Leicestershire BWT at Grace Road Draw REPORT

 

Day 4

FRANCIS ARRIVES, HARRY SWINDELLS, MATCH DRAWN

Despite the appearance of Storm Francis there was time for 22.2 overs at Grace Road today. With gale force winds it was awkward for the players and officials to actually stand up and for most of the play the bails was dispensed with; the end result of the shenigans was predictable Match Drawn. Notts will rue the five drop catches on Saturday which probably gave the Foxes 75 runs on their final first innings total. The home side, having finished bottom of all three competitions last season, put out their youngest ever team in this fixture and will be pleased with their performance against their near neighbours who now gone 25 matches without a win against first-class opposition. But Notts should stand tall as for first time since June 2019 they have managed to go two first-class fixtures without losing. Notts, with a huge help from the elements managed to get successive draws at Edgbaston and Welbeck.

Play started at 1415 with 52 overs remaining in near farcical conditions with winds gusting over 50 mph. Chappell (Bennett End) and Trego (Pavilion End) opened the bowling today. After nine balls and seven minutes play rain stopped play with Leicestershire 148 for 3 off 70.3 overs with Ackermann on 63 and Rhodes on 4. Play resumed at 1432 with two overs lost. Trego bowling off only four paces and running into gale got Ackermann leg before to an in swinger for 65 off 159 balls (9x4), 150 for 4. It was the only wicket of the day for Notts. Swindells hit Trego for successive fours in the 77th over and was immediately replaced by Patel. After a six-over spell, Chappell was replaced by Barber from the Bennett End. Rhodes got his first runs of the day, a single off Patel in the 83rd over. Leicestershire reached their 200 in the 86th over. Rain stopped play just before tea with Leicester 205 for 4 off 86.2 overs with Swindells on 35 and Rhodes on 12. It was just a brief shower and no play was lost.

The new ball was taken with Leicestershire 223 for 4 after 90 overs. Swindells hit Trego for three boundaries and a two off the 91st over. Rain stopped play two balls later at 1621 and the teams immediately agreed to call the match a draw. Leicestershire 237 for 4 off 91.2 overs with Rhodes on 22 not out and Harry Swindells on a career best 52 not out. Leicester had a lead of 116 and so the result was nowhere near as clear cut as implied in some media sources. Notts’ bowling lacked bite throughout the Leicestershire second innings. Tom Moores conceded 20 byes in the innings as he constantly struggled against the quick and ever wayward Tom Barber. Notts take 14 points from the contest.

It's now time for Dan Christian to take the reins for the next ten days as the baseball season is upon us. The final game of the Bob Willis Trophy starts on Sunday 6 September with Durham the opponents at Trent Bridge. It’s the “wooden spoon” decider with Notts currently leading Durham by 15 points. Let battle commence! MAG

A quarter century of games without a win now, will anyone take responsibility?

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
11 Aug 2020	YORKSHIRE	TB	L	L90R	4	3	7
18 Aug 2020	Lancashire	TB (away**)	L	D	5	3	16
25 Aug 2020	Leicestershire	Grace Road	W	D	3	3	14

Day 3

LYNDON SHINES AS FRANCIS LOOMS

With a bagful of rain forecast for tomorrow, courtesy of Storm Francis, and Leicestershire now leading with 22 runs with 7 second innings wickets still standing, Notts winless run currently standing at 793 days appears set to continue. Lyndon James apart, this was a disappointing day for Notts. Clearly needing quick runs because of the dire forecast they attacked the Leicester bowling too early and too hard this morning. The Leicester bowling throughout has been fairly mediocre with two or three poor balls an over. Instead of waiting for these poor balls the Notts batsman tried to hit all of them out the ground. The wicket is on the slow side and it difficult for batsman to time the ball. The one exception being Lyndon James who timed the ball better than anyone on show today in his 36 not out. He should have been given his chance before this game but hopefully the management have now seen he is a player with great potential. Ben Mike on his 22^nd birthday picked up three wickets for Leicester. He like Lyndon is very much work in progress, but he should be wearing the Green and Gold along with Hassan Azad, a situation brought about by poor management within the Notts organisation which preferred signing journeymen instead of investing in local talent; a very sad state of affairs which hopefully is beginning to change. When Leicester batted the wicket appeared to have flattened out, and the swing that the Notts bowlers obtained on Saturday was not apparent today. The workhorse Trego removed Azad and then Dearden was picked up leg before by the captain after he had dropped him half an hour earlier. Ackermann and the obdurate opener Sam Evans then dug in 36 overs until Hameed bagged a smart catch at short leg as the shadows lengthened. The inexperienced Barber was given a long bowl, but remains very raw with too many balls being wasted as the batsman does not have to play them.

Notts added 122 runs for the loss of six wickets in a helter-skelter morning session comprising of 26.4 overs. Off the second ball of the day Joe Clarke (2) top edged an attempted pull shot off a short ball from Ben Mike to Gavin Griffiths at mid on, 221 for three. A quite awful shot. An edged four through the slips by Duckett saw Notts into the lead. Mullaney on 2 was dropped at backward point a difficult chance low down by Sam Evans off Tom Taylor. Notts achieved their second batting bonus point in the 82nd over bowled by Mike. Alex Evans came from the Bennett End in the 83rd over. Duckett (37) was out the following over, pulling a short ball from Mike he was well caught by Harry Dearden running from deep square leg along the boundary ropes, 258 for four. Patel was promoted up the order to six. Mullaney (18) was next to go dragging on an attempted pull shot and losing his off stump as Mike picked up his third wicket of the morning, 260 for five. Just prior to the new ball, Colin Ackermann came on the 90th over. The new ball was taken straight away with Notts 282 for five and Taylor bowled Patel (13) with the first ball with the new cherry losing his middle stump to a ball that kept low. The last ball of the over was smashed for six by Trego into the Milligan Road. Tom Moores (5) was next one to go playing a dreadful shot and losing his off stump to Griffiths, 293 for seven. Three leg side deliveries from Taylor were all deposited to the boundary by James as Notts reached 300 in the 93rd over. Lyndon James was timing the ball well, and his senior partner depositing Taylor for six onto the Milligan Road. James contributed 36 off 32 balls (3x4,1x6) to a partnership of 50 off 49 balls until Trego (22) top edged Griffiths to Alex Evans at third man. Lunch was immediately taken with Notts 343 for 8 off 99.5 overs. Notts declared during the interval. Mike finishing with 3 for 48.

Notts led by 121 runs with 72 overs left in the day. Trego (Pavilion End) and Chappell (Bennett End) opened the bowling. In the 7th over, Trego removed Azad (6) caught behind by Moores diving to his left, 14 for one. Dearden was badly dropped on 4 by Mullaney at second slip off Trego who had both hands on the ball but could not hang on. After a six over spell Chappell was replaced by Lyndon James. Dearden hit Trego for two boundaries and a two in his eighth over. He was taken off and replaced by Mullaney who was having his first bowl of the contest. In his second over, Mullaney had Dearden plumb leg before for 14, 36 for two. Leicester got to 50 in 24th over via a boundary by Ackermann off James. Barber came on ten minutes before tea in the 28th over. Leicestershire got to tea on 59 for two off 31 overs with Evans on 24 and Ackermann on 13.

Trego and Barber were bowling in tandem immediately after tea but they carried no threat.  Patel came on for the 41st over for Trego. The very inaccurate Barber made way for Chappell in the 44th over. Patel was surprisingly only given three overs as the Captain returned and promptly went for ten off the over. Rain stopped play at 1734 with Leicestershire 110 for two after 48 overs with Sam Evans on 48 and Ackermann on 34. By tis stage, Notts’ heads had visibly sank in the field. Play commenced 12 minutes later with three overs lost. Mullaney was proving expensive as he conceded a further nine in the first over of the resumption. Sam Evans (48) was caught at short leg by Hameed diving forward, 129 for 3. The third wicket had added 93 and had virtually saved the home side. Next ball Ackermann got to his 50 off 117 balls with a single off Barber. The former Middlesex player concentrating now on short leg side balls in the ribs with Patel slowed the scoring rate down in the evening sunshine. Stumps were drawn with Leicestershire closing on 143 for 3 off 69 overs with Ackermann on 58 and Rhodes on 4. Logic would suggest it would require at least three hours play tomorrow to obtain a positive result which based on present weather forecast will not happen. But as Michael Fish can testify the weathermen have been known to get it wrong…but that the counter is highly likely to move from 24 to 25 tomorrow. MAG

Day 2

BIGGEST OPENING STAND FOR SIX YEARS ON A SHORTENED DAY, AS NOTTS DRAW CLOSE TO LEICESTERSHIRE'S SCORE

On a day where 29.5 overs were lost to rain and bad light, Notts set up the platform for victory by closing on 221 for two, only one run behind Leicestershire. Haseeb Hameed (87) and Ben Slater (86) put together the first 200 partnership against county opposition for six years, as they added 200 in 63.3 overs, but they both fell in five overs after tea with bad light closing in. They both batted well against a Leicester attack, that Tom Taylor apart, lacked direction and bowled poorly. The ball was still swinging today and the Foxes attack failed to capitalise.  After the openers fell, Duckett and Clarke had no time to add crucial acceleration to the Notts innings. Notts will return to the crease tomorrow with the new ball still 16.5 overs away. Tomorrow’s forecast is good and maybe we will get a full 98 overs in. However, Tuesday’s forecast is for heavy rain all day, so unless something spectacular happens tomorrow, Notts' long winless run seems likely to continue.  

 

Griffiths (Pavilion End) and Taylor (Bennett End) opened the bowling. Taylor was more much impressive of the pair, twice getting Hameed to edge through the slip cordon, Notts adding 34 in the first twelve overs of the morning. Hameed got to his 50 off 80 balls with a couple of runs off Alex Evans who had replaced Griffiths. Next over the 27th of the innings saw James Weighell have his first bowl for Leicestershire, he got the ball to consistently swing but proved somewhat expensive. The 100 partnership came up in the 30th over with a single from Hameed off the wayward Alex Evans. Two successive cover drives by Slater off Weighell saw him to his 50 off 103 balls. Mike replaced Evans in the 34th over but despite only conceding a single he was only given a single over and was immediately replaced by the captain Colin Ackermann. Mike changed ends and replaced Weighell for the 39th over. Notts went to lunch on 144 for 0 off 41 overs with Slater on 58 and Hameed on 65.

 

Play got frustrating after lunch, both openers getting a bit bogged down and with regular rain stoppages, a slow over rate was thrown into the mix, Notts only added 77 runs in 32.1 overs and lost their impetus somewhat.

 

Immediately after lunch, Ackermann and Mike continued in tandem. A leg glance for four by Hameed off Mike brought up the Notts 150 in the 43rd over. Rain stopped play at 1358 with Notts 158 for 0 off 46.2 overs with Hameed on 72 and Slater on 65. After a long delay, play recommenced at 1540 with 13 overs lost. A single for Slater off Griffiths broke the 101 year old record for highest ever first wicket partnership for Notts against Leicester which was previously 159 by George Gunn and Garnet Lee at Trent Bridge in 1919. Only 10 balls were bowled before the rain arrived again at 1547 with Notts 161 for 0 after 48 overs with Hameed on 73 and Slater on 67.

 

Play recommenced once more at 1610 with 36 overs remaining with Griffiths and Mike bowling in tandem. Tom Taylor returned for the 59th over. The 200 partnership came up in the 63rd over bowled by Taylor. The first 200 partnership against county opposition since Steven Mullaney and Phil Jaques added 203 versus Somerset at Trent Bridge in 2014. Hameed (87 off 188 balls with 12 fours) was leg before without playing a shot to Alex Evans, 200 for one in the 64th over; a tame end to his highest innings so far for Notts. Duckett came in at three and after facing five balls had to leave the field for an urgent toilet break. In the 69th over, Slater fell to Taylor being caught at the second attempt by the juggling Ackermann at second slip. Notts 210 for 2, Slater out for 86 off 210 balls (11x4). Bad light stopped play at 1805 with Notts with 221 for two off 73.1 overs with 10.5 overs unbowled with Duckett on 17 and Clarke on 2. Play was called off for the day ten minutes later. MAG

Day 1

MIXED DAY FOR NOTTS AS REPEATED CATCHES SLIP THROUGH FINGERS

Notts had a mixed day at Grace Road today having bowled well they were let down by a poor fielding display which saw five catches dropped and an easy run out missed, as their top scorers Tom Taylor (57) and Ben Mike (51 not out) cashed in. 

Notts won their first toss of the Bob Willis Trophy and inserted Leicester. Lyndon James came in for the injured Matt Carter who came down with a back spasm; Carter’s accuracy and catching ability were undoubtedly missed. On a day with a very strong wind, Peter Trego bowled a 16 over spell into the wind separated by a brief rain shower and an early lunch. He got the ball to swing and took the first three wickets including the key wicket of Leicester skipper Colin Ackermann. With Lyndon James picking up Hassan Azad, Leicester were 25 for 4. This became 54 for 5 soon after lunch before Butter Fingers became the theme of the day. Zak Chappell who bowled well all day was particularly unlucky with three drop catches off his bowling. The captain was presumably injured as his bowling was ideally suited to the conditions which aided swing bowling. Mike badly dropped on 16 behind the wicket played in all the Notts age groups but was unbelievably never given a place on the Notts Academy and like Hassan Azad has benefited playing for a club that will give youngsters playing opportunities. Leicester eventually got to 222 at least 75 more than they should have got. On a wicket where a few balls are keeping low Notts got to stumps unscathed and trail Leicester 174 runs.

 

Trego opened up from the Pavilion End. Off the third ball of the second over Sam Evans on 0 was badly dropped by Mullaney at second slip. It was slow going for Leicestershire and on the first ball of the ninth over Sam Evans (4) edged Trego to James at third slip who took a regulation catch, 7 for one. In Trego's next over, left hander Harry Dearden played a lazy clip off his legs straight to Patel at mid wicket, 15 for two. In the fifteenth over, Ackermann (4) edged Trego and Mullaney took the catch diving to his left at second slip, 21 for three. After a spell of 7-2-11-0 from the Bennett End James came on for Zak Chappell and with his third ball Hassan Azad (4) playing a sliced drive was caught low down at backward point by Slater, 25 for 4.  Rain stopped play at 1228 with Leicester 31 for 4 off 19 overs with Rhodes on 7 and Swindells on 3. Play restarted six minutes later but the rain returned at 1240 with Leicester 37 for 4 off 20.5 overs with Rhodes on 8 and Swindells on 9. Lunch was then taken.

 

Zak Chappell returned straight lunch for James. Swindells on 10 had a life when edged Trego at great speed to James at second slip who got both hands on the ball but could not hold on. Off the first ball of the 26th over, a good length ball from Chappell found the edge of Rhodes (19) bat and Moores took an easy catch, 54 for 5. Taylor had a life when he was dropped low down at mid off by Hameed off Chappell, another easy chance had gone begging. Trego after a spell 16-6-27-3 was replaced by James from the Pavilion End. Tom Barber came on for the 36th over. The 50 partnership between Taylor and Swindells was brought in via a straight six from Taylor off the expensive James. A mix up between Taylor and Swindells should have the former run out but the bowler Lyndon James could not take a good throw from Duckett cleanly, dropping the ball with Taylor well out of his ground. Taylor still on 47 should been given out the next over bowled by Barber as he played the ball to Patel at point who threw down the stumps with a direct throw with Taylor short, unfortunately umpire Nick Cook could not give the decision as he was not looking at the stumps when they were broken. Taylor reached an attacking 50 off 60 balls with a boundary off James. Patel belatedly replaced James with the score on 131 for five after 44 overs. In his second over Patel got one to straighten and Swindells was leg before for 33, 135 for 6, 81 valuable runs had been added in 21 overs had been added for the 6th wicket. Taylor's attacking innings ended when a short and widish quick ball from Barber was guided by the former Derby man straight to Chappell at third man, 137 for seven. Taylor 57 off 78 balls (64, 1x6). Mike took a liking to Barber hitting him for a couple of boundaries in his ninth over. Tea was taken at 1543 with Leicester 154 for 7 off 54 overs with Mike on 14 and Weighell on 3.

 

Weighell hit at four and got a single off the first over after tea bowled by Patel, the players going off for a short shower at 1607. The players returned four minutes later with Trego returning this time from the Bennett End. Chappell replaced Trego for the 61st over and had the third catch dropped off him when Mike on 16 was grassed by Moores behind the wicket diving to his right, but a sitter of a chance! The Weighell of fortune finally turned the way of Chappell as the former Durham player, on loan with the Foxes, played on for 23, 181 for eight. Trego was clearly tiring as Mike profiting from being dropped drove him for two boundaries in the same over, Patel replaced him. Leicester got to their first batting point in the 69th over. Barber returned from the Bennett End for the 72nd over. Barber had Gavin Griffiths caught behind edging a short ball into Moores gloves, 34 had been added for the ninth wicket. Another catch was dropped, this time by Trego at mid off Barber when Mike had 45. Next ball Mike reached his 50 with a hooked six off Barber. Ben batting is every reminiscent of his father Greg. Next over Patel yorked Alex Evans (1) removing his middle stump. Leicestershire 222 all out off 71.4 overs Mike 51 not out off 83 balls (6x4, 1x6).  Trego 3 for 46 was leading bowler. Chappell deserved more than his 2 for 54. There was also two wickets apiece for Patel and the rapid Barber.

 

Notts had 13 overs to bat as Taylor (Bennett End) and Alex Evans (Pavilion End) opened the bowling. Slater was badly dropped on 3 by George Rhodes off Taylor. Gavin Griffiths replaced Alex Evans for the 10th over and Ben Mike was given the last over of the day but the Notts openers stood firm, closing on 48 for 0 with Hameed on 34 and Slater on 12. No overs had been lost as Grace Road dodged the many showers that hit Nottingham today. Notts will be looking to get a substantial lead tomorrow and show the application with the bat they showed against Lancashire which was lacking against Derbyshire and Yorkshire. MAG

The Notts squad:

Slater, Hameed, Duckett, Clarke, Mullaney, Moores, Trego, Patel, Carter, Chappell, Barber, James

Look familiar? It ought to, as it's the same eleven plus Lyndon James that drew with Lancashire, that failed to take a wicket in the 40 overs of Lancashire's second innings, that failed to push for a win in spite of forcing the opposition to follow-on. The side that let Lancashire off the hook. The green shoots of hope on Days 1 and 2, doused with herbicide on Day 4, again.

Harsh criticism? You can't praise Slater and Duckett on magnificent hundreds and then in the next breath say the pitch was a feather bed and offered little for the bowlers when you can't get the opposition out. 

In  August conditions but with pitches like early May, the new ball is critical. In Jake Ball's absense are we using the right bowlers with the new ball?

I've been impressed with Zak Chappell's improvement this season but apart from one spell, has Peter Trego shown that he should be Zak's the new ball partner? MAKE THAT TWO SPELLS - PRE LUNCH DAY 1 HERE

Tom Barber looks quick, very quick. Even quicker than Andy Carter! But does he have a RADAR?

Do we have the ammunition to get Hassan Azad, and his new pals out, twice?

Preview ANNOTATED

As Notts can't realistically qualify as one of the best two counties to reach the final at Lord's next month, will they decide to enter into the spirit of the competition now? - NO

Will they actually play LPW, Lyndon James and even birthday boy Sol Budinger, rather than put them on drinks, sanitiser and sub fielder duties? NO

With the Blast in less than a week's time, risking returnees from injury wouldn't be the wisest of moves, so if certain bowlers are "fit again", we can probably expect to see their foolhardy selection, such is the myopic approach at times! SPECSAVERS APPOINTMENT ON WEDNESDAY

Clarke and Hameed picked up injuries during the Lancashire draw but we haven't been informed as to the seriousness of either, such is the policy of the Trent Bridge website, to only publish good news. 

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS AND NO INJURY IT SEEMS

If Hameed is injured, expect Nash. If Clarke is injured, expect Nash. If both Hameed and Clarke are injured, expect Nash and ? NO NASH EITHER, PERHAPS HE'S INJURED

If LPW, Compton, James, Budinger and Blatherwick aren't all in the squad to travel to lockdown-relaxed Leicester, then some coaches need their heads testing. How many make the eleven is down to an attitude towards the future of the club, or stubbornness of the coaching staff. NO CHANGE

Expectation of winning is low, so what is there to lose? A game away from Trent Bridge will be a little weird; at least we'll be able to see if the Foxes' streaming matches-up or not.

Leicestershire have added to their ranks this morning, with the arrival on loan of Rishi Patel from Essex.

We all know when Notts last won, Noah was still knocking nails into his boat.

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
11 Aug 2020	YORKSHIRE	TB	L	L90R	4	3	7
18 Aug 2020	Lancashire	TB (away**)	L	D	5	3	16