Lancashire LV Championship Div 1 at Trent Bridge Draw 8 points

 

Day 4

NERVE JANGLING, TITANIC TUSSLE ENDS IN DRAW

A day's play that was the complete antithesis of Bazball, but was no less full-on entertainment and a tremendous example of why we need to preserve the 18 county County Championship

Notts held on to seal a draw at Trent Bridge after a tremendous day's cricket. Lancashire who were 219 for 4 overnight batted the whole of the morning session to eventually declare during luncheon on 329 for 8. After losing two early wickets in overcast conditions, Steven Croft (49) and Tom Hartley (58 not out) added 91 for the seventh wicket in 24 overs, attacking the new ball with relish in easing conditions for batting. Lyndon James 3 for 45. Notts requiring 295 off 67 overs at 4.40 RPO in what was now the best batting conditions of the match. In form openers Duckett and Hameed were dismissed in the first 25 deliveries of the reply to virtually kill any chance of a home victory. Montgomery played a pleasing cameo of 30 but there followed a disastrous middle order collapse, Notts tumbling from 62-2 to 55-6 in the space of 26 balls as Balderson picked up three wickets. Notts looked dead and buried as a further 47.1 overs remained to be bowled. However, after the new ball had lost its shine, batting become easier in the afternoon sunshine and Hutton (23 off 141 balls, 2x4) and Clarke (42 off 88 balls, 5x4) joined forces and stayed together for 33.3 overs, before they both fell to Jimmy Anderson. Following Hutton’s dismissal, Notts still had 47 balls to face with only 2 wickets left, one Olly Stone nursing a hamstring injury. There was sub plot to all of this as Broad now playing the role of senior batter, had to keep at Anderson, a task he achieved and eventually facing 50 balls for his three not out. Slow left-armer Hartley was Anderson’s bowling partner and with all the men round the bat Fletcher was leg before to Hartley off the second delivery of the last over. The limping Stone came to the crease. It wasn’t quite like Colin Cowdrey at Lord’s against the Windies in 1963, but he survived the remaining four legal deliveries, the last ball being bowled twice as the first one was a no ball. Notts had defied the odds and claimed a breathless draw.


Off the second delivery of the morning, Bell (1) edged James to Duckett at second slip who took the catch diving low to his right, 220 for 5. The Big Man dismissed the Big Man as Fletcher bowled de Grandhomme for 4, 231 for 6 in the 63rd over. The ball jagged in and removed the de Grandhomme’s bails. Five overs later, Broad replaced James from the Pavilion End. Hutton replaced Fletcher for the 71st over. With the new ball imminent and an effort to speed up the over rate, James and Mullaney were reintroduced for the 76th and 77th overs. The new ball was taken by Hutton and Broad with Lancashire 280 for 6 off 80 overs. This was a cue for Croft and Hartley to put the foot on the accelerator as 49 came off the next 7.3 overs. A four through mid-on by Hartley off Hutton saw him to 50 off 80 balls. Hartley pulled the next ball for six over long leg. Croft (49 off 98 balls, 4x4) then fell caught behind by Clarke off Hutton, 322 for 7 in the 87th over. Bailey (6) missed a delivery from Fletcher, but non-striker Hartley hared down the pitch to attempt a bye, but keeper Clarke alert to the situation threw the ball to Fletcher who under armed the ball onto the stumps and ran out Bailey. Lunch was immediately taken with Lancashire 329 for 8 off 87.3 overs with Hartley undefeated on 58 (off 83 balls, 8x4, 1x6). Lancashire declared during lunch.

Notts required 295 off 67 overs. Hameed cover drove the second delivery of the innings for four off Anderson (Radcliffe Road End). The other opening bowler was Tom Bailey and Duckett hit him for two boundaries in his opening over. In the 4th over Duckett (8) was bowled playing on to his middle stump attempting a cut shot off Bailey, 12 for 1. In the fifth over, Hameed (4) edged Anderson to Bell behind the stumps, 12 for 2. Montgomery came in and hit a series of boundaries off both bowlers to the relieve the pressure. Anderson bowled a six over spell from the Radcliffe Road End before being replaced by Williams. Balderson came on for the 14th over. Slater (8), looking short of confidence, edged Balderson to Bell behind the stumps, his 39-ball struggle over, 52 for 3 in the 16th over. In the following over with Bell standing up to the stumps, Montgomery (30 off 40 balls, 5x4) lost his off stump to the ever-accurate Williams, 52 for 4. The wickets continued to fall as James (0) edged Balderson behind, 53 for 5 in the 18th over. In the 20th over, Mullaney (2) edged Balderson to Wells at first slip, 55 for 6. The third wicket for Balderson having a marvellous match. The game looked well and truly over, especially as Anderson returned for the 25th over. But Clarke and Hutton buckled down. Slow left armer Tom Hartley came just before tea, Clarke hitting his first delivery for four. Clarke had a wide hoick against Hartley but he missed the ball and luckily the delivery missed the stumps. Notts 74 for 6 off 29 overs at tea with Clarke on 12 and Hutton on 6. Thirty-eight overs still remained.

Anderson returned for the 32nd over replacing Hartley from the Pavilion End. After a three over spell from Anderson he made way for Balderson. The two batters were now looking solid. Williams came on from the Radcliffe Road End for the 41st over with a single for Clarke getting Notts to 100. A edged four for Clarke through third man saw the 50 partnership in 143 balls. Hartley returned for the 46th over. With 50 overs gone, Luke Wells came on to bowl a solitary over of leg spin. Anderson returned once more for the following over as he in tandem with Hartley bowled the remaining 16 overs of the contest. Clarke fell for 42 guiding a shortish delivery from Anderson to Croft at leg slip, 122 for 7 in the 54th over. Four overs later, Anderson (23) removed Hutton's middle stump with a peach delivery ending his 141-ball vigil. Forty-seven balls now remained, Broad decided to take Anderson and he withstood the barrage with some gamesmanship from both sides. Captain Vilas decided to preserve with Hartley, resisting the temptation to revert back to pace against Fletcher. With 5 balls remaining, Fletcher (1 off 14 balls) was out lbw to Hartley. Cue unbearable tension as Stone, with a hamstring injury came to the crease, he survived a leg before shout off the penultimate delivery the game. Hartley bowled what we thought was the last ball, but it was called a no ball but Stone confidently kept out the final delivery. Match drawn at 18:31. Notts 138 for 9 off 67 overs but a stoic effort to stave off a draw, Balderson 3 for 21 and Anderson 3 for 35. Anderson having a long bowling stint, bowling with 20 overs in the innings. Notts lie sixth in the standings, level on points with Lancashire but above them having won a match.

Notts head to Northants, in a crucial encounter. Paterson will no doubt return but its clear from the initial four games that the openers apart the batting is misfiring. With Duckett leaving for England duty in a fortnight, an overseas batsmen has surely got to be signed to cover his absence. MAG

Day 3

LATE WICKETS BRING NOTTS BACK INTO GAME AGAIN

Another truncated day at Trent Bridge saw only 32 overs bowled as Lancashire lead by 184 runs with 6 second innings wickets still standing when bad light and then rain stopped play for good at 18:07.

Play commenced on time under thick cloud after the teams had lined up before play to stand for the National Anthem to celebrate Coronation Day.

In front of a sparse crowd, Fletcher (Radcliffe Road End) and Hutton opened the bowling. A single for Balderson off Hutton in the 31st over saw him to 50 off 89 deliveries. In the following over a cover drive boundary for Bohannon off Fletcher brought up his 50 in 76 balls. Broad and Stone came on for the 36th and 37th overs respectively. Once again Stone bowled fast with the odd delivery troubling both batsmen, but they both survived intact. The Lancashire 150 came up in the 42nd over. A glorious boundary through the covers by Balderson off Stone brought up the 150 partnership in 215 balls. With Bohannon and Balderson well settled, Mullaney and James were brought on for the 45th and 46th overs respectively. It was getting increasingly dank with rain stopping play at 12:23 with Lancashire 195 for 1 off 47.3 overs with Balderson on 90 and Bohannon on 85.

The stoppage lasted over four and a half hours with play resuming at 17:00 with 26.2 overs scheduled to be still bowled. 

The pitch had clearly sweated under the covers and under heavy cloud, batting suddenly became a hazardous occupation once more with James in particular proving a handful. Off the second ball of the resumption Bohannon on 85 was dropped by the juggling Hutton at first slip off James. Balderson finally fell for an excellent 91 (off 153 balls, 16x4) caught at second slip by Duckett diving to the right off Stone, 203 for 2 in the 51st over. Ironically it had been Duckett who dropped him yesterday in the same position when the 22-year-old left hander at 4, an expensive miss. Balderson 9 runs short of a maiden first-class ton. Vilas faced one delivery before rain stopped play at 17:14 with Lancashire 203 for 2 off 51 overs with Bohannon on 92.

Play resumed six minutes later with one over lost. Bohannon (92 off 132 balls, 13x4) departed to the third delivery of the resumption caught low down at second slip by Duckett off James, 203 for 3 in the 52nd over. Bad light stopped play at 1725 with Lancashire 205 for 3 off 52 overs with Croft on 2 and Vilas on 0.

Play recommenced 10 minutes later. In the 57th over, Vilas (2) was leg before to James, umpire Bailey taking his time before raising the finger, 212 for 4. Stone went off injured with Lancashire 213 for 4 off 56.4 overs, Mullaney completed the over. Hutton came on for the 59th over. Bad light stopped play for the final time at 18:07 with Lancashire 219 for 4 off 59 overs with Croft on 13 and Bell on 1. Notts had taken three Lancashire wickets for 24 runs in 11.3 overs play in bowling friendly conditions after the long afternoon stoppage.

Lancashire will probably bat for 90 or so minutes tomorrow and set Notts a challenging target in what should be a much drier day with plenty of afternoon sunshine. MAG

Day 2

NOTTS FIGHT BACK IN DAY OF ALMOST, BUT NOT QUITES, BEFORE LANCASHIRE END SOLIDLY 

with the last session lost to rain

• Almost a Hameed century (three runs short)
• Almost a batting bonus point (one run short)

Lancashire lead by 63 runs with nine wickets standing on a truncated day at Day 2. Despite a very mixed forecast play continued uninterrupted in mainly sunny conditions up to tea which was taken at 16:16. Black clouds gathered during tea and light rain began to fall and a heavy cloudburst at 17:00 ensured there was no further play. Notts HAD fought back well in the first half of the day as Haseeb Hameed fell three short of a deserved century having played arguably his best innings for Notts. After losing Mullaney and Hutton relatively early. Hameed shared partnerships of 50 and 38 with Stone (22) and Broad (26) respectively as Notts eventually fell one short of an unexpected batting bonus point and with a lead of 35. With the sun shining and the wicket no longer green, batting appeared to much easier, Lancashire closing on 63 for 1 off 27 overs.

Notts started the day on 119 for 5 off 37.5 overs. In the 41st over, Mullaney (27) chipped Bailey straight to Anderson at mid-on, 125 for 6. Hutton (7) lasted 27 balls before edging a moving delivery from Bailey into Bell's gloves, 138 for 7 after 48 overs. Balderson came on for the 52nd over and two boundaries for Hameed saw Notts to 150. Hameed and Stone batted very sensibly the 50-partnership taking 82 balls. But then Stone (22) got a thin edge to a Balderson delivery and was caught behind by Bell, 188 for 8 after 62 overs. Broad hit fours off de Grandhomme and Balderson respectively to take Notts to 200 in the 64th over. A straight four by Broad off Balderson saw Notts to a first innings lead in the 66th over. Notts 218 for 8 off 66 overs at lunch with Hameed on 95 and Broad on 17.

Broad was dropped on 18 by Wells at first slip off Bailey. Hameed departed lbw to Williams for 97 off 198 balls (11x4), 226 for 9 in the 67th over. He had held the innings together and showed the sound technique that you needed to get runs on what was for the first day at least, a very tricky pitch. Broad (26) was last man to go caught by Bell off Williams. It was a daft dismissal Broad playing an indeterminate leg side slog and seemingly getting an edge. Although Broad himself appeared to think it just brushed his hip. Notts had missed out a bonus point by one run. Fletcher 15 not out. Notts 249 all out off 72.4 overs. Notts led by 35 runs. Anderson did not take a wicket bowling 13 overs for 49. The three seamers Balderson, Williams, Bailey took three wickets apiece, all bowling line and length bowling. Kiwi Williams the pick of the bunch.

Hutton (Radcliffe Road End) and Fletcher opened the bowling and Fletcher picked up the first wicket when he had Wells (11) edging to Clarke behind the stumps, 15 for 1 in the 8th over. Balderson was dropped on 4 in the following over by Duckett diving to his right at second slip off Hutton. Broad replaced Fletcher for the 12th over. Stone was introduced for the 15th over. Both were once again not at their best but Stone did bowl a few express pace deliveries having one particular good over. Bohannon and Balderson attacked the England pair the 50-partnership coming off 66 balls. James came on the 26th over. Mullaney bowled the last over before tea, Lancashire 98 for 1 off 27 overs at the interval with Balderson on 44 and Bohannon on 38.

Sporadic light rain arrived at teatime as the skies darkened. A heavy shower arrived at 1700 and play was called off for the day at 17:23.

Day 1

LANCASHIRE TAKE CHARGE ON FRENETIC FIRST DAY, ON SUBSTANDARD PITCH

 After an absorbing opening days cricket on a poor pitch at Trent Bridge, Lancashire lead by 96 runs as Notts closed on 119-5 when bad light stopped play with 11.1 overs still to be bowled at 18:10.

Notts won the toss and inserted Lancashire on a cloudy morning with a stiff easterly wind blowing. Notts brought Stone and Fletcher into the Eleven and left out Paterson and Patterson-White. The pitch had a short boundary on the Bridgford Road side. 

Notts bowled poorly in the first hour bowling too short and too wide and Lancashire sped off to a rapid start reaching 80-1 in the 14th over. In-form Brett Hutton (5-66) led the way as Lancashire collapsed from 80-1 to 155-8 but on a pitch with much sideways movement, Notts allowed Lancashire to add a crucial 59 for the last two wickets as Bailey blasted 48 off 29 balls (6x4, 2x6) aided by negative field settings with too many men stationed on the boundary. Josh Bohannon batted impressively for his 72-ball 68 (9x4). Notts despite their indifferent bowling caught superbly with three catches in the outfield being particularly high class. When Notts batted, the Lancashire bowlers were much impressive sticking to line and length and with the pitch offering lavish movement, Notts limped to 58-4 and 85-5 before Mullaney (21*) joined the impressive Hameed (57*) as 34 were added in the last seven overs in indifferent light.


Broad (Pavilion End) and Hutton opened the bowling but both bowled disappointing spells. Wells attacked both of them, hitting three boundaries before edging Hutton into Clarke's gloves, 21 for one in the 6th over. Bohannon joined Balderson and the runs continued to flow. With Lancashire 44 for 1 off 8 overs, Stone replaced Broad. Two boundaries from Bohannon off Stone's opening over saw Lancashire to 50. Next over, Fletcher replaced Hutton and at last Notts found a bowler who put the ball on the spot. Two offside boundaries by Balderson in Stone's 3rd over brought up the 50 partnership off 46 deliveries. The runs were still coming in torrents and it was a surprise when Balderson (24) edged Fletcher to Hutton at first slip who took a simple catch, 80 for 2 off 14 overs. Broad and Hutton returned for the 21st and 22nd overs. A four through extra cover by Croft off Hutton brought up the Lancashire 100 in the 22nd over, but Notts fought back taking three wickets for 9 runs. A poor shot by Croft (8), who failed to get to the pitch of the ball, saw him waft outside off stump to Broad with Clarke taking the catch off a bottom edge, 109 for 3 after 23 overs. Vilas went for a golden duck caught by James at first slip off Hutton, 110 for 4 in the 24th over. Bell (5) fell to a sharp slip catch by Duckett low down to his left off Hutton, lunch was immediately taken with Lancashire 118 for 5 off 27.1 overs with Bohannon on 61.

In the 31st over, a poor shot from de Grandhomme saw him fall to fine diving catch low down to his left at wide third man by Hameed off Broad, 131 for 6. Three overs later, Bohannon (68 off 72 balls) was bowled by Hutton to a delivery that cut back sharply and took out his off stump, 146 for 7. Brett Hutton picked up fifth wicket as Hartley flicked him to leg and Slater took a splendid leaping catch to his right at long leg, 155 for 8 in the 36th over. Hutton then made way for Fletcher for the 40th over. A fine diving catch by James moving to his right at wide third man saw the end of Williams (3) as Stone picked up his first wicket, 186 for 9 in the 41st over. Bailey hoisted Fletcher for a legside six into The Fridge. Bailey hooked Stone for 6 over keeper Clarke's head. Bailey and Anderson added 28 for the last wicket before Anderson was smartly caught above his head by Duckett at second slip off Stone. Lancashire 214 all out off 44.2 overs, Brett Hutton 5 for 66. Broad far from his best took 2-41 and Stone, who like at Southampton, bowled too short on the helpful deck, 2-58. Lancashire who clearly decided that attack was the best option on the sporting deck got a challenging total. Notts will not only regret their poor bowling in the first hour but also their decision to rest Paterson on a wicket tailored made him. They however fought back well aided by three outstanding outfield catches.

Notts were scheduled to bat for 49 overs. In the second over of the reply, Bailey removed Duckett's (5) middle stump via a yorker, 6 for 1. A terrible shot from Slater (2) saw him chip Bailey at square leg to Anderson, 14 for 2 in the 6th over. Williams (Radcliffe Road End) replaced Anderson in the 9th over. Bailey after a six over opening spell made way for Anderson. Notts 46 for 2 off 17 overs at tea with Hameed on 30 and Montgomery on 5.

Williams and Balderson bowled together immediately after tea with Bell standing up to the stumps. Notts reached 50 in the 21st over but bowling was right on the button and the run scoring had virtually dried up. Montgomery (9) who stuck it out for 51 balls never looked settled and he eventually fell leg before to Balderson, 52 for 3 after 22 overs. Clarke did not last long departing for a six ball 4, caught behind by wicket keeper Bell off Balderson, 58 for 4 in the 24th over. Three overs, de Grandhomme replaced Williams and the calm and impressive Hameed cover drove his second delivery to the boundary. James on 2 had a let off as he edged a ball from Balderson between Bell and first slip neither man moving and the ball going to the ropes. Two balls later James hit Balderson for four through the covers. With the floodlights just flicked on, James (10) edged de Grandhomme to Hartley at first slip, 85 for 5 after 31 overs. Hameed got his 50 off 92 balls with a single off de Grandhomme. The light was now visibly deteriorating. A leg glance for four by Hameed off de Grandhomme saw Notts to 100 in the 35th over. Anderson returned but 18:10 umpires Saggers and Bailey took the players off for bad light with Notts 119-5 off 37.5 overs. Hameed 57 not out off 109 balls had played the longest and most impressive innings of the day on what can only be described as a sub-standard pitch. With Notts possessing a long tail, Lancashire will be happier of the two teams, particularly after being put in. Much hard work lies ahead. MAG

Notts have annnounced a 13 man squad, which reveals Luke Fletcher is fit again.

Ben Duckett
Haseeb Hameed

Ben Slater

Matt Montgomery

Joe Clarke

Lyndon James

Steven Mullaney

Liam Patterson-White

Brett Hutton

Olly Stone

Stuart Broad

Luke Fletcher

Dane Paterson

Lancashire Squad news, no Jennings.

Clarity, not before time

The King's Coronation, Saturday 6 May

While there will be no changes to the hours of play on Saturday 6 May, the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will be marked with the playing of the national anthem before play. 

No Regrets

No regrets, they say. We would do it again, they say. That's the reckless Erics telling us it's fine to flush 5 points away and give the opposition another 11 points and then the confidence to win their next game with ease too. That's Bazball, it's all about excitement, apparently! Is it exciting when even a blind hamster can see that a target isn't that difficult or it would be near impossible to bowl a team out on that particular pitch in 40 overs, unless that team were pushing hard (too hard, which Middlesex didn't have to)? No, but perhaps that's inclusion, as the blind hamster would testify.

Why can't they just admit it, for all the iPads and black hoodies sitting around, they made a miscalculation and got carried away (or allowed Broady to carry them away), in the Bazball jamboree?


We'll see if there are any regrets come the end of September.


In this round of the Championship we greet winless, yet undefeated, Lancashire who on paper don't give their points away and sit level on points with Notts. There's no Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in 2023 (don't listen to the noise coming from Pravda), so will Jimmy play for Lancashire? No Jimmy, so would Broady sit this one out?

It has to be Olly Stone's turn, surely? 

Pravda has been tight-lipped about the absent trio of Fletcher, Ball and Moores. If Moores isn't fit, will they stick with Clarke keeping even after his nightmare in Middlesex's gallop to victory? Dan Schadendorf hasn't done himself many favours with the short series of low scores for the Seconds, but his keeping would still be an asset.

More "ors" than the boat-race

Cagey Peter will have to choose: will it be Broady v Jimmy, or Stoney v Saqi, or both? Or something else?

Testing allegiances

Day 3 will coincide with the coronation of King Charles III, will playing conditions remain as standard, denying any players, that wish to do so, the opportunity to swear an oath of allegiance to Chas and his descendants at the appointed moment in the ceremony. The current lack of clarity on this from the ECB is astounding, as there must several Australians playing County Cricket that will be itching to pledge their allegiance to the Crown in the motherland. Surely any amendments to playing conditions will be known prior to the toss; hopefully it will be business as usual.

Day 4 is Notts County's play-off semi-final against bore 'em wood, with a 12.30 kick-out. All could be done and dusted at Trent Bridge long before then however, unless Notts have improved in the batting department. Hopefully the only team playing pretty recklessly over the weekend will be wearing red roses.

George Bell

In no way would Nottsview wish to be misinterpreted and understand that hamsters, blind or otherwise, are in no way less able than other rodents in calculating necessary run rates. 

Clearly this piece is writen tongue in cheek and no offence is intended towards rodents, royalists or Australians (or maybe Australians, a little bit).