Warwickshire Rothesay County Championship Div 1 at Edgbaston Draw 14 pts

 

21/04

Day 4

EDGSTRATION AT FRUSTBASTON

Notts had to settle for a draw at Edgbaston after being frustrated by persistent light drizzle at Edgbaston today. It started at 715 and continued to 1430 but finally the sun broke through and the covers were removed.

Play started at 1544 under bright sunshine with 36 overs remaining. With the pitch still having movement, Notts still had a chance but they found stubborn batsmen in Barnard and Hannon-Dalby. The pitch still had movement but with an ageing ball and a surface now much slower and without the exaggerated bounce we had seen earlier in the contest. Notts despite bowling well and occasionally beating the edge could not make a breakthrough. Hutton (Pavilion End) and O’Neill opened up with five maidens out of first six overs with both batsmen just concentrating on survival. Farhan came on for the 67th over and Tongue for the 70th over. It was obvious now that the new ball was Notts only realistic hope but dark clouds were gathering in the west the bright sunshine had gone and the floodlights were on. James came on for a solitary over from the Pavilion End, this was purely so Farhan and Tongue could change ends.

Barnard hit Farhan to the point ropes with the last delivery of the old ball. The new ball was taken with Warwickshire 180 for 6 off 80 overs. It was obvious the end was nigh with the sky getting increasingly and rapidly darker. After four deliveries with the new ball umpires Middlebrook and Lungley conferred and the players came off at 1704 for bad light. Warwickshire 181 for 6 off 80.4 overs with Barnard on 40 and nightwatchman Hannon-Dalby on 7. They never gave a chance - 15.4 potential overs with the new ball lost. The expected deluge never arrived only a few spots of rain in the air. The bad light remained and play was called off somewhat belatedly at 1759 with Notts taking 14 points out the fixture. They are joint top of the table on 49 points with Friday's opponents Sussex.

Not a memorable day only 18 runs scored off 20.4 overs without a wicket falling. MAG

20/04

Day 3

BEARS CLING-ON AS HAMEED LED NOTTS DOMINATE

Notts will be hoping that tomorrow's dire forecast turns out to be wrong after another day of domination in Birmingham with the hosts still trailing Notts by 111 runs with only four wickets standing. The pitch has still got sideways movement but it's pace and bounce have been reduced compared to yesterday. The Notts seamers once again bowled marvelously throughout. 

Bamber (City End) and Booth opening the bowling in bright sunshine first thing, as Hameed and James were batting circumspectly, only 25 runs had been added in 11 overs when Fernando came on from the Pavilion End in the 65th over. Hannon-Dalby came on for the following over. Notts reached 250 in the 71st over with a single for James off Fernando. In 75th over, James (42) edged Barnard to Yates at second slip, 255 for 6 in the 75th over. The sixth wicket stand was worth 78 in 32 overs. Warwickshire bowling better than they had done yesterday.

An edged four by Hameed off Hannon-Dalby took him to his ton off 196 balls in the 76th over - a true captain's innings The new ball was taken with Notts 285 for 6 off 80 overs. With the opening delivery of the new ball there was a long stoppage as O’Neill was hit in the nether regions, full power was eventually restored. A four to square leg by O’Neill off Booth took Notts passed 300. O'Neill hit a further two fours in the over; 14 off the 83rd over. Notts 307 for 6 at lunch time with Hameed on 112 and O’Neill on 34 off 84 overs. Very much Notts session with 103 added for the loss of James.

Notts accelerated after lunch. O'Neill (50 off 53 balls, 9x4) hit consecutive boundaries off Booth but going for another big shot the following ball, top edged the Zimbabwean and was caught by Hain in the covers, 331 for 7 in the 89th over. Hameed and O’Neill's 7th wicket partnership had accrued 76 in 14 overs as the Aussie had attacked the new ball with relish.

A single for Hameed down to long leg off the returning Hannon-Dalby took Notts passed 350 in the 92nd over. Notts lost their last three wickets in 14 balls. Hutton (14) was bowled playing a cross batted hoick to Booth. Tongue departed for a golden duck, caught behind by Smith, 357 for 9 in the 93rd over. Farhan (4) fell caught behind by Smith off Barnard. Notts 367 all out off 94.4 overs with Hameed carrying his bat for 138 not out off 240 balls (18x4). The second time he has achieved this in his Notts career. Booth the standout for the Bears with 5 for 90, his maiden 5-fer. Notts led by 274 runs.

Hutton and O’Neill shared the new ball. In the fifth over, Davies (2) edged Hutton  to James at third slip who caught the easy chance, 11 for 1 in the 5th over. With Warwickshire 27 for 1 off 12 overs, James replaced Hutton from the Pavilion End. Tongue in his third over of his spell had Yates (26) strangled down the legside caught by Verreynne, 45 for 2 in the 18th over. In the last over before tea, Shaikh straight drove James for consecutive boundaries. Warwickshire 53 for 2 off 19 overs at tea with Shaikh on 15 and Hain on 0.

The last session was a marathon 41 over won lasting almost three hours. Hain hit two consecutive boundaries off Tongue in the first over after tea. Shaikh played and missed off four James deliveries in the 23rd over but he somehow survived. Dangerman and perpetual nemesis Hain (16) after hitting another offside boundary off Tongue fell caught behind by Verreynne in the same over, 69 for 3 in the 24th over. Hutton replaced James for the 29th over. It was a double bowling change with O’Neill returning and in the 32nd over he had Shaikh lbw on his back leg for 27, 94 for 4. James and Tongue came back for Hutton and O’Neill for the 39th and 40th overs respectively. Left hander Mousley initially playing loose and somewhat brainlessly settled down and started to play with much more responsibility 

 Farhan came on for the 48th over and his first delivery was hit to the square leg boundary by Mousley. Hutton returned for the 49th over. Farhan, always likely to make something happen, took a wicket in his second over having Mousley lbw for 32, 141 for 5 in the 50th over. The 5th wicket had added 47 in 17 overs. The sun had now all but vanished and the floodlights were on, with conditions  much more cool and gloomy.

O'Neill and Tongue returned for the 55th and 56th overs respectively. In the 59th and penultimate over of the day, an absolute cracking delivery from O’Neill bowled Smith for 6, the bail being broken in the dismissal, Bears 158 for 6. Stumps were finally drawn at 19:18 with Warwickshire 163 for 6 off 60 overs with top scorer Barnard on 35 and nightwatchman Hannon-Dalby on 0. Notts have hardly put a foot wrong throughout the contest and thoroughly deserve their commanding overnight position. Will the weather gods come to Warwickshire rescue? MAG

19/04

Day 2

RESOLUTE HAMEED STEERS NOTTS LEAD AFTER O'NEILL & HUTTON ROLL BEARS OVER FOR 93

Notts had an excellent second day at Edgbaston closing with a lead of 111 runs with five first innings standing. The wicket offered plenty of assistance to the bowlers all day and there was plenty of bounce on offer from both ends.

Overnight rain delayed the start until 11:30 with the day having a scheduled ration of 96.4 overs. Tongue completed his over from the previous day and shared the bowling duties with Hutton. Tongue was getting the ball to lift but Hain and Shaikh stood firm. The Bears reached their 50 in the 15th over. O'Neill replaced Tongue from the City End for the 18th over.

Hutton was bowling a probing spell and fully deserved his wicket when he removed Shaikh's (22) off stump, 60 for three in the 19th over. This was the start of a dramatic collapse with Bears losing 8 wickets for 33 runs in 18 overs.

Three overs later Mousley departed for a 6 ball duck losing his off stump to O’Neill, 61 for 4 in the 22nd over. Tongue replaced Hutton from the Pavilion End for the 25th over, a full toss being despatched to the point ropes by Barnard. O'Neill picked up his second wicket when he had Barnard (5) smartly caught by birthday boy McCann at second slip, 77 for 5 in the 28th over. Top scorer Hain (43) playing against his favourite opposition became O'Neill's third victim when he departed leg before to the Aussie; 87 for 6 in the 32nd over. This the key wicket and Bears resistance was well and truly broken as a result.

Booth became the third batter to lose his off stump when he was bowled by O’Neill for 4, 91 for 7 off 32 overs. In the following over Bamber was dropped on 0 by Slater at short leg off Tongue. Rain stopped play at 13:17 with Warwickshire 92 for 7 off 33.4 overs with Smith on 9 and Bamber on 0. Lunch was immediately taken.

Play restarted at 14:50 with 14 overs lost. After a gloomy morning, weak sunshine was  now present albeit with a bitter wind still blowing. It was decidedly cold at Edgbaston all day long with only a sparse crowd in attendance.

The Bears were to lose their last three wickets in nine balls. In the 36th over, Bamber (1) got a thin edge to O’Neill, Verreynne taking the catch, 93 for 8. Smith gently lobbed Hutton into the grateful arms of Tongue at mid on, 93 for 9 in the 37th over. Hutton picked up his fifth wicket knocking back Fernando's off stump. The Sri Lankan departing for a golden duck. Warwickshire 93 all out. O’Neill (5 for 19)and Hutton (5 for 38) had bowled superbly in helpful conditions, pitching the ball up and bowling very accurately. O'Neill has proved an outstanding signing, Hutton was bowling like he was in 2023 when he was the championships leading wicket taker.

Bamber (Pavilion End) and Hannon-Dalby shared the new ball. Notts had raced to 36 for 0 off 9 overs when Barnard replaced Hannon-Dalby from the City End. Slater hit the former Worcestershire man for two fours in his opening over. A single for Hameed off Barnard saw Notts to 50. Later in the same over, Slater hit Barnard for four through third man and six over square leg, 17 off the 12th over including two no balls. After two overs for 25, Barnard was replaced by Vishwa Fernando from the City End. In the last over before tea, Slater (40) was lbw to a well pitched up delivery from Bamber, 81 for 1 after 14.3 overs. Tea was immediately taken.Slater looked in fine fluent form until he fell. Notts clearly thought aggressive batting was the way forward on the helpful pitch. They also had no doubt, half a mind on Monday's forecast which is decidedly indifferent.

Warwickshire fought back back in the final session which lasted two and three quarter hours and involved 39 overs. Booth replaced Bamber from the Pavilion End. McCann was dropped on 6 by keeper Smith off a bouncer from Booth,  a hard one handed chance above his head, Notts taking the lead.  A cover driven boundary by McCann (14) off Fernando took Notts to three figures in the 22nd over, later in the same over he departed edging a lifting delivery to Smith behind the stumps, 102 for 2. In the 25th over, Clarke (4) was caught at second slip by Hain off Booth, 109 for 3 in the 25th over. Zimbabwean Booth the fastest bowler on show today, behind Josh Tongue. Hameed hit consecutive boundaries off Fernando in the following over. Hameed was dropped on 45 a difficult chance to Bamber going to his left at mid on off Booth in the 27th over. The Bears made a double bowling change bringing on Hannon-Dalby and Bamber for the 28th and 29th overs respectively. Hameed was dropped on 47 by Hain above his head at second slip off Hain in the 29th over. Another very difficult chance. Hannon-Dalby removed Haynes (7) leg before, 132 for 4 in the 30th over. Hameed reached his 50 off 88 balls with a cover driven boundary off Bamber in the 31st over. Verreynne hit Bamber for three boundaries in the 33rd over - 14 off the over with Notts passing 150. Barnard came on from the City End for the 42nd over to enable Booth to change ends. Booth took a wicket with his first ball from the Pavilion End, Verreynne (29) top edging an attempted pull shot to be caught by Fernando on the square leg ropes, 177 for 5 in the 43rd over. Lyndon James joined his skipper in the middle, with the floodlights now on, and survived the final 10.5 overs of the day. Stumps were drawn with Notts on 204 for 5 off 53 overs with Hameed on 75 (off 136 balls, 10x4) and James on 15. Hameed had played a true captains innings on a tricky surface surviving two difficult chances whilst in the forties. MAG

18/04 Day 1 

RAIN RUINED

Only 56 balls were possible on a depressing day in Birmingham. Light rain started to fall at 11:39 and stayed for the remainder of the day.

 

Notts won the toss and elected to bowl. Tongue came in for Pennington (side strain). Warwickshire had Olly Hannon-Dalby back in their line up following injury.

 

Off the second delivery of the morning, Hutton (Pavilion End) had Yates lbw, 0 for 1. O'Neill was his new ball partner - Shaikh hitting him for four through third man in his opening over. In his 3rd over, Hutton got one to move in and he removed Davies (5) lbw, 13 for 2. Notts nemesis Hain soon got going hitting his second ball off Hutton tor two. Hain hit the next ball for four through square leg. Hutton conceded ten off the ninth over including two boundaries to Hain, one through square leg and another squirted through the slips.

 

Tongue replaced O’Neill for the 10th over. Rain stopped play at 11:39 with Warwickshire 34 for 2 off 9.2 overs with Shaikh on 12 and Hain on 17. Hutton had bowled well. The light drizzle never relented and play was eventually called off for the day at 17:10. MAG

Notts won the toss and will bowl

Haseeb Hameed
Ben Slater

Freddie McCann

Joe Clarke

Jack Haynes

Kyle Verreynne

Lyndon James

Fergus O'Neill

Brett Hutton

Farhan Ahmed

Josh Tongue

17/04

No Duckett but we do have Tongue...

Haseeb Hameed
Ben Slater

Freddie McCann

Joe Clarke

Jack Haynes

Kyle Verreynne

Lyndon James

Fergus O'Neill

Josh Tongue

Brett Hutton

Farhan Ahmed

Matt Montgomery

James Hayes

Preview

The first away match of the season is to "top of the table" Warwickshire. Top position by vertue of batting points over bowling points, but why Sussex are placed above Notts ...

Some say Ben Duckett is scheduled for this round, others say next. If he is ordained to play, who will make way?

Of the specialist batting in the Notts squad, all have performed at times without any standout individual.

Runs scored so far: Hameed 158, Slater 160, McCann 120, Clarke 107, Haynes 195

Josh Tongue is scheduled to return for this round by the ECB and ought to replace the injured Dillon Pennington. (Pravda silence on that injury front)

Conor McKerr is unlikely to make a debut, if other bowlers were to be rotated, as he appears to have picked up an injury at Southampton, not that that information has yet been forthcoming from Pravda either.

Pre-season previewed by Brian Halford - ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Alex Davies

Head Coach: Ian Westwood

2024 finish: Seventh

2024 highest run-scorer: Alex Davies (1,115)

2024 highest wicket-taker: Olly Hannon-Dalby (50)

Key winter moves: The era of transition continues at Edgbaston with a new head coach, Ian Westwood replacing Mark Robinson, and performance director, James Thomas replacing Gavin Larsen. Two key players have departed (Will Rhodes to Durham and Michael Burgess to retirement). In has come Ethan Bamber from Middlesex while the squad will be patched up with four overseas players: Tom Latham (all season), Vishwa Fernando (April), Beau Webster (May-July) and Hasan Ali (May-September).

What we’re looking forward to seeing: New Zealand batter Tom Latham arrives for his first sustained crack at county cricket, having previously paid fleeting visits to Durham, Kent and Surrey. Two of their linchpin runscorers having chosen to leave during the winter, Warwickshire will look to the 32-year-old for match-shaping runs. Latham will be aiming to harvest more happy memories of Edgbaston where he scored the winning runs in New Zealand’s eight-wicket Test victory in 2021.

Player to watch: Ed Barnard’s first two seasons at Edgbaston have not been successful ones for the team but the former Worcestershire player has quietly, impressively enhanced his own reputation as an all-rounder potentially capable of pushing himself into England contention. Productive and, at times, imperious with the bat, he was also a key member of the seam attack in 2024, finishing second top wicket-taker behind the excellent Olly Hannon-Dalby.

Final thought: Warwickshire’s supporters are becoming impatient after several seasons of drift, particularly in red-ball cricket. Ian Westwood, having completed the path from Under 10s player to head coach, must get some stability and consistency into the team. Warwickshire’s 1972 County Championship triumph was followed by a miserable decade. A strong season is needed to assure their supporters that their 2021 triumph will not be followed by a similarly thin era.