Essex LV= Championship at Chelmsford Draw

 

Day 4

BAD LIGHT AND RAIN THWART ANY FURTHER PLAY AFTER JUST HALF A DAY

Drawn Match Suits Notts' Prospects

This rain ruined contest ended in a watery grave when play was abandoned in mid afternoon after only 37.3 overs were possible on the final day; unexpected rain parking itself over Essex. Brett Hutton picked up a further two wickets today to finish with 5 for 65 as Essex were bowled out for 210. He was backed up with two wickets apiece for Luke Fletcher and Liam Patterson-White. Notts faced 27.2 overs and crawled to 44 for two with Ben Slater holding firm with 19 not out off 87 balls before the weather had the final say.


200th wicket for Brett Hutton

Hutton (River End) and Fletcher (Pavilion End) opened the bowling on a cloudy dank morning in Chelmsford. Notts took the new ball with Essex on 180 for 7 off 80 overs. In the 86th over, Snater (24) was leg before to Brett Hutton, his 200th first-class victim, 193 for eight. In the next over Fletcher had Harmer leg before for 20, 195 for nine. Sam Cook drove Hutton to the mid wicket ropes to give Essex a solitary batting point in the 88th over. Siddle hit Fletcher for successive fours, Hutton picked up his fifth wicket as Sam Cook (6) lost his off stump. Essex 210 all out in 89.1 overs; Siddle 11 not out. Notts led by 83 runs in the first innings.

Compton out before lunch

Sam Cook (River End) and Siddle (Hayes Close End) opened up but with Slater and Compton looking solid, it was no surprise when Harmer was introduced for the 7th over. In the following over, Siddle got one to lift and Compton (8) edged him to Alastair Cook at first slip, 11 for one. Sam Cook returned for Siddle as Notts got to lunch at 23 for one after 16 overs with Slater on 9 and Duckett on 6.

Duckett plays on

Snater was bowling in tandem with Harmer immediately after lunch. Duckett (16) going for a shot through mid wicket was fooled by a slower ball from Snater and played on to his leg stump, 35 for 2 in the 22nd over. With conditions getting ever gloomy the floodlights were switched on 1415. Siddle replaced Snater for the 28th over as bad light stopped play at 1422 with Essex 44 for 2 after 27.2 overs with Slater on 19 and Clarke on 1. Rain arrived shortly afterwards and the captains shook hands on a draw at 1505. Not a match that will linger in the memory.

13 points

Notts take 13 points from the fixture and Essex 11, with Notts now in third place in Group 1, three points behind Essex with a game in hand. The baseball now takes over for a month as Notts resume their championship programme with a home fixture against Derbyshire on the 4th July. MAG

Reached his 200th wicket milestone 

before completing a 5-fer

Day 3

ESSEX HELD ON A TIGHT LEASH 

After yesterday’s washout, Chelmsford was bathed in continuous sunshine but the scoring rate today remained slow as just 225 runs were scored in 101.1 overs following 248 in 96 on day one. On a slow, low turning wicket clearly prepared for ace off spinner Simon Harmer, Notts added 45 runs for the loss of four wickets, all taken by the South African in 22.1 overs. Notts lost their way, once top scorer Joe Clarke (67) played a reckless shot to Harmer’s second ball of the morning. Essex replying to Notts 293, slipped to 15 for three at lunch as Fletcher and Hutton bowled outstanding opening spells. With Moores standing up by mid afternoon, the cricket got somewhat turgid as Notts bowled with great discipline as Essex were happy to flat bat the ball back to the bowler. Patterson-White bowled two corkers to remove Walter and top scorer Essex captain Tom Westley (71).Essex dug in and when stumps were drawn at 1857 they stood at 180 for 7, still 113 runs behind.

Lax shot by Clarke

Play started on time in glorious sunshine. Notts got their second batting point in the opening over as Patterson-White took a couple off Sam Cook (River End). Siddle bowled the 98th over and Clarke got an all run four and an extra cover boundary off the Australian's opening over. Patterson-White on 19 was dropped by Browne at third slip off Siddle. Harmer came on for the 105th over and with his second ball, Clarke (67), going on the attack, threw his wicket away being caught low down by Snater at mid wicket, 261 for seven. Sam Cook changed ends. Patterson-White on 24 was dropped top edging a pull shot, Walter dropping the catch running towards deep mid wicket, Sam Cook the bowler. Essex failed to gain their third bowling point with Notts reaching 268 for 7 off 110 overs. Snater appeared from the Hayes Close End for the 112th over. Patterson-White (31) played on to his leg stump, as Harmer picked up his second wicket, 272 for eight in the 113th over. Harmer was too good for Fletcher as he miscued to Walter at deep square leg to fall for a five ball duck, 272 for nine. Hutton after starting with each 35 dot balls, hit successive boundaries off Snater, one a slice through backward point and the other a mistimed pull shot. Patterson swiped Harmer for a six over mid wicket. Harmer picked up his fourth wicket of the morning as Hutton on the sweep was plumb leg before for 10. Notts 293 all out off 118.1 overs with Paterson 11 not out. Harmer finished with 4 for 71.

Golden mini-session

Notts opened with Fletcher (River End) and Hutton (Hayes Close End). Hutton struck in his second over as Browne (6) edged him into Moore’s gloves, 11 for one. In the following over, Hutton got the prized scalp of Alastair Cook as Moores picked up his second catch, 14 for two. On the stroke of lunch, Pepper fell for a 10 ball duck as Moores took a tremendous diving catch to his right in front of first slip off an out swinger from Luke Fletcher, 15 for three off seven overs at the interval. Westley 4 not out.

Grind out wicket

Fletcher (10-5-13-1) and Hutton (10-4-21-2) bowled outstanding opening spells either side of lunch and made way for Paterson and Patterson-White respectively. The 50 stand between Westley and Walter took 142 balls as Essex slowly fought back. Walter (21) was bowled through the gate by Patterson-White, the left hander losing his off bail as the ball turned, 70 for 4 in the 34th over. Patterson-White immediately made way for the returning Hutton. Lyndon James came on for Paterson in the 39th over. Essex got to tea on 81 for 4 off 41 overs with Westley on 35 and ten Doeschate on 8. Essex had scored 66 runs for the loss of Walter in 34 overs in the second session.

Westley withstands

Hutton and James continued to bowl after tea. An extra cover boundary for Westley off Hutton brought up to the Essex 100 in the 46th over. In the following over Westley got to his 50 off 124 balls. Ryan ten Doeschate (14) departed edging Hutton to Joe Clarke, the solitary slip, 108 for 5 in the 48th over. Fletcher returned to the attack for the following over and for the 52nd over Paterson replaced Hutton. Five overs later, Patterson-White returned and a well pitched ball from the slow left armer turned and hit Westley's (71) off stump, 143 for 6 off 60 overs. The very next ball, James took a wicket with his first ball of his spell. A short ball was pulled by Wheater (10) and Ben Compton took a good diving catch at fine leg looking directly into the sun. An inside edged boundary for Snater off James took Essex to 150 in the 65th over. Three overs later, Hutton replaced Patterson-White. Paterson came on for a late burst with seven overs remaining in the day, the following over on came Liam Patterson-White and the last fours overs were all maidens as Essex closed on 180 for 7 off 79 overs with Harmer on 15 and Snater on 17 who have so added 37 runs for the eighth wicket in 19 overs.

Penny-pinching Essex?

The day was played in front of 200 spectators, all shoe horned in the Hayes Close End and tomorrow will be played behind closed doors, as the Essex club seem determined to save every possible penny. It also appears that the Essex club are happy to pay for two rather than having one overseas player and therefore leave their long suffering members locked out of the ground, a somewhat bizarre situation. Isn’t cricket a spectator sport?

Essex game-plan?

With just a day left, Notts will know that a draw here would potentially make the last fixture at The Riverside, a “Winner takes all” match, where the victor would head for the first division. Essex meanwhile will hope that spin ace Harmer can bowl Notts out in a session in a bid to secure a much needed victory to gain a top division place. So far Notts have more than competed against their opponents which augers well for the future. MAG

Day 2

It's another wash-out!

Day 1

CLARKE WITH NOTTS, RECOVER FROM EARLY KNOCKS

On a warm and an intermittently sunny day at Chelmsford, honours were even on the opening day as Notts having won the toss closed on 248 for 6 on a slowish wicket. With Essex reluctant to unfurlough staff, a crowd limit was set at 600 for today, 200 for Friday and Saturday and zero for Sunday. It meant that the gates were well and truly bolted for any Notts supporters to attend, so it was back to the screen for this one.

Trigger-finger Blackwell

It was a throwback to bygone eras those famous cricket names of Compton and Hutton came in for Notts as Hameed (England bubble) and Chappell (dropped) were omitted from the eleven. Sam Cook (River End) and Siddle (Hayes Close End) opened the bowling. In the fourth over, Compton (11), after two early boundaries, wafted outside off stump and edged Siddle to Alastair Cook at first slip, 24 for one. Duckett (2) was fired out by umpire Ian Blackwell as he adjudged leg before to a Siddle delivery going way down leg side, 26 for two. Snater replaced Sam Cook in the ninth over. 

Quick-draw Mallender

Sam Cook switched ends from the 12th over. Luck was on Essex side once more as Slater (25) was given out leg before by umpire Mallender to a ball looking like it was going over the stumps, Snater the bowler, 48 for three in the 15th over.

Big Bash

 Clarke was hit on the right forearm [BBC later report it was his hand] by a ball that lifted off a length from Sam Cook and retired hurt on 11 with the score 54 for three after 16 overs. Harmer was on by 1225 for the 19th over. James was almost out hitting a full toss from Harmer just short of the diving Sam Cook at mid off. Siddle returned for the 22nd over. Mullaney going for a drive was dropped by Alastair Cook at first slip on 4, Harmer the bowler. Walter bowled the last over before lunch from the Hayes Close End and introduced himself with a beamer to James. Notts got to lunch on 71 for three off 30 overs with James on 12 and Mullaney on 4.

Mullaney survives

Mullaney and James batted throughout the afternoon session adding 95 runs. Snater and Sam Cook opened the bowling after lunch. Mullaney was dropped on 6 by Browne diving to his right at extra cover, Snater the unlucky bowler. The scoring rate was very slow; a boundary from Mullaney off a short ball from Sam Cook to the leg side boundary came as asurprise. Siddle returned for 42nd over and James edged him to third man forf our. Notts brought up the 100 in the 43rd over. A boundary through long leg off Harmer by James brought up the 50 stand between Mullaney and himself. James was playing with increasing confidence hitting Harmer gloriously for four through the covers. The left arm bean pole seamer Paul Walter returned from the Hayes Close End for the 52nd over, James edging him through the slips for a boundary. A rare long hop from Harmer was pulled for six over mid wicket by Mullaney. In the 56th over, James attempting a pull shot off Walter was struck on the helmet; he survived his concussion assessment from physio James Pipe. In the following over, Ryan ten Doeschate came on with his medium pacers. 

Second offence

In the 58th over Walter bowled his second beamer of the innings and was withdrawn from the attack by umpire Blackwell, Sam Cook completed the over. In the following over, the 59th, a single for Mullaney off ten Doeschate brought up the 100 partnership with James. With tea approaching, Harmer was reintroduced into the attack. A single for James off Sam Cook brought up his 50 off 145 balls. In the same over, Mullaney reached his 50 off 135 balls with a boundary through fine leg. Notts got to the second interval on 166 for 3 off 64 overs with James on 52 and Mullaney on 50.

Wobble

In the 68th over, James (54 -163 balls with 10 fours) edged Siddle to Alastair Cook who took the catch low at first slip, 171for 4. The stand between James and Mullaney had been worth 117 runs. Siddle came off and Snater returned for the 72nd over and in his following over he bowled a short ball which Mullaney (55 – 178 balls, 6x4,1x6), who had got bogged down, hung out his bat to, Cook taking the catch at first slip, 176 for 5. 

Clarke then resumed his innings.

The new ball was taken with Notts 190 for five off 80 overs. Straight away, Moores was all at sea against Sam Cook, and it was no surprise when he bowled him for 12, 190 for 6 in the 81st over. Moores has been bowled too often in 2021. A glorious cover driven four by Clarke off Siddle brought up the Notts 200 in the 86th over. With the new ball coming more on to the bat, Clarke was timing the ball beautifully hitting Siddle for three boundaries in the 88th over. Snater returned for Siddle and a single for Clarke saw him to a fine 50 off 78 balls. Clarke then took a single off the returning Harmer to bring up the 50 partnership with Patterson-White in 55 balls. Stumps were drawn 1825 with Notts on 248 for 6 off 96 overs with Clarke on 57 and Patterson-White on 17.

Notts had battled well, on a surface which held little terrors. Compton after a bright start fell to a poor shot. Duckett and Slater were both triggered out by poor umpiring decisions. Mullaney (55) and the level-headed James (54) provided the ballast adding 117 in 51 overs; both were out to disappointing shots, but their partnership was invaluable. James batted particularly well against Harmer and once again impressed. Mullaney was dismissed six overs before the new ball and Notts supporters would have feared the worst when Moores was bowled with the fifth delivery with the new cherry. Clarke though returned to the crease and played his best innings of 2021 and with Patterson-White has so far added 58 for the seventh wicket. Notts will look for a total in excess of 300. Essex were slightly disappointing, in particular they were sloppy in the field. Their best bowler was Dutch-Zimbabwean Snater 92-35), who had taken seven in an innings at Trent Bridge a month ago. Notts old boy Siddle (3-76) took some late tap off Clarke. Harmer remained without a wicket in 26 overs. The Met Office is predicting heavy rain from lunchtime tomorrow at Chelmsford. MAG

Peter's XIII

Ben Compton

Ben Slater

Ben Duckett

Lyndon James

Joe Clarke

Steven Mullaney

Tom Moores

Liam Patterson-White

Matthew Carter

Brett Hutton

Zak Chappell

Luke Fletcher

Dane Paterson

• No Stuart Broad - vice-captain with the England squad
• No Haseeb Hameed - now swallowed-up by the England bubble (from where there's no release?)
• No or near to no spectators at Chelmsford as most of the ground is still closed with staff furloughed. 200 maximum in attendance, confined to a few certain areas.

Will this be the last Championship game with limitations on spectators / facilities /freedom or will back-peddling Boris extend the limitations on people's human rights further into the summer, than the 21st June carrot?

Fixtures 2021

Cricket is depending on an explosion of normality!

After Notts shot themselves in both feet last week at Edgbaston, architects of their own demise (that not being the normality we're all wanting) - hopefully stern words have been had, Skipper Mullaney included, as he was equally culpable. This game is about not being beaten by Essex in their home dust bowl - a tall order. The big picture being the group table and top-two positions being the prize. We really need Derbyshire to turnaround their fortunes, now their new Aussie is settled, and for them to limit Bears' points in this round.

Is Ben Duckett a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down - is his poorly thumb better?

Will there be a need for a second spinner, certainly one will surely travel with the squad.

Steven Mullaney

Ben Compton

Ben Slater

Lyndon James

Joe Clarke

Joey Evison

Tom Moores

Liam Patterson-White

Matthew Carter

Brett Hutton

Zak Chappell

Luke Fletcher

Dane Paterson

Ben Duckett

Wild card - Calvin Harrison the Durban born, English leg-spinner who's been with the squad at Edgbaston and took part in the calamitous, but good learning experience, T20 defeats yesterday at Grantham. Dan Christian and Samit Patel also made appearances but no Alex Hales.

Profound question: can you have an "appearance", if there's no one there to see it? Much like the tree in forest making a sound if...

But of course the ECB's live NV cameras were there, who incidentally put Grantham CC's ground somewhere in Nottingham - check out their website.

Other news: Luke Fletcher has extended his Notts contract until the end of 2024.