Notts dominated the day as play finally got under way on the third day at New Road. Having bowled out Worcester for 110 in the morning spearheaded by a career best 5 for 27 for Luke Fletcher. Notts led by 94 runs at the close which included an excellent 50 by Ross Taylor and a quick 36 from Riki Wessels. Following the wet weather and the recent flood, the outfield was very sluggish and the wIcket offered plenty of assistance to the bowlers throughout the day. With very cold but dry day promised tomorrow Notts could still force a result tomorrow.
Notts had tremendous morning session bowling Worcester out in helpful bowling conditions. Stuart Broad replaced Luke Wood from the defeat at Headingley as Worcester were put in following an uncontested toss. Play got under way in grey and bitterly cold conditions. Due to the New Road flood, the pitch was on the cathedral side of the square.
The weather went against the script; most of the day being played out in bright sunshine in total contrast to the previous three days.
Broad and Moores put bat to ball to good effect early doors. Moores raced to 43 (52 balls, 6 x 4, 1 x 6) including a leg side six off Leach before being caught behind off Tongue. The seventh wicket had added 59 in 48 balls. Leach conceded 29 in three overs from the New Road End and made way for Travis Head's off spin. Shortly afterwards a collision between Fletcher and Broad occurred whilst they were running between the wickets, Broad feeling the full force of Fletch and his flashing blade. Play continued after Broad received treatment and a new helmet. Broad hit a leg side six off Head but perished next ball trying the same shot but top edging into Cox's gloves, 287 for eight. Broad's 38 came off 40 balls with 3 fours and 1 six. Ball was leg before first ball, the bowler Tongue, 288 for 9. Fletcher and Gurney scrambled the 12 runs required for the third batting point and as Notts immediately declared. Notts 300 for nine declared with Fletcher 27 not out. Tongue stuck out as the leading Worcester bowler with 4 for 81. Notts led by 190 runs. Notts had scored 96 runs in 65 minutes in 13.5 overs. Worcester bowled poorly this morning and Notts capitalised by scoring at seven an over.
Mitchell took a single off the first ball of the Worcester second innings. Next ball d'Oliveira edged Jake Ball into the safe hands of Taylor at slip, a golden duck. In the fifth over, Mitchell (3) was beaten for pace by well pitched up delivery from Ball and lost his off stump, 12 for two. Libby who had given Worcester four over throws the previous over in a failed run out attempt dropped Clarke when on 2 a difficult chance at square leg above his head off the unlucky Ball. It was not an expensive drop as next over Worcestershire's star man edged Broad to Moores to depart for 4, 17 for three. A further 12 runs were added before lunch with Fell on 12 and Head on 9. Worcester 29 for three at the interval.
After lunch Head went on the attack hitting Fletcher who had replaced Broad from the Diglis End for consecutive fours. Ball though removed him for 29 (33 balls, 6 x 4), leg before, 62 for four. The out of form George Rhodes (8) did not last long edging a ball from Fletcher as Moores took his second catch of the innings, 75 for 5. Cox got to 11 before being caught at backward point by Libby as Fletcher got his seventh wicket of the match, 89 for six. Tom Fell who had a horrendous 2017 reached 37 (73 balls 3 x 4) then attempting to move his bat away bottom edged on to his stumps meaning Gurney had picked up his first wicket of the match, 101 for seven. Leach (8) was struggling against the returning Ball (Diglis End) and it was no surprise when he edged him to Moores, 118 for eight. Barnard became Ball's fifth victim, another catch for Moores, 135 for nine. On the stroke of tea at 1539, Josh Tongue (21) was bowled by Gurney as Worcester were all out for 149. The whole game had lasted just 135 overs with Notts winning every session, bowling superbly and taking their catches. Crucially they also batted positively given themselves plenty of overs to bowl Worcester out for a second time. If only all matches were this easy. MAG
Day 3
FLETCH GOES NAP
The Bulwell Bomber returns personal best 5-27
Notts dominated the day as play finally got under way on the third day at New Road. Having bowled out Worcester for 110 in the morning spearheaded by a career best 5 for 27 for Luke Fletcher. Notts led by 94 runs at the close which included an excellent 50 by Ross Taylor and a quick 36 from Riki Wessels. Following the wet weather and the recent flood, the outfield was very sluggish and the wIcket offered plenty of assistance to the bowlers throughout the day. With very cold but dry day promised tomorrow Notts could still force a result tomorrow.
Notts had tremendous morning session bowling Worcester out in helpful bowling conditions. Stuart Broad replaced Luke Wood from the defeat at Headingley as Worcester were put in following an uncontested toss. Play got under way in grey and bitterly cold conditions. Due to the New Road flood, the pitch was on the cathedral side of the square.
Jake Ball steaming in from the New Road End bowled Daryl Mitchell for a duck with the fifth ball of the day. The former Worcester skipper losing his off stump. Stuart Broad opened up from the Diglis End, the third ball was hit for three by d'Oliveria and with his fourth ball Fell was leg before for a duck, 3 for 2.
D'Olivera was dropped in Ball's second over by Moores diving to his right but next ball he edged again with Taylor taking a regulation catch at second slip, 3 for 3. Clarke and overseas batsman Travis Head then went on the attack. Broad bowling at brisk pace bowled a four overs spell for 19 and gave way to Luke Fletcher.
Ball's five over spell cost 25 runs for two wIckets.
Gurney came on from the New Road End and an off side four by Clarke brought up The Pears 50 in the 11th over. Clarke's aggressive innings came to an end when he edged Fletcher to Mullaney at slip who took the catch low to his left, 68 for 4. Clarke's 42 came off 35 balls with seven fours. Rhodes shouldered arms to his second ball and was bowled by Fletcher, the third duck of the innings, 68 for five.
A poor shot by Ben Cox (3) saw him edge Fletcher into Moores gloves, the third wicket for The Bomber, 86 for six. Gurney proved expensive his four over spell costing 27, he was replaced by Stuart Broad. Head became Fletcher's next victim plumb leg before for 33, 87 for seven. The 100 came up in the 23rd over via a four through third man by Leach off Broad. With the sun now out, Barnard played on to Stuart Broad for 4, 103 for eight. Leach played on to his leg stump as Fletcher went nap, the captain out for 12, 105 for nine. Chris Morris was bowled off his pads for three as Worcester was bowled out on the stroke of lunch for 110 off 26.3 overs.Tongue two not out.
Fletcher had bowled superbly and finished with career best figures of 9 2 27 5, he was well supported by Broad 3 for 28 and Ball 2 for 25.
Leach (Diglis) and Barnard (New Road) opened the Worcester bowling in poor light after lunch. Barnard bowled four overs for 14 before being replaced by Charlie Morris. In the 11th over Libby (9) edged Leach to Mitchell at second slip, 33 for one. Eleven runs later and in the 19th over, Mullaney was adjudged leg before to Josh Tongue for 28, umpire Illingworth taking a very long time to make the decision. The bells were now ringing from the Cathedral but the locals were up in arms as the usual 3 of clock cakefest in the ladies pavilion had been cancelled due to a burst pipe. A case of drizzle on Saturday but no lemon drizzle on Sunday. The 50 partnership between Nash and Taylor was brought up via a six over square leg by the Kiwi off Joe Leach. Tea was taken at 16 00 with Notts 106 for two with Taylor on 44 and Nash on 17, 34 overs had been bowled.
Nash (26) batted for 29 overs and 71 balls before losing his off stump to Leach, 122 for three. A determined effort from the former Sussex man. Ross Taylor reached his 50 with a single off Leach. Next over Taylor perished leg before to a delivery from Josh Tongue bowling from the Diglis End. His 50 contained 5 fours and a six off 78 balls, 126 for four. Taylor has been Notts best batsman in 2018, and has offered much more than the disappointing Pujara. Patel hit two fours but his poor run continued when he was leg before to Leach for 12, 138 for five. Wessels and Moores added a further 36 runs in seven overs before bad light stopped play at 1732 with 26.3 overs remaining unbowled. Notts 174 for five with Wessels on 26 and Moores on 6. Play recommenced at 1807 with nine overs lost. The 50 partnership between Wessels and Moores was achieved in 10 overs giving the Notts innings vital impetus. Wessels going for sweep off Barnard then lost his leg stump to depart for 36 (42 balls, 8 x 4) 193 for six. At 1834 play was again halted for bad light with nine overs still remaining. Notts 204 for six off 57 overs with Moores on 19 and Broad on 5. Play was called off for the day with 20 of the day's 104 overs lost. A good day for Notts who followed an excellent bowling performance with a gritty batting effort. Notts will look to bat for an hour tomorrow and try to bowl Worcester out in less than 60 overs to force a victory. MAG
Day 2
No play on Saturday because of rain
Day 1
Rain prevented any play.
With mojo restored, Stuart Broad is due to return playing for Notts and if he finds the kind of form that he had in New Zealand, he'll have the Pears dropping like flies.
From the eleven that has played so far this season, Luke Wood is the one that looks most likely to make way for the illustrious International but other changes could be in the mix too.
If skipper Mullaney's strain strain persists and he doesn't bowl, manoeuvring is likely to be limited in terms of adding an extra batsman however, ie Billy Root, but only a couple of the batters can claim that they deserve their spot on merit for form shown in the opening two games, but it's only April still, so Peter is unlikely to be swinging the axe yet.
New Road has been passed fit, before the showers of Wednesday anyway, but some pluvial further accumulation is forecast for the end of the week so disruptions are expected. Let's hope New Road's drains don't spew their contents again this weekend.
Notts have announced a 12 man squad for the trip to Worcestershire
Jake Libby,
Chris Nash,
Steven Mullaney (c),
Ross Taylor,
Samit Patel,
Riki Wessels
Billy Root
Tom Moores (wkt)
Luke Fletcher,
Stuart Broad,
Jake Ball
Harry Gurney
Leach (Diglis) and Barnard (New Road) opened the Worcester bowling in poor light after lunch. Barnard bowled four overs for 14 before being replaced by Charlie Morris. In the 11th over Libby (9) edged Leach to Mitchell at second slip, 33 for one. Eleven runs later and in the 19th over, Mullaney was adjudged leg before to Josh Tongue for 28, umpire Illingworth taking a very long time to make the decision. The bells were now ringing from the Cathedral but the locals were up in arms as the usual 3 of clock cakefest in the ladies pavilion had been cancelled due to a burst pipe. A case of drizzle on Saturday but no lemon drizzle on Sunday. The 50 partnership between Nash and Taylor was brought up via a six over square leg by the Kiwi off Joe Leach. Tea was taken at 16 00 with Notts 106 for two with Taylor on 44 and Nash on 17, 34 overs had been bowled.
Nash (26) batted for 29 overs and 71 balls before losing his off stump to Leach, 122 for three. A determined effort from the former Sussex man. Ross Taylor reached his 50 with a single off Leach. Next over Taylor perished leg before to a delivery from Josh Tongue bowling from the Diglis End. His 50 contained 5 fours and a six off 78 balls, 126 for four. Taylor has been Notts best batsman in 2018, and has offered much more than the disappointing Pujara. Patel hit two fours but his poor run continued when he was leg before to Leach for 12, 138 for five. Wessels and Moores added a further 36 runs in seven overs before bad light stopped play at 1732 with 26.3 overs remaining unbowled. Notts 174 for five with Wessels on 26 and Moores on 6. Play recommenced at 1807 with nine overs lost. The 50 partnership between Wessels and Moores was achieved in 10 overs giving the Notts innings vital impetus. Wessels going for sweep off Barnard then lost his leg stump to depart for 36 (42 balls, 8 x 4) 193 for six. At 1834 play was again halted for bad light with nine overs still remaining. Notts 204 for six off 57 overs with Moores on 19 and Broad on 5. Play was called off for the day with 20 of the day's 104 overs lost. A good day for Notts who followed an excellent bowling performance with a gritty batting effort. Notts will look to bat for an hour tomorrow and try to bowl Worcester out in less than 60 overs to force a victory. MAG
No play on Saturday because of rain
Day 1
Rain prevented any play.
With mojo restored, Stuart Broad is due to return playing for Notts and if he finds the kind of form that he had in New Zealand, he'll have the Pears dropping like flies.
From the eleven that has played so far this season, Luke Wood is the one that looks most likely to make way for the illustrious International but other changes could be in the mix too.
If skipper Mullaney's strain strain persists and he doesn't bowl, manoeuvring is likely to be limited in terms of adding an extra batsman however, ie Billy Root, but only a couple of the batters can claim that they deserve their spot on merit for form shown in the opening two games, but it's only April still, so Peter is unlikely to be swinging the axe yet.
New Road has been passed fit, before the showers of Wednesday anyway, but some pluvial further accumulation is forecast for the end of the week so disruptions are expected. Let's hope New Road's drains don't spew their contents again this weekend.
Notts have announced a 12 man squad for the trip to Worcestershire
Jake Libby,
Chris Nash,
Steven Mullaney (c),
Ross Taylor,
Samit Patel,
Riki Wessels
Billy Root
Tom Moores (wkt)
Luke Fletcher,
Stuart Broad,
Jake Ball
Harry Gurney
Another positive the less Broady bowls at New Road the more chance he will have of playing in the next 2 games at the Home of Cricket without the national hierarchy stressing over the fact he may be playing all 3 games on the bounce consecutively and who knows he may even be granted permisssion to play some Royal London stuff again too?
ReplyDeleteI like your positivity
DeleteYes great to see BIG fletch return a michelle(PFEIFFER) Very helpful conditions for the Bulwell Bomber but you've still got to bowl it in the right place so full credit to him Double Corset at his laconic best on commentary Good to see Nashy apply himself in difficult conditions IS Libby a concern (averaged a poor 25 in div 2 last year) already? One thing in his favour is he's got the best coach in county cricket in Pete Moores at his side
ReplyDeleteI N C R E D I B L E great reward for the supporters of the green n golds who braved a two day wash out Just got back from work to hear the commentary of Harry boy take the winning wicket Only found out about this superb fans blog from a certain MR DD at Lady Bay last week but extremely and impartial(considering we are all notts fans!!!!!) report into away days play for supporters who cannot always get to the away fixtures. Keep up the good work MAG
ReplyDeleteFantastic report and what a fantastic win.
ReplyDelete