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Notts lie joint top of the championship with Sussex and Warwickshireafter drawing their game at Essex today. They can thank Jack Haynes (142 off 214 balls, 21x4, 1x6) and stubborn resistance from firstly Brett Hutton (38 off 90 balls, 4x4, 1x6) and Dillon Pennington (13* off 23 balls, 2x4) after having a poor start to the day losing three wickets in seven overs. Despite face the new ball, Hutton stood firm and Haynes who batted superbly throughout finally reached his maiden first-class ton for Notts in his 16th game. Notts were bowled out seven deliveries after lunch with Essex never attempting to chase a very distant 366 with the teams shaking hands at 17:00 with 21 overs unbowled.
Off the ninth delivery of the morning, nightwatchman Farhan (1) was caught by Pepper off Snater, 235 for 6 in the 76th over. In his next over Snater had the leaden footed James (1) also caught by Pepper, 237 for 7. The new ball was taken with Notts 242 for seven after 80 overs. With the fifth delivery with the new ball, O'Neill (1) was superbly caught at mid-wicket by Thain inches from the ground off Porter - the Aussie middling the ball off his pads; 242-8. Notts who had lost five wickets for 15 in 13.3 overs led by only 222, so an Essex victory seemed a strong possibility. Hutton joined Haynes. In the 83rd over, Hutton deposited a half tracker from Porter to the legside ropes. Notts reached 250 in the same over which went for seven. In the following over, Haynes tucked Cook off his legs to the square leg ropes – another seven runs coming off the over. In the 88th over, Hutton hit Cook to the mid-wicket boundary. In the next over, Haynes hit Porter for four through mid-wicket. Snater and Harmer replaced Cook and Portee for the 90th and 91st overs respectively. Haynes and Hutton were now looking relatively comfortable on the true and slow pitch with the sunshine now becoming more intermittent. In the 94th over, Hutton hit Snater for a square leg four. Thain came on for the 96th over from the Pavilion End. A four through backward point by Haynes off Thain in the 98th over brought up the 50 partnership in 98 balls. Later in the same over, Hutton hit Thain to the mid-wicket ropes; 10 off the over. Critchley came on for Thain in the 100th over with a single for Hutton bringing up the Notts 300. In his next over, Critchley was hit for six over mid-wicket by Hutton. Haynes cover drove Critchley for four in the 104th over; Notts now led by 298. Hutton (38 off 90 balls), who had played an invaluable innings, threw his wicket away caught on the square leg ropes by Porter off Critchley, 319 for 9 in the 106th over. The 9th wicket had added 77 runs off 25 overs. With Notts nine wickets down lunch was delayed for 30 minutes. Essex still probably fancied their chances of victory at this stage but their hopes were snuffed out by a last wicket stand of 66 in 10 overs with Essex slowly getting more demoralised with each passing ball and run scored. Essex spreading the field far and a wide. Haynes hit Harmer for 4 over mid-wicket off the last delivery of the 107th over. Off the following ball, Pennington hit Critchley for four through mid-wicket. A four through extra cover by Haynes off Harmer brought up his maiden Notts ton off 191 balls. Haynes hit Critchley for six into the Larwood and Voce at mid-wicket. Pennington hit Harmer for a straight four and then Haynes hit two boundaries off the off spinner to bring up the 350 in the 111th over. Cook returned for the 112th over and Haynes hit him for three successive boundaries – a lofted cover drive, was followed by a four through cover point and finally one to the mid-wicket boundary. The game was now destined for a draw. Next over, Thain came on from the Radcliffe Road End, Haynes hitting a four to mid-wicket to bring up the 50 partnership in 44 balls. Notts 375 for 9 off 114 overs with Haynes on 135 and Pennington on 13.
Notts batted a further seven balls after the delayed lunch. Critchley conceded 10 runs off the first over after lunch. Haynes (142) finally fell to a catch on the long on ropes by Cox off Thain, Notts 385 all out off 115.1 overs. Harmer the pick of the bowling with 41-6-90-2. Haynes had saved the game for Notts – a massive confidence boost for the former Worcestershire batter and hopefully a career defining one.
Essex needed 366 to win off 52 overs at 7.03 RPO. All the sting though was now out of the game. Pennington (Pavilion End) and O’Neill took the new ball. In the third over, Allison was dropped on seven by McCann at second slip diving low to his right off Pennington. Shortly afterwards, Pennington appeared to suffer a side strain and went off having bowled 4.2 overs, Hutton completed the over. James came on from the Pavilion End for the 13th over to allow Hutton to immediately switch ends. In the 16th over Hutton removed Allison leg before wicket for 28, 50 for 1. Essex 60 for 1 off 17 overs at tea with Walter on 21 and Westley on 6.
A further 14 overs were bowled after tea with a thin crowd in attendance with a strong southernly wind now blowing, the temperature had dipped considerably. Farhan came on straight after tea from the Radcliffe Road End. Hutton replaced James for the 27th over. Essex had reached 106-1 off 31 overs when the game was terminated with Walter on 41 and Westley on 28. Slater bowling a maiden to end the contest. Notts took 13 points from the draw and they can reflect on a win and a draw against the same opposition that last season who had handed out three thrashings. A very heartening improvement. MAG
A fascinating last day is in prospect as Notts closed day 3 with a lead of 213 with five second innings wickets standing; the second new ball only six overs away. Notts fought back well in the morning removing the final five Essex batsmen for 66 runs in 19.4 overs. Hameed and Slater then added 113 for the opening wicket before Essex reasserted themselves in the contest removing 5 Notts wickets for 118 including the key wickets of skipper Haseeb Hameed (92 off 171 balls, 12x4) and Kyle Verreynne in the dying embers of the day.
Pennington and O’Neill shared the ball first thing and the bowling was much improved with cloudy conditions and a newish ball clearly helping the bowlers. In the 92nd over, O’Neill removed Critchley (52) caught behind by Verreynne, 314 for 6. In the following over, Harmer fell for a six ball duck caught at second slip by McCann diving to his left off Pennington, 315 for 7. Four balls later, Thain (33) was adjudged lbw to a ball from O’Neill that jagged back in, 315 for 8. Notts had taken three wickets in 13 balls. Snater was dropped on 1 top edging a delivery from Pennington, James running from third slip dropped the swirling chance at backward point. In the 98th over, Cook took three boundaries off O’Neill, the first edged between keeper Verreynne and first slip Clarke. Essex took the lead in the 100th over via an on driven two by Cook off O’Neill (3 for 85). Notts made a double bowling change bringing James and Hutton on for the 101st and 102nd overs respectively. Hutton removed Snater (12) lbw with his second delivery, 350 for 9. The ninth wicket had added 35. Sam Cook (26) was the last man to fall well caught on the square leg ropes by Haynes off a short delivery from Hutton (3 for 61). Essex 367 all out off 105.4 overs with Porter 13*. Essex led by 20 runs.
Porter (Radcliffe Road End) and Cook took the new ball with both openers looking solid as the sun began to shine. Hameed hit Porter for two boundaries in the third over. Notts at lunch were 14 for 0 off 7 overs with Hameed on 10 and Slater on 4.
Slater hit two legside boundaries off the 10th over, bowled by Cook. Hameed played two lovely offside shots off the following over by Porter as the scoring rate was increasing. A further nine runs came off the next over. With Notts on 49 for 0 off 13 overs, Snater came on and his first ball was hit through point by Hameed to bring up the 50 partnership. Harmer replaced Porter for the 15th over. Slater hit Harmer for sixes over square leg in the 17th and the 23rd over. Thain came on for the 24th over. Slater got to 50 off 86 balls with a four through wide third man in the 28th over. Notts 100 came up in the 32nd over with a single for Hameed off Thain. Slater (67 off 114 balls, 11x4, 2x6) attempting a cut shot off Harmer unfortunately played on. Notts 113 for 1 in the 33rd over. A key innings by Slater. McCann fell in Harmer's following over, caught at first slip by Cox for a nine ball duck, 115 for 2. Essex were fighting back. A four through wide third man by Hameed off Cook took him to 50 off 96 balls in the 38th over. Critchley bowled the last over before tea from the Pavilion End, Clarke hitting the last delivery of the session for six over mid-wicket. Notts 142 for 2 off 42 overs at tea with Hameed 54 and Clarke on 18.
In the second over after tea, Clarke (19) was caught behind by Pepper off Porter, 144 for 3. Haynes edged his first ball for four passed second slip for four off Porter. Porter and Harmer temporarily put a lid on the scoring with only 9 runs coming from the next nine overs. Snater returned for the 54th over and conceded nine with two fours for Haynes. An on driven four for Hameed off the expensive Critchley (4-0-30-0) brought up the 50 partnership between him and Haynes in 106 balls. A straight driven four by Hameed off Snater brought up the Notts 200 in the 62nd over. Hameed’s (92) fine innings ended when he chopped on to Thain, 227 for 4 in the 68th over. The 4th wicket had added 83 in 24 overs. Sam Cook returned and removed Verreynne (3) with his fourth ball caught behind by Pepper, 231 for 5 in the 70th over. Farhan (0*) came in as nightwatchman to join Haynes (49* off 104 balls, 8x4), who has so far played a fluent innings, and survived for 11 balls as Notts closed on 233-5 after 74 overs.
The wicket has few terrors. How the Notts lower order face up to Porter and Cook with the new ball early tomorrow morning could well decide the outcome of the game. MAG
On an easing pitch, Essex trail Notts by 46 runs with five first innings wickets still remaining at the end of the second day.
The forecasters had predicted a sunny day throughout but by mid afternoon although it remained warm it became much cloudier.
Notts only added a further 19 runs this morning in eight overs with Sam Cook picking up the last two wickets to finish with the impressive figures of 25-7-44-4. In the second over of the morning, Farhan (31) was caught at third slip at the second attempt by Critchley after he parried the first attempt towards his left ankle; 331 for 9. Cook claimed his fourth wicket bowling Pennington middle stump for 1, 347 all out off 104 overs. Verreynne finishing on 128 not out off 242 balls (16x4), steering Notts from 78-5 to their ultimate total three runs short of a third batting point. Verreynne’s current career average for Notts stands at 376..
Pennington (Pavilion End) and O'Neill shared the new ball but initially posed little threat to openers Walter and Charlie Allison. In the tenth over, Allison was lbw to O’Neill for 11; 22 for 1. James replaced Pennington for the 13th over. Westley (5) was out plumb leg before to Hutton's opening delivery, 48 for 2 in the 16th over. Essex 54 for 2 at lunch off 17 overs with Walter on 26 and Cox on 0. A fairly even opening session.
Post-lunch, the Notts seamers were generally disappointing having trouble with their length and offering too many wide deliveries. Keeper Verreynne so outstanding with the bat also did not have his best day with the gloves with 13 byes conceded and with extras standing at 30. James and Hutton bowled after lunch but Walter and Cox looked comfortable. Hutton made way for O’Neill for the 28th over. The Essex 100 came up in the 29th over, bowled by James. Pennington replaced James for the 31st over. A cover driven boundary by Walter off Pennington saw him to 50 off 106 balls in the 33rd over. Farhan came on for the 36th over and bowled well for the rest of the day on a wicket which offered him virtually nothing. In his second over, Walter hit Farhan for six over square leg. Hutton returned for the 39th over with Cox reaching his 50 off 67 balls with a four through long leg, Farhan misfielding the ball. The following delivery went for four in the same position with the 100 partnership achieved in 141 balls. In the 42nd over, Walter (76 off 129 balls, 9x4, 2x6) hit Farhan for six over square leg and then hit him for four in the same area the following ball. Going for the same shot again, he edged Farhan, who once more tossed it, to Clarke at slip who took the catch, 171 for 3. Farhan kept going and crucially had kept his nerve and gained a wonderful dismissal – the highlight of the Notts day from a Notts perspective, O'Neill returned for the 49th over. The third wicket stand was worth 123 in 26 overs. In the 51st over, Cox on 79 scampered a single off O’Neill towards Hameed at mid-on who hit the stumps with a direct throw, it looked very close but umpire Hartley on the run was not in a position to make a decision as had not turned sufficiently to view the action. Critchley hit Farhan for two boundaries in the last over before tea. Essex 205 for 3 off 54 overs at the interval with Cox on 82 and Critchley on 12. Essex’s session having added 151 for the loss of one wicket in 37 overs.
On the first delivery after tea, top scorer Cox (82 off 133 balls, 12x4) was strangled down legside from a delivery from James, Verreynne taking the catch, 205 for 4. Pennington was James bowling partner after tea. Pennington proved expensive and conceded 26 runs in his four over spell including a delivery that went for five wides. Farhan replaced him from the Radcliffe Road End. Pepper played a poor shot cutting a widish delivery from James and was caught by Haynes at backward point; 248 for 5 in the 65th over. Wickets 3, 4 and 5 had been donated to Notts via poor shots. This was the last wicket for Notts with Critchley (50* off 106 balls, 5x4) and Thain (21* off 75 balls, 2x4) added an unbroken 53 in the remaining 22 overs of the day. A single for Critchley off Farhan took Essex to 250 in the 66th over. Hutton came on for James for the 71st over and with little pace in the pitch Verreynne was standing up to him. The new ball was taken with six overs remaining in the day with Essex 280 for 5 off 80 overs and the floodlights now on. Pennington kept putting too many balls towards leg as both batsmen had little difficulty in seeing Essex to a strong position by the close (at 18:35) with the score standing at 301-5 off 86 overs.
The wicket has eased considerably but so far the Notts seamers have not matched Essex pair Porter and Cook. A lead of over 100 for Essex could prove pivotal with dry conditions for the last two days forecast albeit with much more cloud and cooler temperatures MAG
Verreynne replaced Montgomery in the line-up and with Tongue rested under ECB instructions, Hutton came in to the eleven. Essex, still without Dean Elgar, won the toss and put Notts in on a green tinged pitch on the Fox Road side of the square. Jamie Porter and Sam Cook made use of excellent pre-lunch bowling conditions as Notts slipped to 78-5 after 23 overs. Verreynne took full advantage of the easing batting conditions sharing three crucial stands. Eighty-nine runs were added for the sixth wicket with Lyndon James (45), 77 for the seventh wicket alongside Fergus O’Neill (42) and finally an unbroken 79 for the ninth wicket with Farhan Ahmed (30*) with Notts closing on 328-8 after 96 overs.
Porter (Radcliffe Road End) and Cook opened the bowling. In the third over, Cook had Slater (1) leg before, 1 for 1. In the 7th over, Porter got one to move away and found the edge of Hameed's bat and keeper Pepper took the catch, 4 for 2. The captain out for a 21 ball duck. Porter and Cook were relentlessly accurate with the new ball on a helpful deck. In the 11th over, Clarke lofted Porter for a straight six, the first time the ball had reached the rope off the bat and only six of the day. Clarke hit Cook for a square leg boundary but fell next ball adjudged leg before for 16 by umpire Hartley to a ball appearing to be drifting down the legside; 27 for 3 in the 12th over. Noah Thain replaced Cook in the 14th over. In the following over, Snater came on for Porter, McCann and Haynes looking a lot more comfortable against the back-up seamers. In the 17th over, a two through mid-on by McCann off Snater took Notts passed 50. Cook returned for the 22nd over and removed McCann (26) caught and bowled at the second attempt with his fourth delivery; 74 for 4. Off the last delivery of the following over, Haynes (23) edged Snater to keeper Pepper who took the simple catch; 78 for 5. Notts well and truly on the ropes but they were to fightback strongly. Porter replaced Snater for the 25th over. Notts 78 for 5 off 27 overs at lunch time with Verreynne on 2 and James on 0.
Cook and Porter came back straight after lunch and bowled successive maidens. It was though apparent batting conditions were now easier. Notts reached 100 in the 36th over which cost nine – the opening over from Thain in a new spell having replaced Cook. Harmer replaced the ineffective Thain in the 41st over and a four through the covers by Verreynne brought up the 50 partnership with James off 107 balls. Snater changed ends to the Pavilion End for the 42nd over. Porter replaced Harmer after a brief three over spell for the 47th over with a single for Verreynne in the covers bringing up the Notts 150. Cook returned for the following over and had Verreynne dropped on 33 by Harmer at second slip, an easy chance. An extremely costly error by the South African, Notts perennial nemesis proving that he is human. Porter and Cook were replaced by Harmer and Snater in the 53rd and 54th overs respectively. In the 56th over, James (45 off 93 balls; 8x4) chopped on having a wild swish at Snater, 167 for 6. A sad end to a battling innings. The 6th wicket had added 89 runs in 32 overs. A three to third man by Verreynne in Critchley’s second over got Verreynne to 50 off 116 balls in the 59th over. Nine off the over, the leg-spinner proving expensive. Suddenly the runs were flowing, Snater conceded nine off the following over – two beautiful fours through point for O’Neill. Another four through point by O’Neill off the returning Harmer took Notts passed 200 in the 61st over. Notts 212 for 6 off 64 overs with Verreynne on 53 and O’Neill on 30. Very much Notts’ session.
In the first over after tea, O’Neill was dropped on 31 at second slip by Harmer off Thain. Snater bowled the first over after tea from the Pavilion End. Thain was proving expensive not helped by continuing over-stepping, 8 no balls in total. O'Neill (42 off 60 balls; 6x4) was out leg before from a quicker and straighter ball from Critchley, 244 for 7 in the 71st over. O’Neill had impressed in his 15 overs at the crease. In the following over Hutton (1) was caught by keeper Pepper off Snater, 249 for 8 in the 72nd over. With the new ball only eight overs away, Essex were now expecting to bat before the close. Farhan came in and looked confident and assured from the off, hitting five fours between point and third man. A single for Verreynne to third man off Critchley took Notts to 250 in the 73rd over. Thirteen came off the 75th over bowled by Critchley – boundaries for Farhan and Verreynne. The South African cut Porter for two fours in three deliveries. Porter and Cook returning before the new ball was due with Essex desperate for a wicket. The new ball was taken with Notts 282 for 8 off 80 overs. Farhan hit two fours in three deliveries off the opening over with the new cherry bowled by Porter. A quick single to mid-on by Farhan off Porter took Notts to 300 in the 87th over. Verreynne reached his ton off 196 balls with a four through third man off Snater in the 90th over. He was then dropped once more on 106 by Walter at first slip off Snater, the ball going for four. Notts got to the close at 18:44 and will be the happier of the two teams having been inserted by the visitors. The large day 1 crowd had seen a fascinating day’s cricket in brilliant weather conditions.
Essex bowled well in the opening session, but the experienced seamers Porter, Cook and Snater were let down by support bowling and some poor slip fielding. Cook bowled superbly throughout his 21 overs costing just 37 runs and taking two wickets. Verreynne proved what a class addition he is to Notts and now currently averages 349 for the Green and Gold. What a signing!
ECB England have dispatched a bulk load of cotton for wrapping Josh Tongue up in, as he is "rested" for this game.
What was said about Josh Tongue:
England’s forgotten man Josh Tongue starts season in fine form to push Ashes case
Injury-plagued bowler has had to wait almost two years to make debut for Notts but five-wicket haul suggests Test recall is not far off
Will Macpherson
Since impressing in his first two Tests in the summer of 2023, England – and Nottinghamshire – have waited patiently for Josh Tongue.
But on his long-awaited debut for the county he joined that year, Tongue provided a stark reminder of the quality that means the Test team will not give up on their forgotten man.
Just as the high-scoring, hard-fought season opener against Durham appeared to be drifting towards a draw, Tongue produced a match-changing spell. Best of all, from England’s point of view, it came with the old ball, making this Tongue’s first step towards a Test recall for the era-defining meetings with India and Australia later this year.
As he has been for much of his career, Tongue has been dogged by injury since impressing against Ireland and Australia two years ago. On debut, he picked up a five-wicket haul, and in the Ashes, he troubled Australia’s best batsmen at Lord’s, dismissing David Warner and Steve Smith twice, and the series’ top scorer Usman Khawaja once. That earned him a two-year central contract, and a move from Worcestershire to Trent Bridge, where he was effectively signed as Stuart Broad’s successor.
A rupture of his right pectoral followed by a hamstring tear meant that he played no competitive cricket whatsoever between August 2023 and January this year, when he was part of Andrew Flintoff’s Lions squad in Australia. On this evidence, he has returned a more rounded cricketer. Not only does he look physically more robust following careful attention from England’s medical team, but he also made his maiden first-class half-century on his return, too.
With the ball, he was rusty and loose in the first innings at Trent Bridge, picking up two pricey wickets. But as the match approached its 12th and final session, he provided the sprinkling of Test quality that was required to blow it open. All the characteristics that led to England selection in 2023 – decent pace and late movement provided by an arm that comes from beyond the perpendicular – were on display.
Tongue picked up Ben McKinney, considered by many an England opener-in-waiting, on the third evening. From round the wicket, Tongue found just enough movement away from the left-hander to take the edge, which was pouched by the wicketkeeper.
McKinney had been batting with Colin Ackermann, who made his second century of the match. With Graham Clark for company, he was close to making the game safe for Durham, putting on 145 to provide a lead of 67 with five wickets in hand.
But in the 80th over of the innings, Tongue nipped one back to flatten Clark’s off stump.
At the start of his next over, he proved too quick and full for Ben Raine, who was bowled first ball, before Ackermann was plumb in front playing across the line. Tongue had taken four wickets for three runs in 12 balls, to complete a 10th first-class five-wicket haul.
When the Australian Fergus O’Neill picked up the final wicket of the innings, Nottinghamshire were left with a target of just 89 in the last session, which they managed just two down.
In Tongue’s absence, England have overseen a changing of the guard in their Test attack, with James Anderson and Broad retired, and Ollie Robinson dropped. They have found new seamers such as Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, with whom they would love to unite him – especially as Mark Wood and Olly Stone are injured.
After a statement display to start the season, his next challenge is staying on the park.
“Injuries happen when you are a fast bowler but to be out for so long was tough, obviously, and to get a five-for on your comeback is a great feeling,” Tongue said. “I wasn’t really thinking about my body, just concentrating on getting wickets. I’ve bowled 40 overs in this game and I’ve pulled up quite well. I’d like to play as many games as I can.”
So will his England masters insist on a rest or will he play back to back games barring a reaction?
What was said in brief about Surrey's escape at Chelmsford.
Surrey spent all four days at Chelmsford under the pump against Essex, but the efforts of Dom Sibley (66 from 221 balls) and Ben Foakes (50 from 134) helped them escape the first game of their title defence with a draw, following on. In 97 overs, they made the 219 runs they needed to take the lead, for the loss of six wickets, before the captains shook hands. Even on a flat pitch, the challenge posed by Essex’s Simon Harmer, who bowled 34 overs, was severe.
Pre-season Essex Preview
ESSEX
Previewed by Martin Smith – ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Captain: Tom Westley
Director of cricket: Chris Silverwood
2024 finish: Fourth
2024 highest run-scorer: Dean Elgar (1,144)
2024 highest wicket-taker: Jamie Porter (56)
Key winter moves: Essex plans were thrown into disarray when Indian Shardul Thaker pulled out of his intended seven-match arrangement at late notice when called up as an IPL replacement. Unless Essex can unearth another available overseas bowler to ease the burden on the pace attack, returning director of cricket Chris Silverwood will have to revive his Midas touch of yore and bring out the best from the existing squad.
What we’re looking forward to seeing: By his own extraordinary standards, Simon Harmer had a distinctly below-par campaign in 2024. For the first time in eight seasons at Chelmsford he failed to add to his tally of 35 five-fers and ten 10-wicket hauls achieved in Essex colours. He still took 45 Championship wickets with his off-spin, but at an uncharacteristically high cost and strike-rate. We’re looking forward to seeing a revitalised Harmy.
Player to watch: Jordan Cox’s summer was dogged by injury, yet he still topped the Essex averages with 918 runs at 65.57. It earned him a call to arms from England and he was all set to make his Test debut in New Zealand in the autumn before suffering another setback. Another flying start this time around would keep him firmly on the selectors’ radar – and bolster Essex’s middle-order.
Final thought: It may be seven-and-a-half years since Silverwood left Essex for England, but there could be as many as half-a-dozen familiar names in the first XI he selects on April 4. Promising opener Charlie Allison was 12 back in 2017, but such has been his rapid rise that his should be a name on Silverwood's team sheet for the next decade and more.
Well it was a difficult start to the day , but what a great fightback.
ReplyDeleteHaving an international keeper who is a good batsmen obviously helps.
The weather deserves a mention , absolutely wonderful.
Mr/Ms Anonymous please put a name to your comments, ta
ReplyDeleteSorry.
ReplyDeleteColin.
This is a good game and we are still in it , but we certainly need more runs tomorrow morning to make sure we don't lose.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a drawn game I would be reasonably happy.
Colin.