Hampshire Rothesay County Championship Dv 1 at [insert sponsor] Bowl Draw 14 pts

 

24/07

Day 4

ANOTHER KOOKA-BORER DRAW

As expected the game at Southampton today ended in a bore draw.

Off the fifth delivery of the morning Tongue removed Jack (2) lbw; 370 for 7 in the 137th over. This wicket proved to be a false dawn. Patterson-White opened the bowling from the Pavilion End. Abbas replaced Tongue for the 145th over but could not make a breakthrough. Farhan came on the 151st over. In the following over, Hampshire reached 400. Organ reached his 100 off 286 balls with a swept six over square leg off Patterson-White in the 156th over. 

McCann was brought on for the 158th over and with his second delivery bowled Fuller for 16; 413 for 8. Abbott hit McCann for four and consecutive straight sixes - Hampshire had avoided the follow on and the game was dead. In the 161st over, Farhan bowled Abbott for 17; 430 for 9. The new ball was taken with Hampshire 438 for 9 off 167.4 overs. Patterson-White came on for the 170th over as lunch was delayed for 30 minutes. McCann returned for the 175th over. Slater had a bowl for two overs for the 176th and 178th overs. Hampshire 453 for 9 off 178 overs at lunch with Organ on 121 and Baker on 1.

Off the third delivery after lunch, Baker (1) was lbw to Patterson-White. Hampshire 454 all out off 178.3 overs with Organ with a career best 122 not out off 352 balls (14x4, 2x6). Patterson-White finished with 3-115 after bowling 56.3 overs. Notts led by 124 runs after the first innings.

Notts had a gentle 34 over net. Slater (3) was caught in the gully by Prest off Fuller, 9 for 1 off 5 overs. Notts were 45 for 1 off 19 overs at tea with Hameed on 12 and McCann on 27. 

After tea with Notts 63 for 1 off 23 overs Tilak took over behind the stumps in order for Brown to four overs some flighted left arm filth. Hands were shook at 1650 with Notts  declaring on 108 for 1 with Hameed on 50 and McCann on 52. Despite the bright warm sunshine most of the crowd had long since headed for home. MAG

Day 3

SOPORIFIC KOOKABURRA INDUCED DAY AT SOUTHAMPTON

A draw the most likely outcome tomorrow

 

On a very cloudy day with a northerly wind blowing, Notts stuck their bowling task well all day where only six wickets fell owing to a combination of gritty mid order Hampshire batting, a flat pitch and the Kookaburra ball. Hampshire closed still 211 runs behind Notts' first innings total with four first innings wickets intact. 

Notts had a productive morning session as they took four wickets with Hampshire adding 104 to their overnight score. Abbas (Hilton End) and Tongue, who had made a belated entry into the game, opened the bowling. Weatherley (52), playing in his first championship game for two years, hooked Abbas and was caught by Farhan at long leg, 94 for one in the 39th over. Hampshire reached their 100 in the following over. Abbas picked up his second wicket when Middleton (52) edged him with Verreynne taking the catch low to his right, 111 for 2 in the 43rd over. Patterson-White and Farhan came on for the 46th and 49th overs respectively. Gubbins (33) was lbw not playing a shot to Patterson-White, 153 for 3 after 54 overs. Next over, the impressive Tilak hit Farhan for a straight six. A dreadful shot by Prest (5) saw him hoick Patterson-White straight to substitute Harrison at mid on, 173 for 4 in the 58th over. Lunch was taken shortly after, Hampshire 184 for 4 after 62 overs with Tilak on 43 and Brown on 1.

Tilak and Brown looked comfortable for the most of the afternoon session. Hampshire adding a further 90 runs for the loss of one wicket. Tongue, who was the fastest bowler in the match, and Patterson-White were bowling together straight after lunch. A swept four by Brown off Patterson-White brought up the 200 in the 68th over. James replaced Tongue for the 71st over. Tilak reached his 50 off 96 balls with a single off James in the 73rd over. Tilak smashed Patterson-White for six over backward cover in the 76th over. It came as a great surprise when skipper Brown was lbw to James for 28,  231 for 5 in the 77th over. The new was taken by Abbas and Tongue with Hampshire 234 for 5 off 80 overs  Hampshire reached 250 in the 86th over. Farhan replaced Abbas and Tongue in the 91st and 92nd overs respectively. Hampshire 274 for 5 off 92 overs with Tilak on 77 and Organ on 26.

James and Patterson-White were bowling after tea. With Notts desperate for their second bowling point, Abbas returned for the 103rd over and Tongue came on for the 106th over with Hampshire getting to 300. Tilak reached his obdurate 100 in 203 balls with a single off Abbas in the 109th over. Hampshire were 309 for 5 off 110 overs -  Notts finishing the match with six bonus points. Farhan and Patterson-White immediately came on. McCann came on for the 130th over and his first delivery went for six over mid wicket off the bat of Organ but he removed Tilak (112 off 256 balls, 13x4, 2x6) caught down the legside by Verreynne with his sixth delivery,  357 for 6. The sixth wicket stand had taken up 54 overs with 126 runs being added. McCann was given just the solitary over with Patterson-White returning. Nightwatchman Jack (2 not out) came in. Hampshire got to the close at 1901, in what turned out to be a very long and laborious 104 overs day, on 367 for 6 off 136 overs. Organ had grinded it out for 189 balls for his 71 not out. 

Once and if Hampshire avoid the follow on tomorrow, the match will be over as a contest. The pitch remains slow and with it not taking any substantial turn, entertainment was in short supply on another turgid Kookaburra day. MAG

23/07

Day 2

LYNDON JAMES MAJESTIC 200

Hampshire trail Notts by 498 runs with all 10 wickets standing on a day when only three wickets fell.

Abbott (Pavilion End) and Fuller were bowling first thing. In the 64th over, James hit Fuller through point for four to bring up the Notts 250. Organ came on for the 72nd over. The Notts 300 came up via a pulled six over backward square leg by James off Baker in the 77th over. Next ball, James hit Baker for another six over long leg. A quick single to mid on off Organ took Haynes to his 100 off 129 balls in the 78th over. Gubbins came on for the 79th over, a single for James bringing up his 50 off 71 balls. The new ball was taken by Abbott and Jack with Notts 319 for 5 after 80 overs. The 100 partnership came up in 136 balls with a cover driven four by James off Jack. In the 83rd over, Haynes (103 off 141 balls,  15x4) gently popped a delivery from Abbott which stopped in the pitch straight to Organ at mid on, 338 for 6. James hit his third six pulling Jack over square leg in the 84th over. Notts reached 350 after 85 overs with a pulled four by James off Abbott. Fuller replaced Jack for the 92nd over. James was dropped on 94 by Weatherley at first slip off Fuller in the 94th over. Another easy chance missed. Baker came on for the 95th over. Notts were 387 for 6 after 94 overs at lunch with James on 95 and Patterson-White on 22. Very much Notts morning as they had survived the new ball threat.

Hampshire became increasingly demoralised after lunch and bowled far too many short balls on the slow flat deck. Organ bowled the first over after lunch. James reached his 100 off 118 balls with a three off Baker in the second over after lunch. Notts reached 400 with an on driven four by James off Fuller. Later in the same over, Patterson-White (24) fell lbw; 404 for 7 after 97 overs. James pulled Baker for 6 over long leg in the 98th over. Hutton pulled Fuller for six over midwicket in the 101st over. Organ and Jack returned for the 100th and 101st overs respectively. James pulled a short ball from Jack for six over square leg in the 105th over. James was dropped low down at cover by Gubbins off Jack when on 129. James cover drove Organ for four to take Notts to maximum batting points in the 106th over. The 50 partnership came up with miscued six by James off Jack in the 107th over. Another short ball by Jack was deposited for six by Hutton over backward square leg. At 110 overs Notts stood at 475 for 7. A single down to third man by James off Abbott saw him reach 150 off 183 balls. Next ball, Hutton hit Abbott for six over square leg. An offside single for Hutton off Abbott took him to his 50 off 58 balls in the 117th over. Notts reached 500 in the 118th over. The 100 partnership came up in 129 balls by an on driven four by James off Abbott. A pulled six by James off Abbott took James to a career best score beating his 164 versus Durham at Trent Bridge in September 2022. Gubbins came on for the 123rd over. Prest came on the 126th over. Hutton (71 off 87 balls, 4x4, 4x6) hit Gubbins for six over mid wicket but fell next ball caught low down by Varma at long on, 544 for 8 in the 126th over. Gubbins' seventh first class scalp of which five were taken in Zimbabwean domestic cricket. In the 130th over, James hit Prest for a straight six. Notts 571 for 8 off 130 overs at tea with James on 197 and Ahmed on 7.

James reached his 200 with a four to square leg off Baker. Notts immediately declared on 578 for 8 off 132.3 overs with James on 203 and Farhan on 7. James had played the innings of his life hitting the ball consistently harder than I have ever seen do before. His monumental innings lasted 236 balls and contained 20 fours and 8 sixes. It was the highest score ever by a Notts number 7 beating the 160 Chris Read made against Warwickshire at Trent Bridge in 1999.

Abbas (Hilton End) and Hutton shared the new ball but openers Middleton and Weatherley had little difficultyseeing it off on the flat deck. With Hampshire 33 for 0 after 10 overs, Patterson-White was introduced in order for both bowlers to immediately change ends. Middleton was dropped on 15 off Hutton a difficult chance to Verreynne diving full stretch low to his right in the 15th over. James came on for the 18th over for a three over spell when he was replaced by Patterson-White. James came on from the Hilton End in the 27th over. Ahmed came on for the 29th over. But no breakthrough was forthcoming Hampshire 80 for 0 off 32 overs with Weatherley on 43 and Middleton on 34.

Notts will hope that Tongue's extra pace tomorrow may create better wicket taking capacity. At the half way stage though this game looks like it could be heading into a typical soporific Kooka'bore'a contest!

22/07

Day 1

HONOURS EVEN ON A TRUNCATED FIRST DAY

On a rain truncated opening day at Southampton only 62.1 overs were possible of Notts' tenth championship match of the season.

On a greenish pitch, Hampshire won the toss and inserted Notts on a wicket on the Nursery side of the square. The only change from the Somerset game was that Verreynne came back in to line up with Kishan now back in India. All indications were that Pennington would come into the Eleven for Farhan. Indeed even 15 minutes after play Farhan was performing twelfth man duties believing he wasnt in the team. All this after Dillon was rested from last Friday's match versus Lancashire. Strong rumours had indicated that the coach/captain had got their wires crossed. One to be filed with the Soup Dragons' friends. Although maybe it was cunning plan because it was same Eleven that thrashed Hampshire at Trent Bridge in May! Tongue will replace Hutton on Day 3 if as expected he doesn't play in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Abbott (Pavilion End) and Jack shared the new ball and early on there was some life in the pitch aided by helpful overhead cloudy conditions. In the 4th over, Hameed (2) had a wild swish at Jack and was caught behind by Brown, 3 for 1. Slater was dropped on 5 by the juggling Varma at second slip off Abbott, the Indian having three attempts at the easy chance. Rain stopped play at 1140 with Notts 20 for 1 off 9 overs with Slater on 6 and McCann on 11.

The rain got very heavy and it came as a pleasant surprise when play resumed earlier than expected at 1444 with 30 overs lost. Both batsmen were struggling somewhat. In the 13th over, Slater (7) had his off bail removed via an outstanding delivery from Abbott; 31 for 2. This was only wicket of the day that was not down to batsman throwing his wicket away. Slater failing to get to 50 for the first time in eight innings. Later in the over McCann's score advanced by five thanks to four overthrows.

Fuller replaced Jack for the 14th over. Notts reached 50 in the 16th over - McCann taking 11 from Fuller including two boundaries. Clarke and McCann were accumulating runs at a steady rate with batting becoming a lot easier against the older ball. Baker replaced Abbott for the 21st over with an offside single for McCann bringing up his 50 his 65 balls. Jack came on for the 24th over. McCann was dropped on 57 by Weatherley at first slip off Baker - another dolly. A pulled four by Clarke off Baker saw Notts passed 100 in the 29th over. Two overs before tea, Clarke (32) cut a ball from Fuller straight to Middleton at backward point - a dreadful shot; 105 for 3 off 31 overs. Notts 115 for 3 off 33 overs at tea with the impressive McCann, strong square of the wicket, on 69 and Haynes on 4.

Organ came on from the Hilton End immediately after tea to allow Fuller to change ends. Abbott was his bowling partner. A short ball from Abbott seemed to confuse McCann (79 off 123 balls, 10x4) who played a half hearted pull shot and he appeared to deflect the ball from the back of his bat straight to Baker at short third man, 148 for 4 in the 41st over. Hampshire on top. Verreynne straight drove his first ball from Baker to the boundary. Both him and Haynes batted positively adding 84 in 18 overs to restore balance to the proceedings.

Organ and Baker came back for the 44th and 45th overs respectively. Haynes reached his 50 off 54 balls with a cover driven four off Organ in the 50th over. Baker went for nine in the following over, boundaries for both batsmen. Notts reached 200 in the 52nd over via an extra cover boundary by Haynes off Organ. Jack returned for the 55th over. Verreynne (42) pulled a short ball from Jack and was caught very low down by Fuller at deep mid wicket, 232 for 5 in the 59th over. Abbott replaced Jack for the 63rd over but after a single delivery umpires Millns and Debenham took the players off for bad light at 1845. Notts 241 for 5 off 62.1 overs with Haynes on 70 and James on 6. A further twenty three balls had been lost from the play. An even day, the new ball tomorrow could prove crucial to the direction of travel in this game. MAG

Day 1

Hampshire won the toss and inserted Notts XI:

Hameed (capt), Slater, McCann, Clarke, Haynes, Verreynne (wkt), James, Patterson-White, Hutton*, Ahmed, Abbas

*Days 1 and 2, Josh Tongue for Days 3 and 4

21/07

Pravda, alittle earlier with squad news than their last minute efforts of late.

Haseeb Hameed

Ben Slater

Freddie McCann

Joe Clarke

Jack Haynes

Kyle Verreynne

Lyndon James

Liam Patterson-White

Calvin Harrison

Brett Hutton

Farhan Ahmed

Mohammad Abbas

Dillon Pennington

Another round with the Kookaburra, so might Calvin get the nod ahead of last week's hattrick hero or last month's player of the month?

Meanwhile, Josh Tongue, it has been decreed, "will feature on days 3 and 4".