Derbyshire BWT North at Trent Bridge - Loss REPORT

Day 4

DERBYSHIRE DESERVED VICTORS AS NOTTS SINK TO A NEW LOW

In a superb game of 4-day cricket Derbyshire gained a thoroughly deserved three wicket victory at Trent Bridge with a ball to spare at Trent Bridge today. It was their highest fourth innings run chase against a county team in their history. Standing on 240 for 6 at tea, some commentators wrote off their chances but on a very easy paced pitch they still only needed a manageable four an over. Notts were a bowler down as Joey Evison who had had a fine game had to go off the field with a foot injury, The captain lost the plot in the last hour with some very strange field placings that gifted Derbyshire runs. After tea he had decided he could not trust winter signing Barber and after initial  burst with the second new ball, Trego was also put out to grass; as the captain stuck to three bowlers Ball, Patel and himself. Jake Ball had a fine game and bowled extremely well today finishing with figures off 33.5-9-98-3 and did not deserve to be on losing side, it was a great to see him perform so well. Positives to take way from the game along with Ball were the performances of Hameed, Evison and Patel. Trego and Barber had disappointing debuts and not for the first time Duckett and Clarke failed to fire. The comments of the Head Coach at the end of the game seemed to contradict what we had seen on the excellent live stream.

 The difference between the two teams could be summed up quite clearly in one word APPLICATION. Derby despite only scoring 111 in the first two sessions knew that with the wicket offering little terror they could still successful chase the target, and never panicked. Only Matt Critchley today was culpable for his own dismissal, you then compare this to their Notts counterparts where too many upper order batsmen gave it away in all too familiar fashion.  

Sussex reject Fynn Hudson-Prentice led the way for the victors with a very composed 91 off 169 balls with 12 fours and was well supported with skipper Billy Godleman with 86 and a very patient 43 from Wayne Madsen. Due to light drizzle play got under way four minutes late under slate grey skies with the floodlights on. Evison (Pavilion End) and  Ball (Pavilion End) opened the bowling and neither batsman looked in too much trouble, Godleman hit Evison for four to bring the 100 partnership as rain stopped play with Derbyshire 136 for one off 39.4 overs at 1122. Play recommenced 11 minutes later. Godleman and Madsen played circumspectly in the gloomy conditions but in the 48th Godleman departed plumb leg before to a well pitched up ball from Evison, 146 for 2. Godleman 86 off 137 balls (10x4,1x6). Evison broke down four balls later with a foot injury and Patel had to complete the over. Mullaney introduced himself to the attack and Madsen got his first runs of the morning with an offside boundary. Barber came on for the next over and conceded five. In the 53rd over, du Plooy shuffled across his stump was out leg before to a swinging ball from Mullaney for 7, 165 for three. Barber failed to impress with four overs for 16 and was replaced on the stroke of lunch by Patel. Derbyshire 174 for three off 59 overs at lunch with Madsen on 42 and Critchley on 6.

 Trego (Pavilion End) and Ball opened after lunch and in fourth over of the resumption Madsen was leg before to Ball for a very patient 43, 180 for four. Ball was bowling well and he detonated Hosein's (3) off stump in the 67th over, 192 for five. Barber returned from the Pavilion End and Mullaney replaced Ball in the 73rd over as the sunshine appeared for the first time. Barber just could not get his line right to be threatening, Patel came on and with his second ball Hudson-Prentice hit him straight for four. Critchley and Hudson-Prentice went for steady accumulation against Mullaney and Patel, but on the stroke of tea Critchley (35) had a rush of blood and charged Patel and was stumped by a country mile by Moores, 234 for six. They added 42 runs in 21 overs. Derbyshire 240 for 6 off 88 overs on Hudson-Prentice on 32 and McKiernan on 2. The game was interestingly poised.

The new ball was taken two overs after tea with Derby 242 for 6 after 90 overs. After bowling four overs with the new ball and conceding 16 runs, Ball was replaced by Mullaney. Trego was replaced by Patel as Derby stood on 279 for 6 off 101 overs. Hudson-Prentice got to his 50 off 120 balls with a single off Patel which also brought up the 50 partnership for the 7th wicket with McKiernan. Hudson-Prentice hit back to back boundaries off Mullaney and stood at 296 for six off 106 overs as the game entered the last hour. Having seen off the second new ball, Derbyshire were now clear favourites.

 Costly drop

Mullaney had no choice to bring back Ball. Hudson-Prentice was dropped by Mullaney diving to left at second slip, a difficult chance off Ball when on 61. Off the last ball of the over McKiernan (20) played on to Ball, 299 for 7. Cohen, confident from the off, hit Ball to the boundary, Derbyshire needed 58 off 10 overs, which was whittled down to 34 off six. Patel then conceded seven. A short delivery from Ball was pulled for four by Hudson-Prentice. A lofted four by Hudson-Prentice off Patel achieved the 50 partnership and Derby were almost home. Derby needed five off the last over and got home with a ball to spare as the impressive left hander Cohen (30 not out) hit the winning runs. A very deserved victory for a team very well coached by David Houghton. The lionhearted Ball sanked to his knees after putting everything in, a great game of cricket but Derbyshire with a patched up bowling unit very much the deserved victors. Notts had lost their sixteenth game in a winless run now standing at 22 games over a 26 months period. I will leave up to the readers of this report as to whether you think that qualifies us under the category of “ a p*** poor county”

 They don't know what they're doing(?)

With Leicester winning against Lancashire, Notts even at this early stage, seemed destined for bottom place with a bowling attack already looking exceeding threadbare, whatever happened to last year’s find Liam Patterson-White? The Leicester victory was set up by player sent on loan from Notts who was dropped in favour of 37 year old veteran in his last year of his contract.  This coupled with the idiotic decision to send Patel in at eight does not really show the club’s management in a very good light. I wonder whether we might have scored more runs if Patel had come higher up.

 The club lost many seasoned members during the winter after the committee failed to heed to their supporters wishes for change. So this defeat coupled with muddled thinking at the top, begs the question with the 10 August deadline looming as to how many members will ask for a refund? This defeat could prove more costly than just a hit to the team morale….. MAG

So were promises kept?

• to improve on last season's abysmal form NO
• to make members proud DEFINITELY NOT
• streaming will be better than the static cameras of previous summers and watchable IMPROVEMENT YES BUT NOT TV QUALITY, perhaps engage a new commentator, as DB is a bit like Marmite

Date (last day)	Opposition	Venue	Toss	Result	Bat’	Bowl’	Total points
29 June 2018	WORC’SHIRE	TB	U	D	4	3	12
23 July 2018	SURREY	TB	U	LI183R	1	2	3
22 Aug 2018	Hampshire	Rose Bowl	U	L270R	-	3	3
31 Aug 2018	Surrey	The Oval	U	LI125R	-	3	3
07 Sep 2018	YORKSHIRE	TB	U	D	5	2	12
13 Sep 2018	ESSEX	TB	W	L8W	-	3	3
26 Sep 2018	SOMERSET	TB	L	LI146R	-	2	2
08 Apr 2019	YORKSHIRE	TB	U	D	4	3	12
13 Apr 2019	SOMERSET	TB	U	LI14R	2	3	4*
16 May 2019	Essex	Chelmsford	W	L8W	-	3	3
23 May 2019	Hampshire	Newclose	U	L244R	1	3	4
06 June 2019	Warwickshire	Edgbaston	L	D	-	1	6
12 June 2019	HAMPSHIRE	WELBECK	U	D	-	-	5
20 June 2019	Kent	Tunbridge Wells	U	L285R	2	3	5
03 July 2019	ESSEX	TB	W	LI123R	1	1	2
09 July 2019	Somerset	Taunton	L	L132R	1	3	4
15 July 2019	SURREY	TB	L	L167R	-	3	3
21 Aug 2019	Yorkshire	Scarborough	U	L143R	-	3	3
12 Sep 2019	KENT	TB	L	L227R	-	3	3
19 Sep 2019	WARWICKSHIRE	TB	L	L8W	5	1	6
26 Sep 2019	Surrey	The Oval	L	D	-	2	7
04 Aug 2020	Derbyshire	TB (away**)	L	L3W	3	3	6

 History Awaits?

History would favour Notts, Derbyshire don't chase down 365 as a rule but the circumstances of this game do point to a successful result for the Peakites today (if you have your negative, Notts can't win ever, our bowlers need to go back to school, hat on). 

Untrouble through the session last night, Godleman and Madsen only need to bat another session without mishap and the rest ought to be able to complete the job.

The last three Derbyshire wickets have currently put on 206/2...

But, there is a long way to go and with that an opportunity for a Notts bowler or two to stand-up and to be noticed. History favours the brave as someone once said (?)

Derbyshire's highest fourth inning scores:

396	Derbyshire v Leicestershire	Grace Road, Leicester	2007	Lost by 28 runs
371-9	Derbyshire v Australians	County Ground, Derby	1997	Won by one wicket
365	Derbyshire v Surrey	Queen's Park, Chesterfield	2010	Lost by 42 runs
350-3	Derbyshire v Northamptonshire	County Ground, Derby	1982	Won by 7 wickets

Trego along with Barber have points to prove, to justify their selection or even why they are on the Notts books in the first place!! Neither have shown much in this game to endear them to watching-remotely Notts supporters who, if we were allowed to be there, would have been shouting "words of wisedom" at them for much of this game.

Day 3

GODLEMAN AND MADSEN SET PERFECT PLATFORM

WITH THE GAME NOW DERBYSHIRE'S TO LOSE?

Experienced pair Billy Godleman (69 not out) and Wayne Madsen (27 not out) have manoeuvred Derbyshire into a winning position adding an unbroken 96 for the second wicket this opening Bob Willis Trophy fixture at Trent Bridge as the Peakites are now favourites to win. Requiring 365 for victory, Derbyshire lost Luis Reece to a poor shot, but on an easy paced featherbed pitch against an unthreatening and two cases a novice Notts attack, the two batsmen made untroubled progress to 129 for one at the close, needing a further 236 for victory. Notts had earlier added 195 to their overnight score. It could have been much worse at Notts stumbled to 150 for seven as Trego and Moores joined Duckett and Clarke in failing twice against a very wholehearted Derbyshire attack that on paper looked little better than a Notts Premier League attack. Enter Samit once more who looked head and shoulders above his batting colleagues hitting a superb 80 and he was well supported by Joey Evison (31) and Jake Ball (22) as they helped add 74 and 55 respectively for the eighth and ninth wickets; helped in must be said by skipper Godleman spreading out his field in exactly the same manner as Mullaney did yesterday. Earlier Hameed had followed up his first innings 63 to score 52 in a perfect exhibition of a batsman being able to bat time, something that Notts had needed badly in recent seasons.

Play got underway with Reece (Pavilion End) and Conners (Radcliffe Road End). The 50 partnership between Hameed and Mullaney came in the second over of the morning. In the 35th over, Mullaney pulled Conners for six into The Fridge and hit him for a four through extra cover. In the next over a ball from Reece popped up and found the edge of Mullaney's bat and he was caught by McKiernan in the gully, probably the only ball that misbehaved all day. Mullaney had made 48 off 65 balls (8x4,1x6), 116 for 4, the fourth wicket had added 75 runs. Aitchison came on in the next over and bowled a maiden. Trego hit him for two fours in his following over but departed in his next over caught at second slip by Matt Critchley for eight, 127 for five. Hameed got to his 50 off 125 balls with a single off Aitchison. Moores, who never looked in, threw his wicket way mistiming a pull shot  off Cohen being well caught by Reece at mid on for seven,  140 for six. Hameed long innings came to end when he was caught in the gully by McKiernan off Aitchison for 52 (143 balls,7x4), 150 for seven. Patel batting ludicrously low at eight hit three successive fours off Cohen, 15 off the over. Notts went to lunch on 172 for 7 off  56 overs with Patel on 27 and Evison on 2.

 A shower over lunch delayed the second session by four minutes. Patel and Evison brought up their 50 run partnership off 58 balls. Leg spinner Critchley came into the attack in the 64th over and his first ball a full toss was deposited for a boundary through the covers by Patel. Evison went for 31 caught at second slip by Critchley off Aitchison,  224 for eight. The 8th wicket partnership  had added 74 runs. Evison is extremely promising cricketer. Patel reached his 50 off 40 balls with a single  off leg spinner Mattie McKiernan. Ball hit McKiernan for two successive fours. Patel then took two consecutive fours off Aitchison to take Notts past 250. An exquisite late cut from Ball off Critchley saw Notts to a 350 lead. Patel then launched Critchley for a huge straight six. Next over a straight driven four by Ball off Reece brought up the 50 partnership for the ninth wicket. Patel finally departed leg before to Critchley for 80 off 94 balls (10x4, 1x6), 279 for nine.  The ninth wicket stand was worth 55 runs. Ball fell next over caught behind off Cohen for 22, Notts 279 all out. Tea was taken between the innings. Aitchison 3 for 55 and Conners 3 for 63 the leading bowlers.

Derbyshire required 365 to win and Ball (Radcliffe Road End) and Trego (Pavilion End) took the new ball but carried no threat. Reece smashed a short ball from Ball for six in the seventh over, the over costing 13. Reece (24 from 21 balls) though gave it away he crisply drove Trego to Ball at mid on who took the catch low down, 33 for one. Trego's maiden first-class wicket for Notts. After bowling six overs for 30 Jake Ball was replaced by Joey Evison. Barber came on the 16th over as Derby reached 50. The former Middlesex man radar was decidedly wayward, including bowling including one off side wide that went to the boundary, Notts were desperate for a wicket as Ball returned for the 23rd over replacing Evison (5 overs for 22). Patel came on next over to the replace Barber (4 overs for 23), Godleman hit his first ball for six over mid wicket and slogged sweeped his next ball for four, he finished the over with a boundary, 16 off the over, Derbyshire reaching 100 and Godleman for 50. Cue a pow wow from the captain as all the tea, joined a socially distanced huddle. With five overs remaining Trego came on from the Radcliffe Road End, but never threatened in a two over burst.  The last over was bowled by Steven Mullaney but no wicket was forthcoming as Derbyshire closed on 129 for one off 35 overs.

Notts must take early wickets tomorrow morning as they desperately try to halt their humiliating 26 month run without a first-class victory. Jake Ball and that man Patel are probably be the key men in a Notts attack that includes two men in Barber and Evison that have five first-class wickets between them, all take in this game.

 Congratulations to Ben Slater who scored 172 against Lancashire today at New Road whilst on loan to Leicestershire. The Red Rose County decimated with international call ups and injuries  having three first-class bowling debutants in their line up and the left hander took full advantage. Will he return to Notts line up on Saturday? MAG

Day 2

DU PLOOY TON KEEPS GAME IN THE BALANCE

On a topsy turvey day at Trent Bridge Notts lead Derbyshire by 169 runs with seven second innings wickets intact. A fiery and impressive spell by Jake Ball removed the Derbyshire top three (Reece, Godleman and Madsen) in the first 35 minutes for 26 runs, but then a partnership of 93 between man of the day Leus du Plooy (130) and Matt Critchley (45) steadied the ship. Off the first ball of the afternoon session a crazy mix up between the two Derby batsmen saw Critchley run out. Joey Evison then filleted  the middle order and when the erratic Tom Barber removed numbers 9 and 10. Derby stood at 159 for nine with Du Plooy still at the crease. Unfortunately the field was spread and with the Notts bowlers seemingly forgetting to bowl a straight well-pitched deliveries du Plooy took full advantage as he added 80 for the last wicket with Sam Conners. When Notts went in, Nash and Duckett were out to awful shots and with Clarke leg before once more, Notts slipped to 41 for three, all three wickets to Conners, who started life at Attenborough CC, but then Mullaney and the impressive Hammed battened down the hatches to leave the match delicately poised. The pitch is lacking pace and is playing well and Notts will be looking for a lead of 350 plus.

 Ball and Trego opened up this morning and with the second ball of the third over of the day Reece tickled Ball to Moores behind the wicket to depart for a 16 ball duck, 14 for 1. In his next over, the impressive Ball had Godleman (18) caught behind by Moores, 19 for two. In the 13th over, Ball had Wayne Madsen caught in the gully by Chris Nash for a 13 ball duck, 26 for three. Matt Critchley hit Jake Ball for three successive fours in the 17th over as Derby fought back. Next over Evison replaced Trego from the Pavilion End and then Mullaney replaced Ball who had an opening spell of 7-2-21-3. Off the last three balls of the 22nd overs du Plooy hit Evison for three successive fours. After a three over burst he was replaced by debutant Tom Barber. The fifty partnership between du Plooy and Critchley came up via boundary for the latter off Barber. After a six-over spell which cost eight runs, the captain withdrew himself and back came Ball. Derbyshire got to 100 in the 32nd over off the brisk but erratic Barber who next over conceded five wides; his six over spell costing 38 runs. Derbyshire got to lunch 119 for three off 34 overs with du Plooy on 46 and Critchley on 45.

 The first ball after lunch saw a terrible mix up between Critchley and non striker du Plooy with Ball the bowler. Critchley hit the ball on the leg side and set off for a non-existent run but a dreadful throw from Patel went over Moores head. Critchley who had just about given up was run out by Mullaney who picked up the wayward throw and knocked down the stumps from around eight yards with Critchley still short of his ground. Hosein was then out next over plumb leg before for Evison for a 4 ball one, 120 for five. Du Plooy got to a 93 ball half century with a single off Evison. Evison picked up his second first-class wicket as Hudson-Prentice departed leg before for 8, 132 for 6. The former Sussex man batted with Wayne Madsen as his runner due to a thigh problem. McKiernan lasted just six balls, flashing hard to Evison he was well caught by Hameed above his head in the gully for a duck, 134 for seven. Trego replaced Ball from the Radcliffe Road End and Barber came on for Evison after the 18 year-old had a spell of 6-1-13-3. Barber picked up his maiden first-class wicket removing Michael Cohen's off stump, the left hander out for seven, 149 for eight. Barber found the edge of debutant Ben Aitchison (8) bat and Mullaney took a regulation catch low at second slip, 159 for nine. 

 Then the game took another twist, Mullaney started setting silly fields and Notts over did the short stuff to du Plooy who hit three fours off four balls off Barber. Patel belated came on  from the Radcliffe Road  End and for the next over Ball from the Pavilion End but du Plooy hit him for four and huge six over long on to reach his 100 off 144 balls. After two innocuous overs from Patel to Conners, Barber returned but proved expensive. The runs kept coming Ball being hit for successive sixes by du Plooy. Mullaney and Patel then bowled in tandem. Tea was delayed and then finally the tenth wicket was taken at 1649 when du Plooy mistimed Patel and Evison took a fine catch running towards the boundary from mid off. Du  Plooy out for a brilliant 130 off 177 balls (11x4, 3x6); he has proved a fine signing for Derbyshire. Conners proving he is no Harry Gurney with 5 not out off 55 balls. The tenth wicket had added a record partnership for the fixture of 80 beating by six the 74 added by Harold Rhodes and Alan Ward exactly 51 years ago at Ilkeston. Derbyshire 239 all out off 71 overs, Evison 3 for 38, Ball 3 for 71 and Barber 15-1-71-2. Notts lead restricted to 85 runs. Trego who opened the bowling was wicketless in his 13 overs.

 Chris Nash was dismissed in dreadful fashion to the second ball of the innings being comprehensively bowled missing an extravagant pull shot to a ball that did not get up by Conners (Radcliffe Road End), 0 for one.  Aitchison bowled two overs from the Pavilion End and then switched ends and replaced Conners for the seventh over. Duckett (23) also fell to a poor shot being strangled down the leg side by Conners, 39 for two in the 13th over. Clarke (2) only lasted ten balls before falling plumb leg before pulling across the line as Conners picked up his third wicket, 41 for three. Mullaney(27 not out)  joined Hameed (30 not out) and they added an unbeaten 43 as Notts closed on 84 for three off 29 overs at the ridiculously late time of 1927. The morning session will be crucial tomorrow as a rookie attack bowls against a batting line up which is always potentially one wicket away from spontaneous combustion. MAG

Day 1

ROLLERCOASTER FIRST NOTTS INNINGS OF THE BOB WILLIS TROPHY

County Cricket returned for the first time in ten months as Derbyshire, the home team, by the Bob Willis Trophy fixture list, visited Trent Bridge as the County Ground has been given over to the England's women team. The world has been turned upside down in the last six months, but one thing Coronavirus cannot stop is a Notts batting collapse which duly arrived with the score on 111 for nought, it became 160 for seven as Derbyshire inexperienced attack started to get the ball to swing as the morning sunshine changed to a cloudy afternoon.  

After a heavy shower extended tea to seventy minutes Notts fought back well in the last session as Samit Patel, batting ridiculously low at eight hit an entertaining 63 and was well supported by Joey Evison (38) and Jake Ball (34). The highlight of the day was a debut 68 for Haseeb Hameed who batted throughout the morning session with Chris Nash (59).

Before play commenced Hameed received his Notts cap as Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bowl. The visitors were without key pair Tony Palladino and Ravi Rampaul, the former is taking a break from cricket at the moment and the latter is due to arrive from Trinidad soon. 

Haseeb Hameed, Pete Trego and Tom Barber were making their Notts first-class debuts with Zak Chappell omitted from the twelve. Last year’s leading wicket taker Luke Fletcher was missing with a side strain. Derbyshire opened the bowling with the inexperienced pairing of Sam Conners from Stapleford (Radcliffe Road End) and debutant Ben Aitchison formerly of Lancashire Academy and Cheshire (Pavilion End) but they generally wasted the new ball with an erratic display probably hindered with nerves. Luis Reece replaced Aitchison in the eighth over and then Fynn Hudson-Prentice came on in the 11th over. A straight driven four by Nash off Reece brought up the 50 partnership in the 12th over, the next ball was hit through extra cover by Nash. Aitchison returned from the Pavilion End and his first ball was very much a loosener and was pulled for six by Nash over square leg. Hameed hit three fours off the 21st over bowled by Hudson-Prentice. Conners replaced Fynn Hudson-Prentice for the 23rd over and a short ball was pulled for three by Nash who brought his fifty off 69 balls. There was a stoppage, as a ball from Aitchison reared up and hit keeper Harvey Hosein on his right finger. The Notts hundred came up in the 27th over via a four by Hameed. Notts got to lunch on 109 for 0 off 28 overs with Nash on 57 and Hameed on 45, having made relatively untroubled progress. 

The game turned in the middle session. Conners opened up after lunch and with his fifth ball a well pitched up ball saw Nash plumb leg before for 59 off 86 balls (7x4,1x6), the first wicket had amassed 111 runs. This was the first hundred partnership in county tirst-class cricket for Notts since Kraigg Brathwaite and Ben Slater added 108 versus Essex at Trent Bridge in 2018. In the previous game the same pair had added 182 for the opening wicket against Yorkshire, also at Trent Bridge. Duckett (9) lasted only 17 balls before edging Aitchison low down to Leus du Plooy at second slip who took the catch, 124 for two.  In the same over Hameed got to his half ton in 112 balls with a four all the along the deck through the extra cover region. Left arm seamer Michael Cohen came on for the 30th over. Cohen was making his debut for Derbyshire having previously played first class cricket for Cape Cobras and Western Province in his native South Africa. Cohen had played two trial games for Notts Seconds at York and Harrogate last season having combined figures of one for 119. With his ninth ball he had Clarke (8) caught behind by Hosein, 147 for three, the right hander flashing hard outside his off stump. Luis Reece picked up the fourth wicket with he had Hameed leg before for 68 (143 balls, 12 x 4), 159 for four. Trego got a single off his first ball and then Mullaney was caught in the gulley by Mattie McKiernan as Reece captured his second wicket in three balls, 160 for five.  Cohen picked up his second wicket when Trego was caught behind for one, 160 for six. Notts had lost four wickets in 3.5 overs. Hudson-Prentice replaced Cohen from the Radcliffe Road End and the second over his spell had Moores put down on five by keeper Hosein diving in front of first slip Wayne Madsen. Moores’ scratchy innings ended 15 as he edged Hudson-Prentice as Hosein took a regulation catch, 192 for seven. A leg side single for Patel brought Notts their first batting point in the 57th over. An umpiring error from Messrs Mallender and Pollard saw tea taken two overs too early at 1600, Notts 209 for 7 off 58 overs with Patel on 23 and Evison on 5. It had been very much Derbyshire’s session, Notts losing seven wickets for 100.

There was a heavy shower during the tea break and six overs were lost out of 90 over allocation when play resumed at 1711 in bright sunshine. Samit Patel came out and attacked the Derbyshire bowling and reached an entertaining 50 off 59 balls with eight fours with a four off Cohen. Another boundary followed as the 50 partnership with Joey Evison. Another two boundaries followed as Notts reached 250. Patel became Cohen's third victim caught at first slip by Madsen. Patel 63 off 70 balls with 11 fours, 253 for eight. The eighth wicket had added 61 runs in 10 overs.

Ball greeted Critchley for four and then two successive sixes over long off and extra cover. Ball continued to score freely and a six over extra cover off Critchley by Evison saw Notts to 300 and simultaneously brought up the 50 partnership. Next over Evison smashed a huge six over long off, Reece the bowler.

Mattie McKiernan came on bowling leg spin and picked up a wicket with his fifth ball as Evison was caught at mid wicket by skipper Billy Godleman for 38 off 59 balls (3x4,2x6), 321 for nine. McKiernan finished with 2 for 3 as in his next over he bowled Ball making room for 34 off 55 balls, Notts 324 off 77.2 overs. Cohen the pick of the bowlers of 3 for 47. Derbyshire despite putting Notts in would be happy given the novice nature of their attack to restrict Notts to a below par total on a wicket that the Green and Golds should have made 400 plus. The batting order needs rejigging with Patel at six, Trego at seven, Evison at eight and Moores at nine seemingly a much more sensible option.

Derby had four overs to bat as Ball (Radcliffe Road End) and Trego (Pavilion End)  took the  new ball but openers Godleman (9 not out) and Reece who has yet to score easily negotiated the 24 balls they faced. Derbyshire have a strong top four as it is vital that Notts take early wickets tomorrow morning.

Apart from missing Hameed’s dismissal which could be seen later, the live stream worked well, so congratulations to all concerned for setting this up. MAG

Steven Mullaney

Chris Nash

Haseeb Hameed

Joe Clarke

Ben Duckett

Samit Patel

Peter Trego

Tom Moores

Joey Evison

Zak Chappell

Tom Barber

Jake Ball

Preview

Promises, promises .... 

promises have been made: 

• to improve on last season's abysmal form
• to make members proud
• streaming will be better than the static cameras of previous summers and watchable

An improvement shouldn't be too challenging, as they were collectively so very, very poor. last season.

Making members proud, might be dependant on how individuals' attitudes project on to the screen: TV, computer monitor, tablet or phone, as we're unable to see in person. Actions do speak louder than words and we were fed a diet of empty assurances and excuses last year to see us through a whole extra year of bland, meaningless text book soundbites.

Showtime tomorrow - an "away game", at Trent Bridge as Derbyshire are in a self-imposed exile.

Ben Slater won't be in the squad, once it's announced as he commenses a two week loan spell with Leicestershire tomorrow. 

Just a reminder that Nottinghamshire remain shamefully winless in First Class Cricket since 23rd June 2018

Date (last day)	Opposition	Venue	Toss	Result	Bat’	Bowl’	Total points
29 June 2018	WORC’SHIRE	TB	U	D	4	3	12
23 July 2018	SURREY	TB	U	LI183R	1	2	3
22 Aug 2018	Hampshire	Rose Bowl	U	L270R	-	3	3
31 Aug 2018	Surrey	The Oval	U	LI125R	-	3	3
07 Sep 2018	YORKSHIRE	TB	U	D	5	2	12
13 Sep 2018	ESSEX	TB	W	L8W	-	3	3
26 Sep 2018	SOMERSET	TB	L	LI146R	-	2	2
08 Apr 2019	YORKSHIRE	TB	U	D	4	3	12
13 Apr 2019	SOMERSET	TB	U	LI14R	2	3	4*
16 May 2019	Essex	Chelmsford	W	L8W	-	3	3
23 May 2019	Hampshire	Newclose	U	L244R	1	3	4
06 June 2019	Warwickshire	Edgbaston	L	D	-	1	6
12 June 2019	HAMPSHIRE	WELBECK	U	D	-	-	5
20 June 2019	Kent	Tunbridge Wells	U	L285R	2	3	5
03 July 2019	ESSEX	TB	W	LI123R	1	1	2
09 July 2019	Somerset	Taunton	L	L132R	1	3	4
15 July 2019	SURREY	TB	L	L167R	-	3	3
21 Aug 2019	Yorkshire	Scarborough	U	L143R	-	3	3
12 Sep 2019	KENT	TB	L	L227R	-	3	3
19 Sep 2019	WARWICKSHIRE	TB	L	L8W	5	1	6
26 Sep 2019	Surrey	The Oval	L	D	-	2	7

* Deducted 1 point for slow over rate

Derbyshire squad

1. Billy Godleman
10. Luis Reece
77. Wayne Madsen
76. Leus du Plooy
16. Harvey Hosein
18. Alex Hughes
20. Matt Critchley
21. Mattie McKiernan
33. Fynn Hudson-Prentice
59. Sam Conners
8. Michael Cohen
11. Ben Aitchison

Nottinghamshire host Derbyshire tomorrow as First-Class cricket makes its return - and you can watch all the action online for free with our multi-camera live stream at trentbridge.co.uk.

Our live coverage will allow you to welcome a taste of Trent Bridge into your home, with multi-camera footage, action replays, in-play statistics and post-match reaction at the conclusion of each matchday.

Whilst nothing can quite replicate a day at our hallowed home, we hope that you find our revamped coverage to be the next best thing.

IT'S FIRST CLASS- BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT!

Notts have supplied a handy reminder of conditions for the Bob Willis Trophy

The competition will have First-Class status, however some alterations to the usual County Championship playing conditions have been made to accomodate circumstances relating to COVID-19:

Playing conditions

• A day's play will consist of a minumum of 90 overs - down from 96.
• Each county’s first innings of a match can last no longer than 120 overs
• The follow-on will increase from 150 to 200 runs
• The new ball will be available after 90 overs rather than 80 overs

Loans

The loan system has been relaxed this summer so that counties can loan a player from another county for a minimum of one week.

Points system

During the Bob Willis Trophy, points awarded for a draw will be increase from five (as in the County Championship) to eight points. All other points scoring will remain the same as in the County Championship. The change in points awarded for a draw is to help mitigate against the impact of weather during a shortened competition.

Tie-breaker in final

In the event of a drawn final, the county that leads on first innings (as long as there were two fully-completed first innings) would be deemed the winner of the final. In any other circumstances a drawn or tied final will result in the trophy being shared by the finalists.

County Championship

The Bob Willis Trophy is a separate competition to the County Championship. Results in the Bob Willis Trophy will have no bearing on the divisions for next summer’s County Championship.