Durham LV= Championship at Trent Bridge Draw

JAMES THE HIGHLIGHT AS NOTTS EARN A HARD FOUGHT DRAW


Day 4

A very dogged rearguard action, led by the superb Lyndon James meant that Notts started their County Championship campaign with a deserved draw against Durham, battling against the handicap of injuries to Jake Ball and Brett Hutton. As expected Durham declared overnight setting Notts a nominal 396 andonce again the new ball created early trouble. Notts losing Hameed and Duckett to Chris Rushworth in the first nine overs. Once the new ball lost its shine,batting became much easier, but Durham removed Clarke (38) on the stroke of lunch. Flurries of snow appeared after lunch with James joining Slater in the middle. It was vital that James stood firm and he passed his test. Slater faced 158 balls without given a chance until he was leg before to Durham skipper Scott Borthwick for 73, seven balls later an early tea was taken with 4 overs lost as the snow got heavier. James, though, batting with great patience and concentration was looking increasing assured and added 114 with his captain before after aball change saw Mullaney (69) bowled by a ball that kept low. With the sun now out,the captains shook hands just after six o’clock with 51 balls remaining.

Rushworth (Radcliffe Road End) and Salisbury (Pavilion End) opened thebowling on a very cold morning. Hameed looked a bag of nerves and never look settled and was bowled through the gate by Chris Rushworth for a 15 ball duckin the 5th over, 5 for one. Duckett was plumb leg before to Rushworth playing back to a full length ball for 12, 21 for two off nine overs. Next over, Raine replaced Salisbury. Rushworth bowled an outstanding first spell of 6-2-9-2 andon came Brydon Carse. Clarke played a number of pleasing drives off Carse andRaine, the latter being replaced by Salisbury in the 18th over. An edged fourthrough third man off Carse by Clarke brought up the 50 partnership between him and Slater off 56 balls. Durham bowled six successive maidens and then with lunch imminent Clarke (38) edged Salisbury to Bedingham at first slip, Notts 88 for 3 off 27.2 overs with Slater 35 not out.

Salisbury and Carse were in tandem after lunch just before 1400 with the sun out a fewsnow flurries started falling. Slater got to a measured 50 off 109 ballswith a single off Carse. Rushworth returned in the 34th over. The floodlightswere switched on at 1435 as Borthwick entered the attack in the 42nd over asthe 50 partnership between Slater and James came up in 15 overs. It came as a surprise when Slater (73 with 10 fours) was leg before to Borthwick going for attempted pull shot, 159 for 4 off 48 overs. Slater’s innings was chanceless. Immediately after taking the wicket, Borthwick took himself off and on came Rushworth. After one ball had been delivered, a further snow furry stopped play at 1508with Notts 161 for 4 off 49.1 overs with James on 28 and Mullaney on 1.

Play restarted at 1545 in bright sunshine with four overs lost. Rushworth switched to the Radcliffe Road End. Salisbury tested Mullaney with a short ball and he hooked hIm for six. James who had been batting circumspectly hitSalisbury for successive fours to pass his previous career best of 36 not out madeat Grace Road last year. A cover drive from Mullaney off Raine saw the 50 partnership with James come up in 112 balls. James got to a richly deserved 50 off 106 balls with a single off Borthwick. A four backward of square by Mullaney off a Carse saw him to 50 off 81 balls and take Notts passed 250. The 100 partnership came up in 27 overs. A full toss from Borthwick was smashed for six over mid wicket, the over going for 10 plus four leg byes. Borthwick bowling a long spell to improve the over rate. Notts entered the last hour on 273 for 4 off 76 overs. Salisbury returned for the 70th over and was hit for a huge six over mid wicket by Mullaney but the ball was replaced and the very next ball Mullaney was bowled for 69 off 97 balls (9x4,3x6) by a delivery that kept low, 283 for five. The new ball was taken with Notts 286 for five off 80 overs.Durham called it quits at 1802 after 21 balls bowled with the new ball. Notts 298 for 5. James, in only his third game, 79 not out off 155 balls (11x4) and Moores 7 not out. Ultimately the flat pitch proved to be the winner. Rushworth and Salisbury both taking two wickets.

The performance of 22 year old James was the highlight, a big shot in the arm for all Notts supporters who have been crying out for years for the club to back local talent; it was particularly pleasing to see a batsman finally appear from the Academy. Six of the eleven playing in this match were locally produced playersand this has to be way forward for Notts in the longer format game. The season has to be one of consolidation with this greater emphasis on promoting and nurturing young home grown players something I think the supporters would appreciate andI think accept in the short term. Please no more journeymen!!! MAG

Jake Libby carried his bat 180* today for Worcestershire...

Day 3

RECORD DURHAM PAIR PUMMEL FLAGGING NOTTS 

Notts will need to bat 96 overs tomorrow to earn a draw as Durham lead by 395 runs with six second innings wickets still standing. Notts without lynch pin Jake Ball bowled well to reduce Durham to 78 for 4, but then former Plumtree batsman David Bedingham with a career best 180 not out and Ned Eckersley with 113* broke the Durham fifth wicket partnership record by adding an unbroken 254 for the fifth wicket in 47 overs. The previous fifth record stand was 247 between Gordon Muchall and Ian Blackwell versus Worcester at New Road in 2011. Before lunch Notts had added 102 to their overnight total as Tom Moores batted excellently for 96 not out and Brett Hutton scored a fighting 51. Notts lost Brett Hutton early in last session and the attack became very threadbare as the two batsmen added an incredible 237 in 43 overs of carnage as Notts heads visibly dropped in the early evening murk. Wickets have fallen against the new ball in all three innings but the ease that the Durham pair batted in the last session suggested the wicket remains flat and you would hope that Notts have sufficiently fight to stave off the defeat.

Carse (Radcliffe Road) and Raine (Pavilion End)opened the bowling on a cold dank day were the rain stayed away and 102.2 overs were bowled. In the 51st over a driven four from Moores saw Notts beyond the follow-on total of 181. Next over, Hutton (24) was dropped at first slip by Bedingham off Carse, the next three balls went for 2,4,4 as the 50 partnership between him and Moores was achieved. After expensive mini spell from Carse, Rushworth came on. In the following over a four through square leg by Hutton off Raine saw Notts to their first batting point in the 56th over. Amid-wicket boundary off Rushworth saw Moores to his 50 off 92 balls. With the partnership growing, Borthwick came on with his leg spinners in the 60th over. Carse replaced Rushworth from the Radcliffe Road End in the 65th over. Immediately after reaching his 50 Hutton fell leg before to the returning Salisbury, for 51 off 72 balls (8x4) 230 for eight. The partnership had added 89 runs. Fletcher fell for a two-ball duck beaten for pace by a well pitched up delivery from Carse, 231 for nine. Moores hit Carse for a six over long leg,the first six of the game. Notts fortuitously got to 250 as Burnham not only dropped Moores on 79 at long leg and threw the ball for four; the ball swirling in the icy breeze. Moores hit Salisbury for consecutive fours to move to 96, but the very next ball saw Ball yorked by Carse for 4, Notts 267 all out. Moores had faced 151 balls and had hit 17 fours and one six in an excellent innings.Durham led by 63 runs. The last wicket had added 36 in seven overs. Salisbury finished with 4 for 74 and Carse 4 for 86.

Fletcher bowling from the Radcliffe Road End took a wicket with his third ball with left hander Lees leg before for a duck, 0 for 1. Borthwick nervously played and missed his first two balls as Fletcher bowled an outstanding first over. Hutton followed this up with a maiden. Jones was also struggling against The Bomber, Durham 1 for 1 off three overs at lunch. Borthwick with a single.

In the sixth over, Borthwick (1) edged Hutton to Duckett at second slip who took the catch low to his left , 5 for 2. In the 10th over, a peach of a ball from Hutton jagged in and removed Jones (5) off stump, 22 for three. Fletcher after a spell 8-2-17-1 before and after lunch was replaced by Lyndon James. Hutton (8-3-21-2) also completed his spell and Mullaney replaced him from the Pavilion End, Mullaney bowling faster than his normal pace with Moores standing back. Bedingham and Burnham were looking comfortable as Fletcher returned for the 27th over. The 50 partnership between Bedingham and Burnham came up in 29th over bowled by Fletcher. In the same over Bedingham hit a cover boundary to bring up his 50 off 79 balls. In the next over Burnham(18) was caught low down to his right by Moores off Mullaney, 78 for four.Durham got to tea on 95 for 4 off 33 overs with the outstanding Bedingham on 60 and Eckersley on 5. Notts had bowled well throughout the session.

Durham came out with attacking intent after tea as the light started to deteriorate and the floodlights were switched on. Mullaney (Pavilion End) and James (Radcliffe Road End) were bowling in tandem. Hutton replaced Mullaney in the 38th over. Bedingham hit James for successive off side fours with 14 runs coming off the over with the 50 partnership coming up in just nine overs. Fletcher immediately replaced James from the Radcliffe Road End. Hutton went off injured after 41.5 overs with Patterson-White completing his over, it was downhill all the way from this point for Notts. Bedingham reached his maiden 100 for Durham off 126 balls with a boundary through the covers. Bedingham hoisted Patterson-White for six over mid-wicket in the 50th over. James returned to replace Fletcher for the following over and off his first ball he was glanced to the fine leg boundary by Eckersley to bring up the 100 partnership in 21 overs between Bedingham and himself. After bowling four overs for 26 Patterson-White was replaced by Mullaney. Eckersley got to his 50 off 78 balls with a single off James.Patterson-White returned for James as Mullaney desperately tried to stem the runs. The 150 partnership came off 183 balls with Notts now setting defensive fields. Bedingham launched Patterson-White for a six into the middle tier of the Radcliffe Road. Bedingham got a career best 150 not out off 195 balls. The 200 partnership came off 226 balls with a leg side four for Eckersley off Patterson-White. Next over Mullaney for a six over long on by Bedingham. In order to speed up the over rate, Duckett came on for the 71st over replacing the beleaguered Patterson-White (10.1- 0-82-0) and bowled three overs of non descript right arm medium pace in combination with the skipper. Stumps were drawn at 1905 with Durham 332 for 4 off 76 overs. It had been a chastening final session for Notts and their supporters as the two Durham men took fulladvantage of a threadbare attack on a flat pitch and turned into a tough learning experience for youngsters James and Patterson-White. Durham will surely declare overnight and unleash Rushworth and co first thing tomorrow, it is time for the Notts top four to fire and withstand the new ball. A draw will be huge boost to team morale. MAG

Chris Rushworth speaking to ESPN

"We have spoken a lot about getting runs down the order because those extra 40-60 runs can make a big difference, especially on a wicket that is doing a bit. Getting from 260 to 330 is a massive difference in conditions like this, so we think we did a really good job batting.

"Speaking to a few of their lads, the wicket didn't really change much but I think we bowled a fuller length and got more reward from it. There was less wind, too, and the conditions suited, slightly warmer and with cloud cover all day, but overall I think we bowled better.

"We are still well in front in the game and we have played some good cricket up to now but it is important we start right on the money again in the morning." 

Day 2

DURHAM TAKE CONTROL

Notts had a poor day at Trent Bridge today allowing Durham to add 89 to their overnight score to finish on 330 all out; a brilliant recovery from 196 for seven. Notts were handicapped by an injury to lead bowler Jake Ball who left the field halfway through an over. When Notts batted, a combination of poor application and poor technique saw them collapse to 85 for six but they rallied to 165 for seven before play ended with 17.2 overs unused due to bad light. Matt Salisbury hardly a world beater grabbed the first three wickets and was backed up by two wickets apiece from the reliable Chris Rushworth and the pacy Brydon Carse. Notts batting performance could be best summed up by the fact that only Tom Moores, who was badly dropped on 8, with an undefeated 40 managed to get a higher score than Durham number eleven Chris Rushworth who scored 31 for visitors.

Play got under way 15 minutes late due to light rain. Ball and Hutton opened the bowling and in the second over of the morning a four for Ben Raine off Hutton brought up the 50 partnership for the eight wicket between him and Brydon Carse. In his second over Ball went lame and had to leave the field and Fletcher had to bowl the remaining three balls of the over. Off the first ball of the next over, Hutton got Carse leg before for 25, 250 for eight. In the 105th over, Fletcher had Salisbury caught at first slip by Hutton for 14, an innings including three fours, 271 for nine. Patterson-White replaced Hutton in the 108th over. Durham reached 282 for nine off 110 overs. A four for Rushworth off Fletcher brought up the 300 in the 113 overs. Raine reached his 50 off 100 balls with a single off Mullaney who had replaced Fletcher in the 114th over. Lyndon James replaced Patterson-White in the following over but Raine and Rushworth were making hay as the 50 partnership came up in 10 overs. Mullaney finally took the last wicket when Rushworth was leg before for 31, Durham 330 all out off 121.2 overs, the last wicket had added 59 runs..Ben Raine 59 not out off 121 balls with seven fours. Fletcher was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 83. Slater safely negotiated a maiden over from Rushworth as lunch was taken.

Notts fell off a cliff after the interval. Off the fifth ball after lunch the leaden footed Slater edged Salisbury to keeper Poynter to depart for a nine ball duck, 1 for 1. Hameed never looked comfortable and it was no surprise when he was bowled by Salisbury losing his off bail to depart for a 28 ball 10, 26 for two in the 10th over. Clarke shuffling about his crease played an awful shot and departed first ball to Salisbury, another catch for Poynter. After taking three for 19 in a six-over spell Salisbury made way for Ben Raine. After an 8 over opening burst for 10 runs Rushworth was replaced by Carse from the Radcliffe Road End. Duckett batting recklessly throughout played an awful shot to be caught behind off Carse for a very unconvincing 24, 46 for four off 19 overs. Salisbury returned for the 22nd over. Rain stopped play at 1536 with Notts 66 for four off 23.3 overs with James on 19 and Mullaney on 11.

Play recommenced at 1620 with two overs lost and in the second over of the resumption, Mullaney (11) pushed at one from Rushworth and was caught at first slip by Bedingham, 66 for five. Moores was badly dropped on 8 at second slip by Borthwick off Matt Salisbury. Carse returned for the 31st over replacing Rushworth and with his second ball James (28) top edged a short ball and the ball went into orbit and Poynter raced from behind the stumps and took the catch mid-pitch, 85 for six. Patterson-White joined Moores and a flurry of boundaries saw Notts reach three figures in the 35th over. Moores hit three successive fours off Raine including consecutive edges through the slips. The 50 partnership for the seventh wicket came up with a four through the covers by Patterson-White off Raine, it had taken just nine overs. The wily Rushworth had Patterson-White caught behind for 26, 141 for seven in the 45th over. The seventh wicket had added 56 runs in 14 overs. The 150 was achieved via a leg side ball from Rushworth which went for four byes. The conditions were getting increasing murky and it was no surprise when bad light stopped play at 1811 with Notts 165 for seven off 48.4 overs with Moores on 40 and Hutton on 12. They had reached exactly half of Durham’s total. Play was called off 30 minutes later.

Durham had bowled well in the helpful overhead conditions, the pitch though remains a good one. James and Patterson-White both played promising cameos; persevering with local youth is definitely the desired course for Notts at present.

Today was a continuation of what we had seen in the two pre-season friendlies against county opposition. A flaky batting line-up which lacks depth and has too many cavalier batsmen, who have as yet, not showed sufficient technique against a moving ball. Last year we did get runs on flat tracks in August against what amounted in the most part to second eleven bowling attacks.

We have now been told that we have signed an overseas bowler who has been injured for a year rather than a steady top order batsman capable of seeing off the new ball. Time will tell whether this decision proves a wise one. MAG

Day 1

HONOURS EVEN

On a cold and blustery opening day at Trent Bridge, honours ended even with Durham after being inserted finishing on 241 for seven after 96 overs. Durham slipped to 5 for two; Jake Ball was excellent with the new ball removing Jones and Borthwick in the same over. Lees and Bedingham added 88 for the third wicket until the latter was removed by Fletcher off the last ball before lunch. Durham had the better of the middle session adding 86 for the loss of Lees who was run out following a direct hit from Joe Clarke. Notts fought back well after tea picking up three wickets in 12 overs. Carse and Raine, just like last year, proved difficult to remove and withstood the new ball adding an unbeaten 45 in 19.3 overs.

Notts won the toss and elected to bowl. Compton, Trego and new signing Dane Paterson were left out of the starting eleven which included Ball despite him not playing in any of pre-season practice games. There was no place for Paul Coughlin in the Durham team.

Ball (Radcliffe Road) and Hutton (Pavilion) opened the bowling. In the fifth over Ball got Michael Jones to edge to Hameed at third slip who took the catch at the second attempt diving towards first slip after juggling the ball, the right hander out for a 12 ball duck, 5 for one. Borthwick fell four balls later for a duck falling leg before to a well pitched up near unplayable delivery from Ball, 5 for two. After a spell of 4-2-7-0 Hutton was replaced by Fletcher. Hutton switched ends as Ball (6-4-10-2) took a break. Bedingham who joined Lees in the middle brought up the 50 partnership in 81 balls with an off drive off Hutton, as the Durham pair made relatively untroubled progress. Mullaney brought himself on in the 20th over from the Pavilion End replacing Fletcher. Three overs later Fletcher switched ends replacing Hutton. Bedingham reached his 50 off 76 balls with a leg side four off Mullaney. Just before lunch, Patterson-White came on and in the following over Fletcher removed Bedingham for 57 caught by Moores low to his right, the third wicket partnership had added 88 in 25 overs. Durham 93 for three off 30.4 overs with Lees on 33 at the break.

Ball and Hutton returned after lunch and initially kept the run rate down. Lees reached his 50 off 118 balls with an edged four off Ball in an over where he was hit for a further two boundaries by the former Yorkshire left hander. Patterson-White replaced Hutton for the 44th over. James came on the first time in the following over. In the 51st over, Lees was run out by Clarke at mid wicket with Burnham attempting a second run off James, Lees (58) failing to make his ground at the non strikers end as Clarke scored a direct hit, Durham 146 for four. After an impressive spell from James (7-1-17-0) with plenty of pace and bounce, Fletcher returned from the Radcliffe Road End and had couple of decent leg before shouts against Burnham and Eckersley which were turned down by umpire Ian Gould. Durham 179 for four off 64 overs with Burnham on 42 and Eckersley on 10.

In the first over after tea, Fletcher had Burnham (42) strangled down the leg side, excellently caught by the diving Moores, 180 for five. Poynter had a let off on 2 when he edged Fletcher between Moores and Hutton at first slip, the wicket keeper diving in front of Hutton. Mullaney picked up the sixth wicket when Eckersley on 19 slashed him to Hutton at first slip, 196 for six in the 76th over. James picked up a deserved wicket when had Poynter (7) edging to Moores who took the catch high to his right, 196 for seven. Ball and Hutton took the new ball with Durham on 205 for seven off 80 overs. The lights came on at 1730 in the 85th over. After eight overs without making a breakthrough Ball and Hutton were replaced by Fletcher and James. Patterson-White came on for the 94th over. Durham closed on 241 for seven off 96 overs with Carse on 21 and Raine on 20. Ball with 2-39 bowled with good rhythm all day and was well supported by Fletcher and impressive James generating plenty of pace and bounce. Hutton having enjoyed such an impressive pre-season had a quiet day on his very welcome to the Notts line up. Indeed it was very pleasing to see that five of the six bowlers used were products of Notts Youth System. Up yours Mike Atherton!

It was an attritional day of cricket played in awkward conditions with a brisk, bone-chilling south westerly wind. Notts will be hoping to remove for Durham for 275 or less tomorrow, although the visitors do bat very deep. It is very much a grafter’s pitch, the opening partnership between Slater and Hameed could be critical. Durham have the old warhorse Chris Rushworth in the line up, who always enjoys his trips to Trent Bridge. MAG

Steven's XI

Ben Slater

Haseeb Hameed

Ben Duckett

Joe Clarke

Lyndon James

Steven Mullaney *

Tom Moores x

Liam Patterson-White

Brett Hutton

Luke Fletcher

Jake Ball

Peter's XIV Squad

PM has opted to keep his cards close and announced a 14 man squad. No Zak Chappell, but Trego and Compton are in the XIV.

Ben Slater

Haseeb Hameed

Ben Duckett

Joe Clarke

Steven Mullaney *

Lyndon James

Tom Moores x

Liam Patterson-White

Brett Hutton

Dane Paterson

Jake Ball

Luke Fletcher

Peter Trego

Ben Compton

Preview:

As Trent Bridge market the women's Rockets, in the week of the launch of the re-vamped County Championship (this year sponsored by LV=), I thought I'd speculate as the starting eleven on Thursday.

Of course PM will announce a squad of thirteen or fourteen, when the squad is eventually released for real.

HBD XI

Ben Slater

Haseeb Hameed

Ben Duckett

Joe Clarke

Steven Mullaney *

Lyndon James

Tom Moores x

Liam Patterson-White

Brett Hutton

Dane Paterson

Zak Chappell

Add to those Peter's Ben Compton and Luke Fletcher. If Jake Ball is declared clean and uncontaminated fresh from quarantine then add him as well to make the fourteen.

To my eyes you have to pick 2 out of Hutton, Fletch, Trego and Dane P. Pick one or two quicks from Chappell, Ball, Barber and Pettman. Have either Joey Evison or Lyndon James if you have chosen only one quick.

Bowlers, obviously, will be rotated.

If you're going to have a spinner, and why wouldn't you, it's LPW but in his absence it's Carter.

Set in concrete, when fit, are Hameed, Duckett, Clarke, Moores junior and Captain Mull. Nash's departure has probably also cemented Slater at the top of the order as well.

Trego and Compton are cover for injuries to any of those 6. 

Stuart Broad will be accommodated when he is allowed to play. Disappointingly I don't see a role for Dane S, even if Moores is out for whatever reason, Duckett being the most likely deputy. 

Lord Budinger is surely for the ODC and T20 cover.

I for one, am looking forward to seeing what impact Dane Paterson can have; will he have a similar effect as Andre Adams for example?

Winless run

Notts clearly need to get the monkey off their backs, as soon into the season as possible, we really don't want to get into May with the three year anniversary looming in June, eight games to achieve something we haven't managed in the last 26 first class matches, before that anniversary on the 23rd June.

Fingers-crossed that this is the last time this particular table is used.

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
09 Sep 2020	DURHAM	TB	L	D	5	3	16

* Deducted 1 point for slow over rate

Played 26 Won 0 Drawn 9 Lost 17 Batting 46 Bowling 65 Points 159

 

** Bob Willis Trophy scheduled away fixture played at Trent Bridge

Drawn matches in Bob Willis Trophy score 8 points