Somerset Specsavers CC1 at Trent Bridge Loss

Day 3

SOMERSET PUT NOTTS OUT OF THEIR MISERY

Craig Overton hat trick hastens the mercy killing

Normal service was very much the flavour of the day as Notts surrendered meekly once more losing their last seven wickets for 69 runs in 107 minutes at sunny Trent Bridge this morning. Notts losing by an innings and 146 runs. 

Craig Overton became the second Somerset bowler to take a hat trick in the game removing Slater, Patel and Wessels. There had only been 18 instances of Somerset players taking hat tricks in first class cricket prior to this mismatch, but then two came in one game, 10% of the total. 

Notts have been Quite Pathetic

If ever anything could underline how bad Notts were in the last two and a bit days, this says it is all, quite pathetic. Five of the last six championship games have resulted in colossal defeats; an indicator of a team lacking ability, confidence and having fractured team spirit. In reality it's probably a combination of three but from the outside looking in Peter Moores often quoted remark of the players always “putting a shift in” seem rather hollow based on the number of times, Notts have given up on games. How many games have finished with Notts losing six, seven and eight wickets before the luncheon interval? All the fight shown in Taunton in June has long since evaporated. 

Changing Times

Times as we know are changing and the much needed impetus of new hungry players has probably upset the established order. But changes had to be made. The players have to go away and work hard in the winter, improve their fitness and the ability to catch the ball. Too many catches have even dropped this season particularly in the slip cordon.

The Overton twins opened up the bowling. In the second over Slater was caught at second slip by Trescothick off Craig Overton for 49, Slater being squared up by a brisk delivery, 119 for four. The lackadaisical Patel fell first ball caught by Trescothick to Craig Overton. Overton claimed his hat trick as Wessels fell the same way; Rumours suggest that this could be the last innings that Wessels plays for Notts, if this is the case a sad way to go for someone who have served the club so well over the last eight seasons. 

Trescothick had become only the third fielder to take all three catches in a hat trick ever; Old Man River is back once more next season. 

Notts had lost five wickets for five runs. 

Moores found the ropes and as a result the ball was changed. At 1135, Duckett was leg before to Gregory for 15, 149 for seven. Wood (4) lasted 16 balls before edging Gregory into Davies gloves, 157 for eight. Moores was caught at first slip by Hildreth off Davey for 17, 171 for nine. After two misses an agricultural heave saw Gurney off the mark with a boundary. Carter hit Craig Overton for a leg side four and six. At 1217 Carter was adjudged leg before to Josh Davey for 22. Notts 184 all out. Gurney 4 not out. Three wickets apiece for Craig Overton and Josh Davey. They were worthy runners up to Surrey, and the arrival of Jack Brooks will further enhance their championship prospects. 

Slump of alarming proportions

Notts meanwhile have taken 26 points from their last seven fixtures, 12 in one game against Yorkshire. Best put a blanket over the last three months of the 2018; it’s been an unmitigated disaster. A very LONG winter lies ahead as a much changed Notts reappear next April. 

Toodle pip everyone. Winter well. MAG
Day2

LANCASHIRE ARE RELEGATED

Notts survive in spite of shocking display

Notts remain in the first division for 2019 by the skin of their teeth with Lancashire failing to obtain their third batting point in Southampton, this despite another truly awful performance at Trent Bridge today. After letting Somerset add 110 runs to their overnight total in an hour, they collapsed inexplicably to 133 all out on a blameless pitch and then following on closed on 115 for three, still trailing 215 runs. 

On a day with near continuous clear blue skies, Notts gifted Somerset runs in the morning, the spinners tossing the ball up in the vain hope that Somerset batsmen holed out. Luckily Harry’s inspired spell last night saw us just over the line. On a surface where Notts had no slips in place with the 5th over of the second new ball yesterday, Somerset went through the brittle Notts batting line up like a hot knife through butter. The innings getting off to a terrible start when Libby played the worse shot imaginable to depart second ball. There then followed a 50 partnership featuring Ben Slater and Mullaney; Slater being the only Notts batsman all day who had the patience and technical nous to bat time in a pressurised situation. The Somerset bowlers faster, fuller and straighter than their Notts counterparts then tore through the Notts line up as Duckett, Carter and Gurney made golden ducks. Somerset skipper Tom Abell could not believe his luck as he took a hat trick all to slip catches on a wicket described by the Notts groundsman as a “road”. 

Shambolic return!

For the eighth time this season Notts obtained three or less points, a shambolic return. Luckily signings have been made to improve the team for next season but an opener is urgently required, the solidity of Brathwaite was sadly missed in this game along with a signing of an overseas bowler. Notts stayed up by virtue of the fixture list the three away games in April, all against their fellow relegation rivals with uncontested tosses proved crucial. The small squad have been fully exposed for lack of depth, the seamers are by and large knackered and the batting line up has had no competition for places which meant certain players were continually exposed eroding confidence and others became complacent knowing their places were safe. The team are in transition and any Notts supporter would have pleased with a sixth place finish in April, so warts and all and with huge dollop of lady luck it is very much the case of mission accomplished.

In the opening over of the morning Craig Overton hit Carter for a four and then a straight six. This set the tone for the first 15 minutes. Then Craig Overton (23) chipped Gurney to Wood at mid wicket who took an excellent catch low down, 394 for eight. Patel replaced Carter and was tossing them up, Somerset getting to 400 in the 105th over. Notts failed to get the crucial third bowling point as Somerset were 429 for eight off 110 overs. The 50 partnership between Jamie Overton and Davey took 49 balls. After rotating Carter and Patel, on came Fletcher from the Radcliffe Road. Jamie Overton reached 50 off 46 balls with a straight driven four off Patel now bowling from the Pavilion End. Fletcher got Davey leg before for 21, 457 for nine. The ninth wicket had added 63 runs in 11 overs. Jamie Overton fell the next over caught at long on by Carter off Patel for 55 (49 balls – 10 x 4). Somerset 463 all out. Gurney 6 for 106. Somerset had added 110 runs off 17.5 overs in an hour’s play.

Off the second ball of the reply, Libby played a quite dreadful shot wafting at Gregory and being caught at Craig Overton at slip, 0 for one. Slater and Mullaney then went on the attack racing to a 50 partnership off 59 balls. Three minutes before lunch Mullaney (18) edged Craig Overton to Hildreth at first slip, 50 for two. No runs were added as lunch was taken with Slater 29 and Duckett on 0.

The afternoon session was horrendous from a Notts perspective. On the first ball of the resumption Duckett was caught at slip by Trescothick off Craig Overton for a golden duck. Jamie Overton came on but went lame after just two balls, his over being completed by Lewis Gregory. Patel on 7 had a slice of luck when he edged between second and third slip off Craig Overton. Slater was all at sea after lunch and it was no surprise when Craig Overton bowled him for 35, 69 for four. Patel (16) edged to Davies as Gregory picked up in his second wicket, 73 for five. At 1402 the news came through that Lancashire were all out for 273, and had failed to gain the crucial third batting point, confirming their relegation. The crowd were cheering despite the execrable Notts batting performance! Wessels then departed shortly afterwards bowled by Craig Overton for 4, 85 for six. Tom Moores fell next over caught behind for 4, 85 for seven. Jamie Overton surprisingly returned to the field, as Fletcher drove him for four, 100 in the 29th over. Wood and Fletcher had a merry partnership of 48, but Somerset skipper put himself on and had Fletcher caught at second slip by Trescothick for 12, 133 for eight. Carter went for a golden duck caught by Hildreth at first slip as Abell picked up his second wicket. Abell then got his hat trick as Gurney edged to Craig Overton at fourth slip. Notts 133 all out off 35.3 overs. Wood 35 not out off 35 balls with seven fours; an innings of great heart. Craig Overton 4 for 27, Gregory 3 for 36 and Abell 3 for 0. 

Carbon copy

The match had followed the same pattern as the game at Taunton, where in the first innings Notts were 134 all out, Notts as then never saw off the new ball.

Tea was taken between the innings as Notts followed on, 40 overs remained in the day. Libby (12) lasted eight overs but once again failed to impress as he edged Davey on as first change to Craig Overton at first slip, 17 for one. Libby has shown no improvement from last year’s disappointing season in Division 2. Mullaney and Slater struggled but the 50 was achieved in the 19th over. Next over Mullaney hooked Jamie Overton for six in to The Fridge. Mullaney was dropped on 27 in the covers by Leach off Craig Overton. Slater and Mullaney got to the second 50 partnership of the day off 97 balls. The Notts 100 achieved in the 32nd over. Leach had his first twirl of the day in the 33rd over. Mullaney got to his 50 off 77 balls. The day was summed up as a truly awful shot by Mullaney with 20 balls left saw him caught by Gregory at slip off Leach for 54 (92 balls, 8 x 1, 1 x 6), 114 for two. The second wicket had added 97 runs. There was still time for night-watchman Fletcher to be caught in the gully off the last ball of the day for another quack, Jamie Overton the bowler. Slater remained 45 not out at the close off 104 balls with eight fours. Notts 115 for three off 39.1 overs.

 Let’s see some fight tomorrow.

The chasm between Surrey and Somerset and Notts is huge, a division within a division. Notts with seven huge defeats already this season, face another thrashing tomorrow. The last 28 championship games in September have resulted in a paltry total of two wins with another defeat likely tomorrow. 

Newell, Moores, Franks what's going on?

Somewhere in there is a message about general team preparation and team physical and mental fitness, because the above record is nothing short of disgraceful. A lot of hard work awaits in the winter. MAG

Day 1

FIVE STAR GURNEY KEEPS NOTTS IN THE HUNT AFTER HILDRETH TON

as Notts bag two points on Day 1

Somerset dominated the opening day of this crucial last fixture at Trent Bridge today closing on 353 for seven on an easy paced pitch. James Hildreth once again took a liking to the Notts attack plundering 137 in a day of near continuous sunshine, the right hander having been badly dropped by Mullaney when he had 30. He was well supported by Marcus Trescothick 71, Steve Davis with 55 and skipper Tom Abell with 42. Notts were thankful to the fit again Harry Gurney with a fine 5 for 66 off 23 overs. Gurney got life and movement out the wicket that the rest of the Notts attack could not find. Gurney a little off colour in recent championship games had made a return to form at exactly the right time. 

With Lancashire having a good opening day at Hampshire, Notts might need to score as many as 300 in their first innings to ensure their first division status, which would not be an easy task against a Somerset attack which on paper has more pace than their Notts counterparts. Wood bowled well in his opening spell, but disappointed later on. Fletcher bowled with a lot of heart, but looked a very tired man at the end of the day after a tiring season. Matt Carter made a welcome return to the line up but found little turn in the pitch and went for four an over. A day of hard toil for the Notts attack.

Wessels, Carter and Gurney came back in the eleven replacing Brathwaite, James and Footitt. Somerset won the toss and elected to bat. In the sixth over of the morning Wood got Tom Banton leg before for three, 8 for one. Banton is the son of former Notts right hander Colin who played for Notts in the 1995 season. Luke Fletcher bowled six overs for 23 from the Radcliffe Road End and on came Gurney. Wood bowled an excellent spell of 7-2-13-1 and gave way to Mullaney who was cover driven to the ropes by Trescothick to bring up the 50 in the 16th over. With the crowd in the Radcliffe Road down to their shirt sleeves, basking in an autumnal sun trap, experienced pair Trescothick and Azhar Ali got to the 50 partnership in 79 balls. Mullaney bowled three unthreatening overs for 14 as he turned to Carter. In the 23rd over Azhar Ali (19) edged Gurney and Wessels took the catch low down at second slip, 75 for two. Ten minutes before lunch Trescothick got to his half century off 90 balls. Somerset went to lunch on 100 for two off 32 overs with Trescothick on 55 and Hildreth on 12.

Somerset had the better of the middle session adding 137 runs for the loss of Trescothick. Fletcher was bowling in tandem with Carter straight after lunch, Hildreth hitting the off spinner for six over square leg. A lofted four for Hildreth off Carter brought up the 50 partnership in 88 balls. 

Costly drop by the Skipper

The following ball Hildreth was dropped on 30 off for Carter by Mullaney at first slip; a drop that would cost 107 runs. Gurney replaced Fletcher and with his first ball had Trescothick caught low down by Duckett in the covers. Trescothick 71 off 141 balls with 11 fours, 146 for three. A streaky four through slip by Hildreth saw him to 50 off 81 balls. The boundary also clocked up Hildreth’s 1000 championship runs for the season. The 50 partnership between Hildreth and Abell came up in 87 balls. Wood returned and a four for Hildreth brought up the 200 in the 61st over. Somerset got to tea on 237 for three off 68 overs with Hildreth on 90 and Abell on 42.

Juggling Skipper

Carter came on straight after tea, this time from the Radcliffe Road End and with his third ball had Abell (42) edging to the juggling Mullaney at slip who took the catch at the second attempt, 238 for four. The fourth wicket had added 92 in 22 overs. 

Moores dropped catch

The new ball was taken with Somerset standing at 264 for four after 80 overs and with the very first ball Moores dropped Davies down the leg side off Fletcher on 18. Davies got a single and Hildreth got his ton next ball off 165 balls. The 50 partnership between Hildreth and Davies took 87 balls. Hildreth was tucking into Wood as the 300 came up in the 84th over. Despite the ball being only four overs old, no slips were in place. The expensive Wood was replaced by Gurney. Fletcher who bowled 20 overs in the day asked the crowd whether they fancied a bowl on the unresponsive pitch; no volunteers came forward! But finally a wicket fell as Hildreth edged Gurney into Moores gloves to depart for 137 (203 balls 20 x 4 1 x 6), 328 for 5. Hildreth in 23 first class matches against Notts has seven tons and 1498 runs @46.81. The fifth wicket had added 90 in 23 overs. A four through backward point saw Davies to his 50 off 86 balls. Matt Carter returned from the Radcliffe Road End for the 95th over as Gregory hit him for an enormous straight six with the ball being lost in the process. Gurney picked up his fourth wicket as Gregory was strangled down the leg side caught by Moores for 10, 348 for six. Off the last ball of the day Gurney got the key wicket of Davies (55 – 96 balls with eight fours) as Moores got his third catch of the innings. Somerset closing on 353 for seven off 98 overs. If Notts get two wIckets in the first 12 overs tomorrow, Lancashire need to get 350 to maintain their hopes of survival, otherwise they will need to secure three batting points by scoring at least 300. Not necessarily an easy task for the Red Rose. This is based on the worst case scenario of Notts losing with zero batting points. The season is far from over! MAG

FIVE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER

Either gained by Notts, dropped by Lancs or a combo

Having been rescued by the weather last week against Champions Surrey, Somerset will be looking to finish strongly to cement their second place and the accompanying prize money in this final round of the 2018 season.

Notts will be looking for a solid performance, bagging bonus points and securing top flight status to justify their new trio of employees and to potentially attact others for Peter Moores' belated and badly needed rebuilding project and perhaps a quality overseas player.

Riki Returns as does the Pub Landlord but no James or Footitt

Squad news:

Jake Libby, 
Steven Mullaney (c), 
Riki Wessels, 
Harry Gurney, 
Luke Wood, 
Matt Milnes, 
Luke Fletcher, 
Matt Carter, 
Samit Patel, 
Tom Moores (wk), 
Ben Slater, 
Will Fraine, 
Jack Blatherwick
Ben Duckett.