Nottinghamshire CCC - The return of DaveK

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Kent

Squad News:



There is no squad news really, as I plump for the same team. Jack Follett needs to make his mark soon though, or he won’t be getting a new contract.

Toss:
Kent win the toss and bowl first

Notts Innings:
We were very under-par, and I can’t really say I’m impressed by any of the batting. Follett, the man I was watching, got a mid 20’s score, but I’m not confident he’ll be at Trent Bridge next year.

Kent Innings:
Fortunately, our bowling was up to scratch. Ajmal Shahzad was the danger man, and despite a fight back from Murphy and Harmison, he and Fuller returned at the end to seal a close win.



Batting Award:
Samit Patel – Some quick runs lower down the order

Bowling Award:
Ajmal Shahzad – Well bowled, he won us the match

Points:
Notts 2, Kent 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Unicorns

Squad News:



Lots of players rested for the T20 campaign, so the teamsheet will be easier to look at than me explaining!

Toss:
Unicorns win the toss and bowl first

Notts Innings:
A fairly impressive batting performance for us in the end, as we racked up 288. Burridge was the main man, getting 155, as we hit them all over the park. There was a collapse at the end though, and I would have liked to have seen a higher total.

Unicorns Innings:
We bowled appallingly. Had they not lost wickets regularly, we would have lost. Fortunately Kerrigan bowled to an acceptable level, and that was probably what sealed the win.



Batting Award:
Roy Burridge – Classy performance, just in time for the t20’s.

Bowling Award:
Simon Kerrigan – at least he kept things respectable.

Points:
Notts 2, Unicorns 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Derbyshire

Squad News:



No change for us, as we await the return of Hollins from England duty, where he has cemented the no.3 spot.

Toss:
Derbys win the toss and elect to bat on a bowling track. Hopefully my in form bowlers will capitalise.

Day 1:
So much for a bowling track! Derbys were 351-7 at the close, and we were in real trouble. Kerrigan and Patel took most of the punishment, but it doesn’t hide the fact that we are well behind in this match.

Day 2:
We finally removed Derbys for 457, our bowlers not exactly proving themselves. From there, we had to set about posting a good total. We lost Hales early on, and Burridge went for 33, but Thakor and Taylor stuck in. Thakor managed to complete his century late in the day as we finished on 216-2. At this stage however, a draw is almost inevitable.

Day 3:
Yet again, our good start went to waste, and we finished on 383, only after some hitting from the tail-enders.We were left 74 runs behind though, which was more manageable. It got even better for us though, as at the close, Derbys were languishing on 150-8, after some great pace bowling from both Coles and Jefferson. This match is still up for grabs.

Day 4:
Derbyshire were removed for 173 eventually, Matt Coles getting the last two wickets. It left us 247 to win, and by lunch, we were 91-3. Burridge had gone early, but Hales and Thakor were in no mood to hang around although both fell before lunch. For a while, we looked sunk, as we fell apart after lunch. In the end, it was Ramshaw and Coles who saw us home. Ramshaw completed a battling century before the end, and the last wicket partnership of 67 won us the match.



Batting Award:
Tom Ramshaw – His 2nd innings century saved us the match.

Bowling Award:
Paul Jefferson – His good start in the 2nd innings set the tone for the rest of the bowlers

Points:
Derbys 7, Notts 22

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Yorkshire

Squad News:



Paul Jefferson is finally back from injury, so he replaces Payne in the only change to the line-up.

Toss:
Yorks win the toss and bat first

Yorks Innings:
Yorkshire, despite losing a couple of quick wickets, didn’t really look troubled, and Root and Adams enjoyed the batting track. Jefferson had a fairly innocuous return to action, and the spinners suffered, but Fletcher continued his inspired bowling form to get 6 more wickets.

Notts Innings:
We started poorly, losing both openers. Thakor tried to steady the innings, but Taylor and Ramshaw couldn’t stick around. Patel came in just in time to see Thakor depart, and we were in trouble. Patel played a calm innings though, sticking around as the tail-end kept departing. When Coles came in, the number 11, Patel started to pick the scoring rate up, trying to save the NRR, and nearly got us over the line, but it wasn’t to be this time.



Batting Award:
Samit Patel – So near, and yet so far from the match winning innings

Bowling Award:
L Fletcher – This guy is on fire!

Points:
Notts 0, Yorks 2

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Glamorgan

Squad News:



Only one change, David Payne returning in place of Shahzad. Jefferson misses out as he isn’t fit enough for the match.

Toss:
Notts win the toss and bat first

Day 1:
We dominated the first days play. Burridge went early, but Hales and Thakor both got half centuries. Taylor then got a century, with Ramshaw just short of one at the close. Hopefully Ramshaw and Patel can push on in the morning session.

Day 2:
We finished on, Ramshaw getting a good 127. We then tried to make inroads into Glamorgan. We managed to take 4 wickets, but at 224-4, the match is evenly poised.

Day 3:
We finally got rid of Glamorgan, for less than 400, Matt Coles the main contributor with 6-101. We then tried to force the issue, and put enough runs on for us to win the match but we got bogged down. Allenby caused us major problems, and we were thankful that Ramshaw saw the day out to see us ahead by 232 at the close. One more session perhaps, then we’ll have to try and break the strong Glamorgan batting line up.

Day 4:
We failed with our batting, as we didn’t really add any extra runs. We therefore left Glamorgan a total of 253 to win. Fletcher then unleashed a devastating bowling spell as Glamorgan lost 6 wickets in the first 20 overs. Allenby provided some resistance, but we closed out a surprise win, and we march onwards.



Batting Award:
T Ramshaw – Key man in both innings

Bowling Award:
Luke Fletcher – Devastating spell to remove the majority of the Glamorgan batting line up

Points:
Notts 23, Glam 6

Aside:
Another poor performance by Payne. He’ll more than likely be finding himself a new team at the end of the season.

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Unicorns

Squad News:



For this top of the table clash, we make one change. Shahzad returns, replacing the out of form Swann.

Toss:
Unicorns won the toss and bowled first

Notts Innings:
Burridge got us off to a good start yet again, making a solid 85. Between him and Thakor, they built up a solid partnership. There were also meaningful contributions from both Ramshaw and Read. We put up a solid total on a road of a pitch, and we look to push for a big win.

Unicorns Innings:
Coles and Fletcher got us off to a blistering start, leaving them trailing on 46-4 off 10. Shahzad took over, and got 4 wickets to remove the fight from the innings. We closed out a big win, and we stay comfortably top of the group. Barring any major mishaps, I’d imagine we should qualify.



Batting Award:
Roy Burridge – Another solid opening performance from the youngster

Bowling Award:
Ajmal Shahzad – 4 wickets to knock the heart out of the innings

Points:
Notts 2, Unicorns 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Kent

Squad News:



Two changes for us, Swann returns for Fuller, and Thakor replaces the England bound Hollins

Toss:
Kent win the toss and bowl first

Notts Innings:
We started well again, Hales and Burridge putting together another century partnership. The two of them seem to have bedded down well at the top of the order. We struggled a bit after they left the crease, but Ramshaw got 49 quick runs, and 250-5 is a respectable total for a 40 over match.

Kent Innings:
Coles and Fletcher made early inroads into the Kent batting line-up, but Serasinghe stood resolute. However, between Kerrigan, Swann and Patel, we mopped the rest of the wickets up quickly for a big win. We have looked very good this season. Who knows, we may even get out the group this year!



Batting Award:
Alex Hales – just sneaks the award from Burridge

Bowling Award:
Samit Patel – 4 cheap wickets to wrap up the win.

Points:
Nottinghamshire 2, Kent 0

Stat
Unicorns, my next opponents, are in 2nd place in the group. Surprise winners perhaps?

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Northamptonshire

Squad News:



Thakor drops out for the returning Hollins in the only change to the team.

Toss:
Nottinghamshire win the toss and bowl

Northants Innings:
We got off to the best possible start, as we got both openers cheaply. Coles got a couple of early wickets, and when Patel and Kerrigan started bowling in tandem, they choked the life out of the innings. Northants finished with a below par score, and we look good for the win at this stage.

Notts Innings:
It was a formality in the end, we got a comfortable 9 wicket win. Hales and Burridge both got half centuries as we reached the target with ease.



Batting Award:
Burridge – stuck around until the end

Bowling Award:
S Patel – took the life out of the innings with a good spell

Points:
Notts 2, Northants 0

[DaveK93]

Been away for a few days, sorry about the lack of updates. Will hopefully be back on track by the end of the week though!

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Gloucestershire

Squad News:



Fuller and the fit again Thakor come into the line-up, Mullaney and McGregor drop out.

Toss:
Notts win the toss and bat first

Day 1:
We finished the first day on 320-0. A road of a pitch really, Hales and Burridge both getting centuries. At the close, Hales was on 154, Burridge on 142.

Day 2:
We made Gloucs toil in the field, declaring at the end of play on 704-8. The opening partnership was worth over 400 in the end, Gloucs getting no points for bowling. Hales and Burridge both got deserved centuries, and we have 2 days now to bowl them out twice, they won’t be catching us.

Day 3:
351-9 was the total Gloucestershire got to on day 3. The Gidmans were instrumental, but everyone else lacked stickability, and if we can turn them over quickly in the morning, it is still winnable.

Day 4:
We got the last wicket very quickly, and enforced the follow on straight away. We then got them out reasonably easily, as they were unable to cope with Kerrigan and Patel in tandem. There was minor resistance, but we completed our most dominant victory of my reign so far.



Batting Award:
Alex Hales/Roy Burridge – I can’t split the two, magnificent performance

Bowling Award:
Simon Kerrigan – On a batting pitch, he turned the ball round corners to confuse the batsmen.

Points:
Notts 24, Gloucs 4

Stat:
The partnership of 441 between Hales and Burridge is now the highest opening partnership in the clubs history.

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Netherlands

Squad News:



Hollins and Swann with England, so Patel and Coles come in. McGregor in for the injured Jefferson.

Toss:
Netherlands win the toss and bowl first

Notts Innings:
Another brutal batting performance from Notts, who clocked up 316-5, their second highest total under my leadership. There were contributions from everyone, Taylor top scoring with 95. There were also half centuries for Burridge and Ramshaw, and I’m pleased to see them amongst the runs.

Netherlands Innings:
Let’s be fair, they never stood a chance. They had a good go though, and Kerrigan and Coles quite happily snaffled the wickets. An easy win, and a massive boost for our run-rate.



Batting Award:
Everyone – we all performed in this. Except McGregor. He got a golden duck. No award for him.

Bowling Award:
Simon Kerrigan – gets it purely on runs conceded.

[DaveK93]

Having only joined my academy last year, and signing a professional contract last September, Hollins just got called up to the England squad. That's nice for him, maybe, but I now have a great big hole in my batting line-up!

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Somerset

Squad News:



I decide to keep an unchanged team for this, as Mullaney will be a useful bowling option to have

Toss:
Notts win the toss and bowl first

Day 1:
We started well, Somerset down at 127-5. Hannon and Buttler rebuild though, and Somerset ended up getting just over 300. Kerrigan bowled well for his 4 wickets, and is starting to look settled. We safely negotiated some fierce bowling to get to 14-0 at the close.

Day 2:
We started our innings well, with Hales and Burridge getting a century stand. Hales departed for 55, stumped off Dockrell, but Burridge completed a well-deserved century, alongside Taylor who got 79. We lost a few wickets at the close, but Ramshaw and Fletcher survived, getting some much needed runs.

Day 3:
We batted well into the morning session, Swann and Ramshaw both batting well. We fell for 450, Ramshaw 9 short of his century. We then made major in-roads into the Somerset innings, and they were 8 down when they finally reached the deficit, but we did lose Jefferson to a back injury that puts him out for 4 weeks. At the end of play it was 177-8, Somerset 38 ahead.

Day 4:
In the end, we closed out an easy win, Hollins hitting the winning runs.



Batting Award:
Roy Burridge – Great innings for the young opener

Bowling Award:
Luke Fletcher – consistent across both innings

Points:
Notts 23, Somerset 5

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Somerset

Squad News:



Will need another bowler for this, so Burridge opens, and Mullaney replaces McGregor. Patel misses out as I don’t really want 3 spinners

Toss:
Somerset win the toss and bat

Somerset Innings:
We let them get away from us. A massive total by Somerset, but a bonus is that Jefferson got 4 more wickets. Mullaney chipped in as well, it was nice to see a meaningful contribution from him. Either way, this is going to be painful.

Notts Innings:
We were in big trouble at 37-3, with both openers gone, and Taylor for a duck. However, Hollins let loose. He hit a record Nottinghamshire OD score of 175* in just 92 balls, with 21 4’s, and 5 6’s. The innings was brutal. A partnership between him and Ramshaw (54) was worth 192 by the time Ramshaw fell. A couple more wickets fell, but Hollins stuck around, and joined by Swann, they got us over the line with 3 overs left.



Batting Award:
Glenn Hollins – A simply breath-taking innings. Starting to earn his wage now!

Bowling Award:
P Jefferson – Another good performance from the youngster, little expensive though

Points:
Notts 2, Somerset 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Surrey

Squad News:



Given that Broad is now out for 11 weeks, my tactics have to be altered. Payne is being removed as well, 5+ an over is unacceptable. Fletcher returns, as does Kerrigan.

Toss:
Notts win the toss and bat first

Day 1:
Day 1 belonged to us as we finished on 368-3. It didn’t look good for us when McGregor and Burridge both went early, but Hales and Hollins formed a good partnership. When Hollins departed for 82, Taylor took over. At the end of play, Hales was 149* and Taylor was 84*.

Day 2:
We dominated the second days play as well. Taylor and Hales both went past 150, as we put on a massive total of 595. Jefferson finally found his rhythm as well, as we reduced Surrey to 88-4 at the close. We are definitely ahead in this match.

Day 3:
After suffering the ignominy of the follow-on, Surrey retaliated, and were 233-2 at the close. Carberry and Davies batted well, but they both went, and I feel that a couple of quick wickets will win this for us.

Day 4:
That was too close. I’ve just about got my nerves back, but we should never, ever have been in that position. Ridiculous batting from Surrey, but a batting collapse at the end meant we had enough time to get the win.



Batting Award:
James Taylor – A mammoth total, just beating Alex Hales

Bowling Award:
Paul Jefferson – may have found his rhythm this season.

Points:
Notts 24, Surrey 1