Somerset Vitality County Championship Div 1 at Trent Bridge Draw 13 pts

Day 4

Ben Slater 150

SLATER CASHES IN BUT THE DOCILE PITCH ENSURES A TAME DRAW

Just one wicket fell on the last day with Notts declaring at 16:50 on 425-2 off 130 overs. Leading the way was Ben Slater who stood firm for 377 balls and 498 minutes for his undefeated 168 (20x4, 1x6). The vast majority of Slater’s runs were square of the wicket with the left hander taking advantage of the short Bridgford Road boundary. He received support from nightwatchman Olly Stone (63 off 137 balls, 9x4) and Will Young (68* off 112 balls, 12x4) who had a gentle "net" in the middle.

The wicket was dead all day. Notts scored 115 in the morning session of 30 overs as both overnight batsmen survived the two hours. In the 65th over a straight driven four by Stone off Overton took Notts to 200. Stone then hit three boundaries off four balls off Pretorius in the 69th over. Slater reached his first ton of 2024 off 229 balls with a pulled single off Aldridge in the 80th over. The 100 partnership came up in 176 balls via a four through point by Slater off Aldridge. An edged four by Stone off Ball took him to 50 off 100 balls. Notts 293 for 1 off 88 overs with Slater on 123 and Stone on 53. Notts were always likely to bat all day on such a docile strip.

The new ball was taken immediately after lunch by Ball and Leach. Stone (63) was dismissed lbw playing across the line to Ball; 308 for 2 in the 97th over. Stone has scored 268 runs @44.66 in his four championship appearances this season including three half-tons, two in this match. The second wicket had added 136 in 44 overs, a partnership that ensured the draw. Slater got to his 150 off 317 balls with a single off Umeed. Notts 396 for 2 off 117 overs at tea with Slater 159 and Young on 48.

Only 50 minutes play remained and the players and umpires were not in any hurry with the match long since become uncompetitive. Kohler-Cadmore took over behind the stumps straight after tea. Young was dropped on 48 by Rew at mid-wicket off Umeed. Notts reached 400 in the 120th over. A cover boundary by Young off Umeed took him to his half ton off 81 balls. The 100 partnership came up in 154 balls and eventually had reached 117 when hands were shaken. Somerset had used nine bowlers including keeper Rew who bowled the final over. The new points structure for the championship has a lot to answer for with the eight points for the draw encouraging the dead pitch prepared for the contest. A total of 1,255 runs were scored in an uninterrupted match for the loss of just 22 wickets. Not what spectators want to see. Notts had though been in dire straits at 190-7 on day 1 and without those lower order first innings runs, would have lost the match. They take 13 points from the match and currently lie sixth in the standings. The next games are extremely challenging: Lancashire (Southport), Durham (CLS), Surrey (TB) and Essex (Chelmsford). MAG

 

Day 3

NOTTS WIPE-OUT DEFICIT AND EDGE AHEAD ON DOCILE PITCH

With the wicket easing Notts closed Day 3 with a lead of 67 runs with nine second innings wickets still standing after another day of unrelenting heat at Trent Bridge.

Somerset resumed on 293-4 but had a mid-morning collapse losing four wickets for 41 runs in 7 overs. Somerset got to 300 in 89th over via a short ball from Stone (Pavilion End) which hit Abell direct on the helmet and ricocheted to the boundary, 4 leg byes. Abell clearly unsettled. Paterson started at the Radcliffe Road End but was replaced for the 92nd over by Harrison. Pennington replaced the unlucky Stone for the 95th over. It was Harrison that made the breakthrough having Abell lbw to Harrison for 111 (off 230 balls, 12x4); 315 for 5 in the. 96th over. Aldridge was dismissed for a 7-ball duck brilliantly caught by Harrison diving two-handed to his right; 316 for 6 in the 97th over. Pennington got his second wicket in consecutive overs when Rew (49 off 99 balls, 6x4) feathered a catch to Moores; 321 for 7 in the 99th over. Skipper Overton had come at eight had clearly decided that the team would go on all out offence with the bat. Pennington conceded 14 runs in the 101st over including three boundaries, two to Overton and one to Pretorius. In the following over, Overton hit Harrison for six over long on, Pretorius then found the ropes twice more in the same over; once again 14 off the over. Overton (20) fell in the next over leg before to Pennington; 356 for 8 in the 103rd over.

From this point onwards bat dominated for the rest of the day. Pretorious and Leach shared a 9th wicket of stand of 79 in 13 overs. Pretorius reverse swept Harrison to the ropes to give Somerset the lead. He then hit the leg spinner for a six over mid-wicket; 12 off the 104th over. Leach hit Harrison for six over long on; 12 off over number 106. The next over went for 15, Pretorius hitting Pennington for an enormous six over mid-wicket and then Leach hitting for consecutive boundaries to take Somerset to 400 in the 107th over. Hameed very bravely kept Harrison on. Pretorius hit Harrison for a straight six to bring the 50 partnership in 30 balls. Stone returned for the 109th over and a single for Pretorius saw him to 50 off 32 balls. After 110 overs, Somerset were 415 for 8; Notts securing only two bowling points. At lunch Somerset were 424 for 8 off 113 overs with Pretorius on 55 and Leach on 32.

In the 116th over, Leach (37) was caught behind off Harrison, 435 for 9. Ball although failing to score was involved in a partnership of 35 for the last wicket which took in a further five overs. Pretorius hit Harrison for six over square leg and out of the ground and then found the ropes thrice more on the trot; 19 off the 118th over. James came on for Harrison for the 120th over, his sole over of the day. Pennington then came on and Pretorius launched him for six over wide long off. Ball was then lbw to Pennington, who finished with career best Notts figures of 5 for 96. Somerset 470 all out off 121 overs. Pretorius followed up his 77 off 70 balls at Taunton with a Somerset best 95 not out off 71 balls (8x4, 6x6). Harrison's reward for bowling 39 overs in the heat was figures of 3-173. Somerset with a sizeable first innings lead of 110.

Overton (Pavilion End) and Ball shared the new ball in ideal batting conditions. With Notts 24 for 0 off 7 overs Leach came on for a long bowl from the Radcliffe Road End. Pretorius was introduced from the Pavilion End for the 13th over but both openers were untroubled. Notts reached 50 in the 18th over in comical fashion, Hameed played the ball to Umeed at mid-off with the fielder attempting to run him put the ball went for four overthrows, five runs to Hameed. Kasey Aldridge came on from the Pavilion End for the 23rd over. Notts were 72 for 0 off 26 overs at tea with Hameed on 34 and Slater on 36.

Notts added a further 105 runs in the last session. A pulled six by Slater over square leg off Aldridge took him to 50 off 101 balls. Notts got to three figures in the following over, the 100-stand taking 202 balls. Ball returned for a second spell for the 35th over. An offside single by Hameed off Ball took him to his half ton off 107 balls in the 39th over. After 17 over spell from the Radcliffe Road End, Leach was replaced by Pretorius. Umeed came on for the 43rd over. Successive boundaries by Hameed off Umeed brought up the 150 stand in 283 balls. Leach and Overton returned for the 50th and 51st overs respectively. With 6 overs remaining in the day, Hameed (91 off 158 balls, 10x4) was bowled by Overton; 172 for 1 in the 53rd over. Stone (3 not out) was sent in as nightwatchman and he along with Slater (70 not out off 168 balls, 7x4,1x6) survived to close with Notts standing on 177 for 1 off 58 overs on the very docile pitch. MAG

Day 2

ABELL AND LAMMONBY PUT CIDERMEN IN STRONG POSITION

Somerset dominated the second day at hot and humid Trent Bridge closing just 67 runs behind with six first innings wickets still standing. Fine innings from Lammonby and Abell were the highlights of the day. Somerset possessing four Toms in their top five!

Notts added 34 runs to the overnight score in nine overs this morning. Overton and Pretorius opened the bowling. An edged four by Pennington off Pretorius in the 98th over saw Notts score their first runs of the day. Stone (83 off 148 balls, 13x4) had added a further nine runs when he fell to catch low to his left at second slip by Overton off Pretorius, 345 for 9 in the 102nd over. Paterson was dropped on 1 by Rew diving to his right off Overton. A driven three through the covers by Paterson off Pretorius (4 for 96) saw Notts to 350 in the 104th over. In the following over, Paterson (14) was caught at extra cover by Pretorius off Alridge (5 for 94). Notts 360 all out off 105 overs. Pennington a slightly fortuitous 29 not out (off 33 balls, 6x4). A fine recovery from 190-7 yesterday.

Stone (Pavilion End) and Pennington shared the new ball. Kohler-Cadmore was dropped on 0 by Harrison low to his left at second slip off Stone in the 3rd over; a difficult chance. Umeed (4) was caught by third slip Will Young diving to his right off Pennington; 8 for 1 in the 6th over. After a spell of 4-2-12-0 Stone made way for Paterson with Kohler-Cadmore smashing his fourth delivery for six over long off. Surprisingly the only six of the match so far. Pennington bowled 6-3-13-1 in his opening spell and was replaced by James. Somerset reached 50 in the 17th over via single by Lammonby off Paterson. Lammonby found the legside ropes twice off James in the last over before the interval. Somerset reached lunch on 60 for 1 after 18 overs with Kohler-Cadmore on 36 and Lammonby on 16.

The second session was not a pretty watch in the oppressive humid conditions. There the two ball changes and countless ball inspections in between and all got a bit tedious. Somerset added 113 in 35 overs. Kohler-Cadmore (38) was strangled down the leg side caught by Moores off Stone (Pavilion End); 68 for 2 in the 21st over. Notts got the ball changed but were not happy with its replacement and this became the background to the afternoon. Pennington and James replaced Stone and Paterson. Harrison (1-88) was introduced for the 32nd over and he bowled a mammoth spell from the Radcliffe Road End of 25 overs and he bowled better than he figures suggested. A boundary Tom Lammonby in Harrison’s opening over brought up the Somerset 100. Hameed rotated his seamers from the Pavilion End. Lammonby reached his 50 in 104 balls. After a long discussion by umpires Debenham and Mallender, the ball was replaced once more in the 45th over but no effect. A boundary to third man by Abell off James saw Somerset beyond 150 in the 47th over. Abell got to 50 off 101 balls with a four off Harrison in the 51st over. The 100 partnership between Lammonby and Abell came up in 189 balls. Tea was taken at 16:09 with Somerset on 173 for 2 off 53 overs with Lammonby on 62 and Abell on 55. Very much the visitors session.

Harrison and Stone were bowling in tandem after tea but Somerset dominated once more with a further 120 runs scored in 32 overs. The final session a much better watch. Pennington replaced Stone for the 61st over. Six over later, Paterson came on from the Pavilion End. In his second over of his new spell, the persevering Paterson removed Lammonby (87 off 173 balls, 8x4) lbw; 225 for 3 in the 69th over. The third wicket had added 157 in 48 overs. Banton (0) lasted 7 balls before edged a turning delivery from Harrison to Moores behind the stumps, 226 for 4 in the 70th over. A pulled boundary by Rew of Paterson brought up the Somerset 250 in the 77th over. Stone returned for the 79th over. The new ball was taken by Stone and Pennington with Somerset 265 for 4 off 80 overs. In the 83rd over, a four through mid-wicket off Stone took Abell to him to his ton off 202 balls. Abell who has been injured was only appearing in the championship for the second time in 2024. Somerset closed on 293-4 off 85 overs with Abell on 105 (off 205 balls, 12x4) and left-hander Rew (35) in ominously good form. They have already added 67 in 15 overs. Notts bowlers had stuck to the task adequately with Harrison getting some turn after tea. The extras count, particularly the byes column, did not make for pretty reading. MAG

Day 1

STONE IS NOTTS' ROCK

as Olly gets hosts out of a fine mess

After an enthralling day’s cricket on a bright sunny day. Notts closed on 326-8 after 96 overs against visitors Somerset at Trent Bridge today.

Notts won the toss and elected to bat on a mottled surface with the pitch very much on the Bridgford Road side of the square. After a months break since the last championship fixture at New Road, Stone returned for the injured Fletcher. Somerset were missing skipper Lewis Gregory but their was a welcome return to Trent Bridge for Jake Ball who was included in the Somerset Eleven. Aldridge returned into Somerset’s championship side for the first time since April.

Craig Overton (Pavilion End) and Jake Ball shared the new ball with Notts getting off to a circumspect start standing on 4-0 after 4 overs. Hameed cover drove Ball to the boundary in the 5th over. Ball’s following over went for nine, with boundaries to both openers. In the 9th over, Hameed was bowled off stump by Overton for 15; 26 for 1. After an opening spell of 7-3-13-1 Overton was replaced by Pretorius. Ball opened with 7-0-24-0 then Aldridge came on from the Radcliffe Road End with Young finding the legside boundary twice in successive balls in his opening over. Frustratingly, Slater was strangled down the legside with Rew leaping to his right off Pretorius for 29; 71 for 2 off 21 overs. It got worse when off the very much next ball the out of sorts Young was leg before to Aldridge for 19. Young’s only score of note during his sorry second spell with Notts was in April in the corresponding match at Taunton. Haynes joined Clarke at the crease and they steadied the ship. Despite taking a wicket Aldridge was replaced by Leach for the next over from the Radcliffe Road End. Hayes found the legside ropes off consecutive balls during Leach’s opening over, Overton brought himself back for the 27th over. Leach was given just two overs and then Aldridge came back for the 28th over with three for Haynes taking Notts to three figures. Haynes was dropped on 19 a sitter to first slip by Abell off Overton; a costly error. Notts 111 for 3 off 31 overs with Haynes on 23 and Clarke on 15.

Overton and Ball returned after lunch. Clarke hit a four down to fine leg off Overton to bring up the Notts 150 in the 37th over. Pretorius replaced Ball for the 38th over. A four through mid-wicket by Haynes off Pretorius took him past 50 in 52 balls. Aldridge returned for the 43rd over and a pulled four by Clarke brought up the 100 stand in 131 balls. Clarke (51 off 76 balls; 10x4) was out the ball after he reached his half-ton with a four through third man. He drove Aldridge carelessly straight to Banton at extra cover; 179 for 4 in the 45th over. The partnership of 108 had covered 23 overs, but had ended very disappointedly.

Moores survived a confident lbw shout by Aldridge off the third ball he faced. Haynes (55 off 73 balls, 9x4) fell to a catch at first slip by Overton off Pretorius, 185 for 5 in the 48th over. Moores (1) predictably did not last long caught in the gully by Lammonby off a short ball from Aldridge that rose; 185 for 6 in the 49th over. In his following over, James (5) edged Aldridge to Rew behind the stumps, 190 for 7 in the 51st over. Notts had collapsed once more losing 4 wickets for 11 runs in 39 balls. Harrison and Stone then put together a superb stand of 112 in 39 overs to keep Notts in the contest.

Ball replaced Aldridge for the 50th over and an on driven four by Stone off the former Notts paceman took the home side pass the 200 mark in the 58th over. Pretorius came back from the Pavilion End for the 59th over. Leach replaced Ball for the 62nd over. Notts stood at 220 for 7 after 64 overs at tea with Harrison on 16 and Stone on 12.

Stone hit Leach for two boundaries in the 76th over. A Kasey Aldridge no ball saw Notts to 250 in the 77th over. Andy Umeed was given a brief twirl for the 79th over and had Harrison dropped at slip by Overton on 23.The new ball was taken by Overton and Ball with Notts on 260 for 7 off 80 overs. A four through backward point by Stone off Overton saw Stone to his third first-class 50 off 89 balls. He then hit Ball (18-1-75-0) for two boundaries in the 86th over, Ball going without wicket all day. During the next over, a leg bye by Harrison off Overton raised the 100 stand in 217 balls. Pretorius and Aldridge returned for the 88th and 89th overs respectively. A cover driven four by Stone off Aldridge (4-90) saw Notts to their second batting point in the 89th over. Harrison was bowled off stump by a brisk delivery from Pretorius for 35 in the 90th over; 302 for 8.

Stone was dropped on 71 by keeper Rew off Pretorius in the 91st over and briefly was assessed for a head injury. Pennington (18 not out) edged Pretorius (3-75) for two boundaries off balls four and six of the final over of the day. Notts 326-8 off 96 overs at the 1806 close with Stone still there on a fighting an invaluable 74 (off 124 balls, 12x4).

With the surface easing during the day and with a fast outfield coupled with a short Bridgford Road boundary it is hard to gauge what is a par score on this pitch. Notts were indebted to the two century partnerships for keeping them in the contest after Somerset had bowled well in the morning session. The match is well poised. MAG

Outlaws squad:

Haseeb Hameed

Ben Slater

Matt Montgomery

Joe Clarke

Jack Haynes

Will Young

Lyndon James

Tom Moores

Calvin Harrison

Olly Stone

Dillon Pennington

Toby Pettman

James Hayes

Dane Paterson

The Cidermen's squad:

Craig Overton, Tom Lammonby, Tom Abell, Tom Banton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Andy Umeed, James Rew, Ben Green, Migael Pretorius, Kasey Aldridge, Josh Davey, Jack Leach and Jake Ball

Footnote: Congratulation to The Blazers on winning the Charlotte Edwards Trophy

22/06

Back to the red ball for two weeks which won't suit Notts as it takes us around two weeks to adjust to a different format each time we switch.

Captain Haseeb Hameed, Ben Slater and Dane Paterson won't be affected by the post-switch blues, having taken no part in Outlaws miserable run and also having had a meaningful workout in the SEC win earlier this week.

Will Young, dropped from the Outlaws squad for lack of form and suitability, will have a thing or two to prove, if selected having not produced any innings of note since his innings against these same opponents Somerset in the reverse of this fixture at Taunton back in April. Is he struggling at Trent Bridge? If so, he wouldn't be the first.

We had Samit and Zak making a return to their former home last night, will we see another former Nottinghamshire playing making a return tomorrow? Jake Ball, looking from afar, appears to have found the longest period of sustained fitness for himself in what must be a decade...