Nottinghamshire CCC - The return of DaveK

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Leicestershire

Squad News:



Mitch McClenaghan and Sunil Narine both make their Notts T20 debuts, and Ramshaw comes in for his first appearance of the season. Risky tactic in dropping Swann, but he is out of form, and some time off will do him good

Toss:
Leicestershire win the toss and elect to bowl first.

Notts Innings:
We were disappointingly under par in this. I would have preferred to bowl first anyway, but only Taylor managed over 30. 146 was about 10-15 runs short of where I would have liked to be at the interval, but we have to hope that we can take early wickets, and halt the Leics chase in its tracks.

Leics Innings:
So much for halting the chase. We didn’t really make much of an impact, and we go home with our tails between our legs. We need to improve if we intend to hold on to our T20 title.



Batting Award:
James Taylor – A quick half century gave us hope.

Bowling Award:
Sunil Narine – 2 wickets on debut for the West Indian

Points:
Notts 0, Leics 2

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Derbyshire

Squad News:
Same team, we could do with a win here.



Toss:
Derbyshire win the toss and choose to bat first.

Derbys Innings:
Once again, our death bowling was poor, as we struggled to remove Wainwright and Shone at the death. Durston was also a major obstacle for us, but 243-6 was about par for the pitch, so I’m not too disappointed. The batting talent we should be enough to cope with it at least.

Notts Innings:
We were hard pushed to get victory, but we just about managed it. A slow start saw us under pressure, but Patel and Taylor stepped up, and some quick hitting saw a partnership form. Patel stuck by Lumb as well, before departing shortly after Chris Read arrived at the crease. He guided the tailend for a bit, before Swann became the senior partner. With 7 overs and 33 to chase with 2 wickets in hand, we called for the powerplay, which turned out to be a masterstroke. It allowed Swann to open the face of the bat, and despite losing Payne, Coles proved adequate enough to see us home. A good match.



Batting Award:
Samit Patel – His innings gave us the backbone for our chase.

Bowling Award:
Samit Patel – Samit gets the bowling award as well, after some good, economical bowling in the middle overs.

Points:
Notts 2, Derbys 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Warwickshire

Squad News:



Again, no changes, as we seek to topple Northants at the top of the group

Toss:
Warwicks win the toss and bat first

Warwicks Innings:
Chopra was pretty much the immovable object in that innings. His 90 meant that we struggled in the field, and when Clarke joined in, we were in trouble. Some quick wickets at the end reduced the expected total a bit, but I’m still disappointed.

Notts Innings:
Hmm, well. That was appalling. We never really stood a chance there. Back to the drawing board!



Batting Award:
Michael Lumb – Made our defeat look slightly more respectable

Bowling Award:
David Payne – his wickets made sure that we had some sort of chance of chasing a total

Points:
Warwicks 2, Notts 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Durham

Squad News:



Swann and Broad in for the injured Fuller, and McGregor

Toss:
Durham win the toss and bat first

Durham Innings:
Durham started slowly, with a good start for Fletcher and Coles. However, Stokes, Swann and Stoneman all got half centuries as Durham managed to reach a daunting total. Special mention to Broad though, whose 5for kept us in the game, and made sure that the total we were changing wasn’t worse.

Notts Innings:
The move up the order for Patel worked as he hit some brisk runs, but yet again the duo of Hales and Taylor were the deciding factor, Hales being desperately unlucky not to reach his century. Still, it was a measured chase, and we got home fairly comfortably.



Batting Award:
Alex Hales – so close to his century

Bowling Award:
Stuart Broad – his 5 wickets kept us in the game.

Points:
Notts 2, Durham 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Yorkshire

Squad News:



No changes from me, the pace line-up is doing well and gets another outing.

Toss:
Notts win the toss and bat first

Day 1:
After finishing on 331-9, the game is evenly poised. Hopefully Fuller and Coles can push on into the morning, as we could do with the pitch crumbling a little more before we bat. However, McGregor batted well, and in the absence of Gayle and Guptill, he looks good for the opening spot for the time being.

Day 2:
We dominated day 2. We didn’t really extend our lead much further at the close, but some devastating bowling from Matt Coles saw Yorkshire all out for 201, Coles getting 7-50. Payne got a couple of wickets as well. However, there was bad news as Fuller picked up a foot injury and will play no further part in the match. We reached 105-1 at the close, extending our lead to 238.

Day 3:
We declared at tea, Hales making a steady century, whilst Lumb smashed the bowling around the park at the other end. Yorkshire were left with 502 to win with 4 sessions remaining, an unlikely task. This was made even more unlikely by the fact that Yorkshire were 108-4 at the close, and this match now looks almost over

Day 4:
We may have won, but I’m furious. Rashid and Lyth made our bowling look pathetic, and they nearly stole a win. Not having Fuller to call on cost us dearly there.



Batting Award:
Alex Hales - A vital century

Bowling Award:
Matt Coles – devastating bowling in the first innings

Points:
Notts 22, Yorks 4

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Surrey

Squad News:



McGregor comes in to open, at the expense of Porterfield. Our other change sees Payne return for Shahzad.

Toss:
Notts win the toss and bat first

Day 1:
We dominated the first day, finishing on 363-4. Hales and Burridge put together a strong partnership as we avoided the poor conditions, and left us in a strong position going into day 2.

Day 2:
Notts just about edge the days play as we managed to get full batting points, then we left Surrey needing 40 odd runs to avoid the follow on with two wickets in hand. Burns and Friend batted well, but they were the only ones, and we have the advantage

Day 3:
Having failed to avoid the follow on, Surrey reached 254-5 by the close, once again indebted to G Friend, who provided a great century. Their lead is still minimal though, so we need quick wickets.

Day 4:
We ended up removing Surrey for 330. After we removed Friend, the rest crumbled under the pressure. We were then left with an easy chase, and we secured a comfortable victory.



Batting Award:
Alex Hales – back in form with a century, and unlucky to miss out on the 150

Bowling Award:
Matt Coles – consistent across both innings, and took quick wickets from the start.

Points:
Notts 24, Surrey 4

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Durham

Squad News:



New Zealand are playing the WIndies so I have no Gayle or Guptill. Marvellous. Burridge goes up the order, Lumb comes in.

Toss:
Notts win the toss and bat first

Notts Innings:
We batted well, and put up a great total. Lumb and Porterfield combined well to give us a good chance in this match after what was a very slow start.

Durham Innings:
Durham never really got settled, and a 5for for Fuller settled the result. A comfortable win.



Batting Award:
Michael Lumb – 74 from 48, a great performance

Bowling Award:
James Fuller – another 5 wicket haul, he’s settled in well.

Points:
Notts 2, Durham 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Northamptonshire

Squad News:



Burridge comes in for Mullaney, the only change for this one.

Toss:
Notts win the toss and bat first

Don’t know why we bothered turning up.



Batting Award:
James Taylor – Only one to get over 30.

Bowling Award:
No-one, they don’t deserve it

Points:
Northants 2, Notts 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Warwickshire

Squad News:



Chris Gayle is finally available so replaces Bates in the only change

Toss:
Warwicks won the toss and bat.

Well, that was pathetic. Simply pathetic. When Shahzad is my top scorer in a one day match, then there is a big problem. We need to improve.



Batting Award:
A Shahzad – A quick half century, saved our run rate a bit.

Bowling Award:
J Fuller – Bowled cheaply while others got smashed around the park.

Points:
Warwicks 2, Notts 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Sussex

Squad News:



No changes again, we keep faith in the squad.

Toss:
Sussex win the toss and bowl first

Notts Innings:
We batted reasonably well, but I feel we could have got a better total really. Taylor was explosive, well supported by Read, but they were the only two, and I’m a touch disappointed.

Sussex Innings:
My disappointment didn’t last long, as Matt Coles produced a breathtaking 8 overs to clinch it for us. He got 5 wickets at the start to cripple the top order, and it was plain sailing from there. A good win in the end.



Batting Award:
James Taylor - Another great innings from the youngster

Bowling Award:
Matt Coles – A stunning bowling performance from the ex-Kent player.

Points:
Notts 2, Sussex 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Worcestershire

Squad News:



No change to the team, but Porterfield opens in this one

Toss:
Worcs win the toss and bat

Worcs Innings:
We bowled reasonably well, but Kervezee and Voges put us to the sword. After we removed them though, the batting fell apart. Chaseable by all means, but we will need to be cautious.

Notts Innings:
Our top order collapsed, but a highest ever OD score by Bates, alongside another half century for Mullaney put us over the line. We keep our unbeaten start to the season, as we look for three domestic titles this year.



Batting Award:
M Bates – Highest ever OD score pushed us over the score.

Bowling Award:
L Fletcher – Another good bowling performance from Fletcher to dig us out of a hole.

Points:
Notts 2, Worcs 0

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Glamorgan

Squad News:



We make no changes for this match, keeping Mullaney at the top of the order after his maiden OD century. Patel really needs to find some form though, to justify why the club are still paying his wages.

Toss:
Nottinghamshire win the toss and bowl first

Day 1:
A even first day as Glamorgan finished on 312-7. Given the pitch and weather conditions, I’m happy with this, and we have a platform to build upon.

Day 2:
Our batting was very substandard, and the total of 250 makes this clear. We face a big struggle in this match.

Day 3:
Glamorgan finished on 312-7 before declaring, leaving us 418 to win. Mullaney departed just before the close, and tomorrow is going to be a real struggle.

Day 4:
We just about escaped. Fletcher and Read deserve a lot of credit, they stuck around for a session and a half to secure an unlikely draw. Thrilling cricket!



Batting Award:
Luke Fletcher – two key innings in differing circumstances

Bowling Award:
James Fuller – continues to impress after his move from Gloucs

Points:
Glam 10, Notts 8

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Northamptonshire

Squad News:



Broad is with England, as is Swann, so Samit Patel is back.

Toss:
Northants win the toss and bowl.

Well, I did have a match report for this somewhere… my apologies!

[DaveK93]

Nottinghamshire vs Somerset

Squad News:



No Guptill, which is a massive blow given the form he was in, so Mullaney comes in, which will give me another pace bowler on a seaming pitch

Toss:
Nottinghamshire win the toss and bat before the pitch becomes too seamer friendly.

Day 1:
We were all out for 315, but it would have been a lot worse had it not been for Read and Broad. They were the only two to get over 30 runs. Still, given the pitch conditions, that total may just be enough.
Somerset reached 39-2, Broad removing Tresco and Compton before the close.

Day 2:
Somerset collapsed having been in a decent position, getting 179 in total. Fuller got 5 wickets, and Broad 4, as the batting line up crumbled, leaving us with a decent lead and plenty of time.
We finish the day on 179-3, Hales on 80*, and we have a lead over 300. I’ll give it a couple of sessions, then I’ll declare with plenty of time to bowl them out.

Day 3:
We declared mid-way through the day, on 365-9 leaving Somerset 502 to win. They were 3 down at the close, with 334 still to chase. Should be a good final day’s play.

Day 4:
A comfortable win in the end, although Somerset did put up a good fight. We continue our unbeaten run, and we are sitting pretty at the top of the table.



Batting Award:
Chris Read – Another key century for the keeper.

Bowling Award:
J Fuller – His 5for in the first innings set the game up.

Points:
Notts 22, Somerset 3

[DaveK93]

Derbyshire vs Nottinghamshire

Squad News:



Bates returns from injury and is straight back into the squad for the out of form Patel, Shahzad making his first appearance of the season ahead of Payne

Toss:
Derbyshire win the toss and bat first.

Day 1:
Derbyshire controlled the day after we struggled in the sunny conditions. However, we got rid of Durston and Clare just before the close, exposing the tail at 362-7

Day 2:
Very disappointed. We face a real task to save this match having followed on in this. Derbyshire are bottom of the league, and we’re top. You wouldn’t guess that on this performance though.

Day 3:
We lost Guptill early on to a four week injury, but Chris Read stood firm, and gave us a 150 run lead going into the last day. We aren’t out the woods yet, but we can see the edge of them.

Day 4:
We finally fell for 408, Chris Read the last man out for 160. It leaves Derbyshire with a chase of 220 in 2 ½ sessions.
It was a tense match, but we got away with it. With 2 overs left, and 5 needed, we took the last wicket. A victory, perhaps undeserved, but I’m not fussed how I get the points.



Batting Award:
Chris Read – A heroic effort to keep us in the match

Bowling Award:
Matt Coles – 3 quick wickets at the start of the second innings set the tone for a great finish to the match.

Points:
Derbys 8, Notts 19