Durham LV= Championship Division 2 at Trent Bridge Win 23 points

 

Day 4

NOTTS CHAMPIONS

of Division 2

As expected, Notts were crowned Division 2 champions crushing Durham by the massive margin of 462 runs. It was Notts highest victory by runs in the championship, beating their 330-run victory over Derbyshire in 1904. It was also the fourth highest in championship history, the highest being Surrey’s 483 runs victory over Leicestershire at the Oval in 2002.


Notts only needed 30.5 overs to take the remaining seven wickets this morning, with David Bedingham still indisposed with his dislocated shoulder. Play got underway in intermittent sunshine. In the 12th over, Borthwick (4) was leg before to Broad, 20 for 3. Paterson replaced Broad from the Pavilion End for the 16th over. Patterson-White came on for the 19th over, Maddinson surviving a confident leg before shout with his first ball. With his fourth delivery he had Trevaskis caught by Mullaney, 40 for 4. The batsman attempting a sweep played the ball onto his boot and it ballooned to Mullaney at slip.

In the following over, Maddinson (13) was lbw to Paterson, 40 for 5. Benjamin (33) went on the attack in 42 ball innings stroking five fours. On 24 he was put down, an easy chance to Mullaney at slip off Patterson-White. But he was smartly caught at second slip by Montgomery off Broad, 84 for 6 in the 32nd over. Raine was bowled by Patterson-White for 1, 87 for 7. Paterson replaced Broad for the 36th over and Potts (10) was brilliantly caught by Montgomery diving low to his left at second slip, 98 for 8. Bushnell brought up the Durham 100 with a pulled six over square leg off Paterson. Lunch was delayed as Durham were eight wickets down. Bushnell hit Patterson-White for two fours in three balls. At 1237, Patterson-White bowled the ball to Bushnell (29) who edged the legside ball whilst off balance and Moores took the catch. Durham 114 all out off 38.5 overs. Notts had won by the massive margin of 462 runs and were presented with the Division 2 trophy in front of large gathering of spectators soon after the final wicket. The wickets were shared around with Broad (3-36) and Patterson-White (3-41) the standouts.

It was a much-deserved triumph with Notts winning eight matches, doubling the bottom three (Sussex, Leicestershire and Durham) and recording home wins against Worcestershire and Derbyshire. Only two defeats were obtained against Glamorgan in the second game and Worcestershire in the penultimate game. Very much mission accomplished!

Congratulations to all the team. MAG

Day 3

NOTTS PROMOTED

to Division 1

Notts deservedly secured promotion to the first division today after they bowled out Durham for 207 in their first innings and gained the seven bonus points they needed. Surprisingly not enforcing the follow-on, they eventually set Durham a nominal 577 to win and they limped to the close on 14-2; handicapped by the absence of David Bedingham who could not bat in either innings due to a shoulder injury. The divisional title can only allude Notts if a) they lose or b) they lose points for slow over rate and if Middlesex defeat Worcestershire.

The cool northernly wind remained but the sun was shining at 1030 this morning as Notts picked up an early wicket when Borthwick (27) was caught by Hameed at backward point off Fletcher (Radcliffe Road End), 74 for 3 in the 23rd over. Three overs later, night watchman Drissell (16) smashed Paterson straight to Mullaney at short mid-wicket, 80 for 4. The Durham 100 came up in the 30th over. Patterson-White came on for the following over as Maddinson hit him for a leg side four and a six over wide long on in his opening over. Bushnell was dropped on 12 as Patterson-White failed to hold on to sharp caught and bowled chance. Broad returned and Bushnell was greeted with a bizarre line of four leg side fielders in a row. Maddinson hit Patterson-White for successive legside sixes to bring up the 50 partnership with Bushnell in the 37th over. Maddinson’s (40) entertaining innings ended as he was caught at first slip by Clarke off Broad, 135 for 5 in the 38th over. Benjamin was excellently caught by the juggling Montgomery at short leg off Patterson-White for a duck, 140 for 6 after 38 overs. Durham got to lunch on 155 for 6 off 47 overs with Bushnell on 25 and Raine on 9.

With the fourth ball after lunch, Paterson had Raine (9) lbw on the back foot, 155 for 7. In the 53rd over, Potts hit Patterson-White for 6 over mid-wicket. Bushnell (37) was caught at first slip by Mullaney off Patterson-White, 183 for 8 in the 55th over. Potts (40) hit Patterson-White for a straight six and a legside four and in the next over, he guided Paterson for successive fours but he hit the following delivery straight to Slater on the deep mid-wicket. Durham 207 all out off 57.4 overs. A great team bowling performance led by Paterson (3 for 50) and Patterson-White (3 for 73).

Despite the massive lead of 455, Mullaney cited the reason that he wanted to rest his three main seamers as Notts elected to bat once more. Slater (8) hit two boundaries in the opening over of the innings, but was dismissed off the 12th ball of the innings, caught at first slip by Drissell off Potts, 9 for 1 off 2 overs. Hameed and Montgomery batted sedately until Montgomery (9) was caught at second slip by Dickson off Raine, 30 for 2 in the 11th over.

50 off 52 balls partnership. Clarke joined Hameed, in the 17th over they both hit boundaries off Gibson. Drissell replaced Gibson and Hameed hit successive boundaries off the last over before tea. Notts 81 for 2 off 19 overs at the interval with Hameed 39 and Clarke 18.

Clarke hit Trevaskis for six over square leg in the 30th over, but shortly after bad light stopped play at 1635 with Notts 121 for 2 off 30.2 overs with Hameed on 49 and Clarke on 48. Umpires Newell and Pratt decided at 1720 with the sun shining, play could recommence as Notts immediately declared setting Durham 577 to win.

Play resumed at 1730 with 14 overs remaining in the day. Fletcher (Radcliffe Road End) and Broad took the new ball. Broad picked up a wicket with his second delivery having Dickson (0) caught at third slip by James diving to the left, 0 for 1. Night watchman Drissell was plumb leg before to Fletcher for 6, 13 for 2 in the 7th over. Bad light stopped play at 1806 with Durham 14 for 2 off 8 overs with Trevaskis on 6 and Borthwick on 0.

Notts have offered free admittance to all tomorrow, as they need another seven wickets to secure the Division 2 title. Mission almost accomplished. MAG

Day 2

NOTTS PILE ON THE RUNS PASSING MANY A MILESTONE

Another two bonus points in the bag, promotion all but secured

Notts finished the second day of their final four-day fixture against Durham in a position of totally dominance leading by 609 runs as Durham closed on 53 for 2 in their first innings. Notts amassed an enormous 662 for 5 declared in their innings, the joint seventh highest innings total in their history. There were four centurions in their innings (Hameed 115, Montgomery 178, James 164 not out and Mullaney 136) for only the second time in their history. The first occurrence was in 1928 at the Butts Ground in Coventry where Warwickshire were their opponents. In that game Notts scored 656 for 3 declared with centuries for George Gunn 148, Dodge Whysall 132, Willis Walker 146 not out) and Fred Barratt 139 not out. Those were the days, Warwickshire replied with 371-9 but the whole of the last day was washed out due to rain. A total 1,027 runs scored in two days with 289 overs bowled. That’s 144.5 overs per day, what a workload Mr Strauss!


After a dank morning, the sun burst through just before 1030 and play continued uninterrupted until bad light called a halt in proceedings at 1802. The bitterly cold north westerly wind remained. In the 87th over, Clarke’s (28) mediocre batting season finished when he was caught at second slip by Dickson off Potts, 277 for 3. A single for Montgomery off Gibson saw Notts to 300 in the 96th over as they made a slow start to the day. But James and Montgomery accelerated as a four through point off Bushnell by James saw Notts to 350 in the 106th over. Montgomery got to his 150 off 304 balls with a single to third man off Bushnell. After 110 overs, Notts were 363 for 3; four batting bonus gathered, three bowling points or a draw in the match would secure Notts promotion. The 100 partnership between the two youngsters came off 157 balls via a leg glance for four by Montgomery off Trevaskis. A four through wide third man by James off Drissell saw him to 50 off 86 balls. Notts got to lunch were 402 for 3 off 119 overs with Montgomery on 164 and James on 61. Notts had score 126 runs in the morning session for the loss of Clarke.

The run scoring continued in the afternoon sunshine. The 150 partnership was brought up in 238 balls. Montgomery looked like he was heading for a double ton, but played on to Potts for a magnificent 178 (353 balls, 24x4), 434 for 4 in the 129th over. In the 133rd over, Mullaney hit the first six of the game pulling Potts for 6 into the Fox Road Stand, it was the first of seven the skipper hit as with James they shared a 5th wicket stand of 224 in 33.3 overs to take the game away from Durham. Their stand was Notts’ highest for the 5th wicket against Durham beating the 185 added by Robinson and Lewis at Trent Bridge in Notts first-ever first-class match against the North Easterners in 1992. Mullaney hit slow left-armer Trevaskis for 6 over wide mid-on in the 135th over. Notts reached 500 in the 140th over. James on 99 was dropped by keeper Benjamin off Trevaskis with the ball ricocheting towards third man which enabled James to reach his 100 off 158 balls. James had scored his maiden first-class ton at the Riverside in April Mullaney reached his 50 off 49 balls with a six over extra cover off Trevaskis. Bushnell was hit for six over wide mid-on by the skipper in the following over. The 100 partnership between James and Mullaney came up 94 balls. The 550 came up in the 145th over. Tea was taken early as Bedingham appeared to dislocate his left shoulder falling awkwardly try to field the ball at mid-wicket. Notts 562 for 4 off 147 overs at the interval with James on 126 and Mullaney on 76.

Notts added a further 100 runs in 14.5 overs after the tea before the declaration came.

The 150 partnership came up at exactly a run a ball. Mullaney reached his 100 off 91 balls with a single off Drissell; his third ton of the season. A swept four for James off Trevaskis got to him to 150 off 268 balls. Mullaney hit Trevaskis for sixes over mid-wicket and square leg off successive balls. Next over, an offside four for James off Drissell saw him past his career best score of 155 made against Middlesex at Trent Bridge in June. Still the declaration would not come, Mullaney needing 143 to reach 1,000 runs for the season. The next milestone was the 200 partnership which was achieved in 184 balls. Mullaney hit Maddinson, who bowled a solitary over for 13, for 6 over mid-wicket as Notts got to 650 in the 159th over. The third new ball was taken with Notts 657 for 4 off 160.4 overs. Mullaney finally departed caught behind off Raine for 136 (off 111 balls, 10x4, 7x6); Mullaney seven short of four figures. James with another brilliant knock 164 not out off 222 balls (19x4). Notts 662 for 5 declared off 161.5 overs had all but secured promotion. Raine (35.5-7-98-2) and Potts (35-12-83-3) toiled manfully on the featherbed deck. The rest of bowling was ordinary: Gibson (17-1-100-0), Bushnell (16-0-76-0), Trevaskis (34-1-173-0) and Drissell (23-1-107-0).

Durham with Bedingham seemingly unlikely to bat in either innings had a mountain to climb. Fletcher (Radcliffe Road End) and Broad opened the bowling and in the 6th over, Trevaskis was lbw to Broad for 6, 11 for 1. Paterson replaced Broad for the 12th over. But with the light fading, Notts were forced to bring Patterson-White on from the Radcliffe Road End for the 13th over and off his fifth ball, Dickson (20) top edged a pull shot and skied the ball gently to Broad at mid-on who took the catch, 35 for 2. Montgomery came on for the following over. With the light marginally improving, Dane Paterson returned for the 16th over and Broad for the 17th over, but with the cloud moving over the sun, Broad only bowled two balls before bad light stopped play at 1802 with Durham 53 for 2 off 16.2 overs with Borthwick on 12 and nightwatchman Drissell on 9.

Meanwhile Middlesex nine points behind Notts prior to the final round of fixtures, are well on top at New Road. So, what would happen if Notts and Middlesex were tied at the top with the same number of points, which would only occur should Notts fail to win…

Read on. Rule 16.2.7 of the championship reads

The side which has the highest aggregate of points gained at the end of the season shall be the Champion County of their respective Division. Should any sides in the Championship table be equal on points, the following tie-breakers will be applied in the order stated: most wins, fewest losses, team achieving most points in contests between teams’ level on points, most wickets taken, most runs scored.


Both teams would have 7 wins and 2 losses, so we go to tie breaker 3

The match at Lord’s ended up 11-11 tie, thanks to the infamous 4-point deduction for slow over rate given to Notts



The game at TB, another draw, ended with Notts getting 15 and Middlesex 14 points.

Advantage Notts! MAG

Day 1

CENTURIES FOR HAMEED AND MONTY

Two points in the bag, another five to go!

So far so good ! Notts finished the opening day on a healthy 276 for 2 having won the toss and elected to bat against visitors Durham. As expected, the surface very batsman friendly and lacked pace. Notts have so far accumulated two of the seven points they require for promotion.

Stuart Broad, making a surprise reappearance, and Fletcher came into the Notts line-up at the expense of Hutton and Ball. Durham were without Michael Jones (preparing for the T20 World Cup with Scotland), Rushworth (side strain) and Paul Coughlin

Raine (Pavilion End) and Potts opened the bowling on a cool morning with a brisk north westerly wind blowing. Initially it was a struggle for Slater and Hameed as they played and missed against the new ball. Conditions were gloomy with the floodlights being switched on after 5 overs. Gibson came on for the 9th over and batting became a lot easier as he conceded 21 runs in his opening three overs. Raine switched ends and replaced Potts from the Radcliffe Road End in the 14th over. Slater was dropped on 18 by Borthwick at second slip off Gibson. Bushnell came on bowling right-arm medium pace in the 17th over. In the 19th over, Slater (23) got an inside edge to Raine and was caught behind by keeper Benjamin, on-loan from Warwickshire, 49 for 1 after 18 overs. Hameed was playing a number of pleasing strokes as the sun started shining. Potts came on from the Pavilion End in the 25th over and the following over was bowled by slow left-armer Liam Trevaskis. Notts went to lunch on 94 for 1 off 32 overs with Hameed on 44 and Montgomery on 20.

In the 34th over, Hameed got to his 50 off 88 balls with a single off Trevaskis. Gibson returned for the 43rd over. Drissell was introduced for the 46th over and his first three balls went 434 as a boundary for Montgomery brought up the 100 partnership. Potts was given his third spell in the 51st over. After 3 overs for 19, Drissell made way for Bushnell from the Radcliffe Road End. Montgomery got a two off Potts to reach his 50 off 112 balls. Hameed reached his fourth 100 of the season off 145 balls with a single off Bushnell. The 150 partnership between Hameed and Montgomery was achieved via an edged four by Montgomery off Bushnell in the 56th over. In the next over, Notts reached 200. Hameed (115 off 171 balls, 17x4) fell to catch at second slip by Borthwick off Potts, 229 for 2 in the 63rd over. The second wicket of partnership of 180 between Hameed and Montgomery was the highest for Notts against Durham beating the 115 added by Darren Bicknell and Greg Blewett at Trent Bridge 21 years ago. Notts got to tea on 231 for 2 off 65 overs with Montgomery on 84 and Clarke on 0.

A four through point by Montgomery off Drissell saw Notts to 250 in the 72nd over. The floodlights were now back on and the light slowly deteriorating. A single into the covers by Montgomery off Trevaskis saw him to an impressive maiden first-class hundred off 198 balls. The first of what should be many, The new ball was taken by Potts and Raine with Notts 272 for 2 off 80 overs. Clarke on 27 was dropped by Benjamin off Potts, a very easy chance. Soon afterwards at 1635, the umpiring combination of Newell and Pratt decided the light was too poor to continue. Play was called off at 1720 rather too hastily, with the sun bursting through over the TBI. Notts 276 for 2 off 84.3 overs at stumps with Montgomery on 101 and Clarke on 28. Potts and Raine had bowled 40.3 overs and took 2-81. The support bowling was unthreatening going wicketless in 44 overs and conceding 186 runs. With Middlesex and Glamorgan already well placed for victory, Notts cannot afford to be complacent tomorrow morning. MAG

Engraved on the September tablet of stone is the following squad:

Ben Slater
Haseeb Hameed

Matt Montgomery

Joe Clarke

Lyndon James

Steven Mullaney C

Tom Moores   x

Liam Patterson-White

Brett Hutton

Luke Fletcher

Jake Ball

Dane Paterson

For the full now released squad, add to those, in a state of shock, Toby Pettman and Stuart Broad

Durham squad: Sean Dickson, Graham Clark, Nic Maddinson, David Bedington, Scott Borthwick, Paul Coughlin, Chris Benjamin, Liam Trevaskis, Ben Raine, Matty Potts, Oliver Gibson, George Drissell, Jonathan Bushnell

Notts must not lose this game, manage that and promotion should be assured, barring any point deductions that might materialise. Notts require 7 points in the bag or Glamorgan to drop some bonus points and Notts to bag the difference to a total of 7 points minimum, if Glamorgan were to go on to win.

To be crowned champions would need a win or Middlesex to trip-up at Worcester in some way, if Notts fail to win.

Glamorgan are at Hove where Sussex are without Pujara.