Worcestershire LV=Championship at Trent Bridge Win 21 point

 

Day 3

DUCKETT, AND THEN CLARKE SEE NOTTS TO THRILLING FIVE WICKET WIN

Half-centuries from Ben Duckett (78 off 85 balls – 12x4) and Joe Clarke (61 not out off 106 balls – 9x4) propelled Notts to a 5-wicket victory over Worcestershire with a day to spare as Notts consolidated their position at the top of the table.

On another sunny day, where temperatures got up to 16 degrees C, The Pears started the day on 225-6. In the sixth over of the morning, Broad got one to shoot up and Cox (55) edged to Moores, 241 for 6. The sixth wicket partnership with Ed Barnard had gathered 142 runs in 54 overs and had changed the complexion of the contest. In the following over, Baker was leg before to Fletcher, 242 for 7 in the 91st over. Any hope though of Notts completing the win prior to commencement of the Forest game at 1500 were scuppered as Barnard and Finch added 79 in 21 overs for the 8th wicket. In the 96th over, Paterson replaced Broad and almost took a wicket with his first delivery with Barnard nearly playing on. Patterson-White came on and Barnard hit a leg side four and six off successive balls in the 103rd over. Barnard was dropped on 144 by Slater at short leg off the returning Broad. Barnard got to 150 in 274 balls with a three off Mullaney’s second over. James then replaced Mullaney and was hooked for six by Finch. Crucially, five minutes before lunch, Finch (33) edged Broad to Moores behind the stumps 321 for 8 in the 112th over. Morris was dropped on 0 by Slater at short leg later in the same over. Worcestershire 322 for 8 off 113 overs at lunch with Barnard on 153 and Morris on 0.

Notts wrapped up the last two Worcester wickets in 8.2 overs after lunch. In the 119th over, Fletcher (Radcliffe Road End) removed Morris’ off stump to delivery that kept low, 333 for 9. At 1410, Pennington edged Paterson to Duckett at second slip, who took an excellent catch low to his left. Paterson with figures 10 for 117 in the match. Worcestershire 339 all out off 121.2 overs. Leading the way on the flat deck were Fletcher 4 for 65 and Broad 4 for 72. The latter after an understandably rusty first day had a good match bowling aggressively throughout the second innings and chipping in with 45 not out yesterday. Ed Barnard’s superb innings closed with him on career best unbeaten 163 off 310 balls with 16 fours and one six. He had scored 48% of the second innings runs and his innings had made for a very interesting finale.

Notts needed to 233 to win off 152 overs, although with rain forecast tomorrow, they were looking for victory today. Worcester were handicapped as Pennington was unable to bowl. Notts got to a bad start, Slater (2) lasted four balls until edging Morris to Pollock at second slip who took the catch low down, 2 for 1. Hameed took two boundaries off the following over, bowled by Barnard. Duckett, continued in his fine form of 2022, with two boundaries off Morris’ third over. Notts got to 50 in the 13th over. Baker conceded 13 off his first over, three fours for Duckett. Duckett raced to 50 off 46 balls with 10 fours. Hameed (24) playing down the wrong line was comprehensively bowled by Barnard, 85 for 2 off 19 overs. Duckett had a life on 57 as Cox missed a stumping off slow left-armer Baker. Notts 100 in 21st over via three for Duckett off Baker. Notts 108 for 2 off 24 overs at tea with Duckett on 70 and Clarke on 8.

Duckett (78) edged a wide delivery from Morris into Cox's gloves, 127 for 3 in the 29th over which put a brake on the run scoring with Clarke and James getting bogged down, adding 44 in 16 overs. James (23) played an uncharacteristic reverse sweep off Baker and was caught at slip by that man Barnard, 171 for 4 in the 45th over. Mullaney (10) fell to an awful shot as we was caught on the cover ropes by Baker off Finch 182 for 5 off 46 overs. Notts still needing 51 runs and wobbling somewhat.

Moores, calmed the nerves, hitting successive off side boundaries off Baker. The following over Moores lofted Finch over the ropes at backward square leg. Former Pear, Clarke,then hit successive boundaries off the 55th over, bowled by Finch. Clarke hit the winning runs at 1823, a four through mid-wicket off the expensive Baker (19-1-90-1). The two out of form batsmen, Clarke and Moores (28 not out off 30 balls) had seen Notts over the line adding 51 in 10 overs. Notts winning a fine match off the last scheduled ball of day 3, the extra 8 overs did not have to be claimed. Duckett had got Notts off to fast start and Clarke’s sensible innings on the flat deck saw Notts over the line, the 107 first innings lead proving decisive. MAG

Day 2

BARNARD AND COX RESCUE PEARS 

An unbroken 6th wicket partnership between the experienced pair of Ed Barnard (101 off 201 balls) and Ben Cox (51 of 161) rescued Worcestershire from a perilous position of 99 for 5 to a healthy 225 for 5 at Trent Bridge. They already have a lead of 118 runs, and another 100 runs, could put pressure on Notts, despite what is now a very somnolent surface.

The weather was much better today than predicted with the sun blazing down and by the afternoon clear blue skies with the temperature going up to 12 degrees C. With all the green gone out of the surface it meant that very few balls misbehaved on what had become a very easy wicket to bat on.

First thing, Moores' (19) struggles with the bat continued as he lasted just four balls in the morning session before carelessly driving Morris straight to Libby at cover, 207 for 8. Broad went for the slog from the word go, a lofted straight four off Morris was followed by a leg side six off the following delivery. The fifth ball of the over was skied for four over long leg, the final ball went for four through square leg, 18 off the over. The entertainment continued in Morris' next over as Broad hit another six over square leg, just clearing the fielder and later in the over his partner Fletcher hit a leg side four. A pulled four for Broad off Finch brought Notts their second betting bonus point, the next ball an off-side boundary brought up the 50 partnerships with Fletcher. Fletcher fell to a diving catch at mid-off by d'Oliveira off Finch, 264 for 9. The ninth wicket had added 57 in 9 overs. Paterson (2) was out in identical fashion. Notts 266 all out off 59.5 overs, Broad 45 not out (6x4,2x6), Notts had a first innings lead of 107 runs, which in all honesty should have been more, the two daft run outs yesterday not helping matters.

Pollock fell to the second delivery off the innings, losing his middle stump to Fletcher (Radcliffe Road End), 0 for 1. Libby (3) fell to a catch in the gully by Patterson-White off Fletcher, 6 for 2 in the 5th over. Broad produced a cracker to remove Azhar Ali (5) the ball popping up and the Pakistani edged to Patterson-White who took the catch low at backward point, 18 for 3 in the 8th over. Paterson came on for the 12th over from Pavilion End and with his 4th ball, D'Oliveira (5) fell to running diving catch low down at mid-wicket by Hameed, 32 for 4. Worcestershire got to lunch on 37 for 4 off 16 overs with Haynes on 23 and Barnard on 0. An excellent morning for Notts

Broad (Radcliffe Road) bowled a four over spell before making way for Patterson-White as Worcestershire fought back well after the interval, adding 95 in the session for the loss of Haynes who fell in disappointing fashion. Paterson bowled six overs from the Radcliffe Road End then James came on. Patterson-White was only given two overs as Fletcher came back on. Haynes and Barnard looked reasonably solid as Broad returned for the 36th over, he set a field to suggest a short-pitched barrage. After ducking a first ball bouncer, Haynes (49) couldn't resist pulling the second ball straight down Duckett’s throat at deep backward square leg, 99 for 5. It was though already apparent the wicket had eased considerably and that the last five wickets would prove much more difficult to obtain. Barnard with Cox stood firm and they added 23 in the 16 overs bowled before tea as Patterson-White (Pavilion End) and Paterson were reintroduced to the attack. Worcestershire 122 for 5 off 52 overs at the interval with Barnard on 45 and Cox on 8.



The third session was plain sailing for the Worcestershire sixth wicket pair who looked in little trouble adding 103 in the remaining 32 overs, as Mullaney rotated his bowlers to no avail. With 4 overs remaining Fletcher (Radcliffe Road End) took the new ball as Barnard got an excellent ton. He had taken no risks on the featherbed surface and batting very sensibly, as had his partner Cox. Broad shared the new ball with Fletcher but the final 24 deliveries were dealt extremely easily by the Worcester pair who have so far batted for 49 overs. No chances had been missed, the ball had hardly beat the bat and with rain forecast for Sunday, all three results are still possible.

After Notts had dominated the morning, overall, it had been Worcestershire’s day. Notts will have to bowl well with newish ball tomorrow. Stuart Broad, having brushed off the cobwebs, was much like self today and will looking to add to his two wickets he took today. MAG

Day 1

PATERSON TAKES EIGHT, BUT PEARS BOUNCE BACK AFTER TEA

With Notts standing at 161 for 3, leading Worcestershire by two runs, it seemed that they were heading for a substantial lead. However, a late flurry of wickets saw the visitors fightback as Notts closed on 203 for 7, with a slender lead of 44 and the match back in the balance.

Notts won the toss and inserted Worcestershire on a dank day where the temperature never rose above 8 degrees C. Broad, now very much back in the England frame following discussions with Rob Key, came in for Pattinson. The wicket was pitched on the Bridgford Road side of the square and with short boundaries and lightning-fast outfield runs scored at four an hour for most of the day.

Fletcher (Radcliffe Road End) and Broad opened the bowling in freezing conditions. Libby (15) was out to Broad's thirteenth ball edging to Moores, 26 for 1 in the 6th over. In the following over, Pollock, playing aggressively, hit Fletcher for a leg side six. Paterson replaced Broad for the 10th over and with his first ball, Pollock (31 off 32 balls) edged him to James at third slip who took a sharp catch low down, 49 for 2. In his second over, Paterson moved one and had Azhar Ali (6) edging to Moores, 56 for three. Broad swapped ends after Fletcher had bowled an eight-over spell. Worcester raced to 100 after 21 overs, but Paterson struck for the third time as d'Oliveira (10) fell to a catch behind, 100 for 4. After another three over spell from Broad, which was too leg side, James came on from the Radcliffe Road End to bowl three overs. Barnard (8) played on to Paterson, 110 for 5 in the 26th over. Worcestershire 114 for 5 off 27 overs at lunch with Haynes on 33 and Cox on 2.

With the third delivery after lunch, Paterson had Cox (2) plumb leg before, 114 for 6. Paterson struck again having Haynes caught behind for 37, 129 for 7 in the 32nd over. Baker (12) got a leading edge to Broad who took the catch mid-on, Paterson's seventh scalp,136 for 8 after 34 overs. Charlie Morris (1) lost his middle stump to Paterson to a delivery that kept low, 138 for 9 after 36 overs. Finch and Pennington added 21 runs for the last wicket as Broad replaced Paterson who had outstanding figures of 15-6 52-8. His figures were the best in an innings for Notts since 2010, when Broad took 8-52 at Edgbaston. Fletcher took the last wicket as Pennington (18) going for a leg side hit edged to Moores who took his fifth catch of the innings. Worcestershire 159 all out off 41 overs. Finch 9 not out. Paterson, Notts’ best seamer in 2022 proved a constant menace in ideal bowling conditions. Stuart Broad, playing his first game since January, looked rusty and finished with 1-42 off 8 overs.

Morris (Pavilion End) and Pennington took the new ball with the floodlights switched on at 1500. Slater and Hameed looked in little trouble as the raced to 50 in the 14th over; now against the support bowling of Barnard and Finch. But Hameed went for a three pushing the ball to the cover boundary where Libby sprinted and collected the ball just in front of the ropes. He threw in accurately with Slater (24) out of his ground, 70 for 1 in the 18th over. A daft run out that should never have happened. Duckett came in and hit successive leg side boundaries off Morris. Hameed (53) reached a stylish 50 off 54 balls with 11 boundaries and then chased a wide long hop off Finch and was caught behind by the diving Cox, 93 for 2. Notts got to tea on 98 for 2 off 21 overs with Duckett on 16 and Clarke on 0.

After tea the light deteriorated, Duckett raced to 50 off 37 balls and looked in fine form but then was out caught behind by Cox off Pennington, 144 for 3 off 28 overs. The struggling Clarke (18) was the fourth wicket to fall caught by Cox diving to his right off Barnard, 161 for 4 in the 36th over, the start of the Worcester comeback. Mullaney (7) did not last long edging Morris to Haynes at second slip, 178 for 5 in the 41st over. James (19) who had looked relatively secure fell in the next over caught at second slip by Haynes off Barnard, 182 for 6. Then we witnessed some truly awful cricket with. Moores running out Patterson-White (0) going for a suicidal single. Moores pushed the ball in the covers, Baker with all three stumps to aim at, hit the stumps with Patterson-White out of his ground by a considerable distance, 184 for 7. A gift-wrapped wicket for The Pears. Moores was struggling to the time the ball, but a four through backward point by him off Pennington saw Notts to their first batting point in the 50th over. Bad light then stopped play at 1850 with Notts 203 for 7 off 50 overs with Moores on 15 and Broad on 6. Worcestershire who had bowled poorly before tea, fought back well in the final session. In ideal bowling conditions, Notts wasted the chance to put the game to bed with two shocking run outs. Notts will be looking to double their lead to put scoreboard pressure on the visitors.

The day will be remembered however for Paterson’s fantastic bowling 15 overs in the row from the Pavilion End, separated with a 40-minute break for lunch. His 8-52 were career best figures, beating his previous best of 7-20 for Western Province v Free State at Rondebosch in November 2013. His best figures for Notts were 5-90 taken at Edgbaston last May. MAG

Squad 

Secret Squirrel has announced the squad which does include the aforementioned Stuart Broad.

Ben Slater

Haseeb Hameed

Ben Duckett

Joe Clarke

Lyndon James

Steven Mullaney C

Tom Moores X

Liam Patterson-White

James Pattinson

Stuart Broad

Luke Fletcher

Dane Paterson

Brett Hutton

Same question remains - who are the two to miss out?

Preview 26/04

Before each game this season, there has been speculation that Stuart Broad will be made available to play. This match is no different, and with this being the fourth game and our Broad allocation being said to be three games from the first six, time has run out for any more fancy footwork around the elephants in the room.

Elephant number one: does Stuart intend to continue playing? I think it's time he showed the cricketing public his intentions instead of the wait and see what happens at Lord's approach so far. It's time for him to put in the performances and make it impossible not to pick him for England, in my opinion.

Elephant number two: who could Peter Moores leave out of the side to accommodate Stuart Broad? Not the country's leading wicket taker of last season, not our overseas star from South Africa but could he drop our Australian, who's been having a touch of no-ballitis, which did prove to be contagious at Chester le Street but there he also found so of what we enjoyed in 2017, so should be play an extra bowler? Brett Hutton did nothing wrong and ought to be in the eleven as well. It is not going to be an easy decision for Peter Moores - but that's what he's paid the big bucks for!