Notts Open Up Pre-Season Campaign

Nottinghamshire 440/9dec v Loughborough University 16/1 (Friendly) 22.03.22

*day one (of three)

The sunshine lights the midlands skies whilst the freshly cut grass smell lingers at the end of one’s delicately hayfevering nose, reports from the Nottingham Post that today the city will be hotter than Athens in Greece? It can mean only one thing? No, not that the Post is telling lies, but spring is in the air, get out the willow and let’s play some cricket.

Notts have been team bonding as they gear up for the season start, the week last in the lovely Lake District, taking on the Waktu Challenge over some of England’s highest peaks. Today it’s something a little closer to home to pit their wits against, something a little more normal to their natural capabilities, Loughborough University are in town for a three day game at Trent Bridge.

Captain for the day, Haseeb Hameed wins the toss in the absence of Steven Mullaney and elects to bat as Notts hope to start confidently and put some runs on the board.

It’s far from the case though, Slater first out caught behind off Rogers for ten before Hameed himself is bowled plumb (for twelve) by the same man with just 30 on the scoresheet for the hosts.

Clarke soon follows for 15 but Ben Duckett settles the side down by reaching fifty from 45 balls as the Green and Golds go on to surpass the ton.

Duckett eventually goes for 61 with the side 160/4 at Lunch with a morning session in the balance, one that Loughborough would be chuffed to bits with themselves with some terrific individual bowling performances.

Shortly into the afternoon session however, Lyndon James reaches his half century before Tom Moores is bowled as he encroaches by Buchart for 48, Butchart then acts swiftly to take James for a total of 54 with the score on 213.

Harrison makes a quick 28 before he’s run out at the bowlers end by Butchart but Joey Evison is in fine form, he gets to fifty from 68 balls before Hutton is caught on 19, Nottinghamshire reaching tea with 328 on the board for eight.

Triangular sandwiches eaten with a brew and it’s back to the action as the sun lowers and the shadows largen in the empty iconic arena but for a few members sitting in the Pavilion Stand.

Chappell and Evison make speedy inroads after tea, the former seeing his fifty up as Notts pass 400 before losing his wicket to Butchart caught in the slips for 58. Evison hangs around for his hundred (103 not out in fact) with last man Fletch in his testimonial year on five not out before Notts call it a day, 440 a target for Loughborough who can see out the evening with a bit of batting practice for themselves.

In response, Chapman-Lilley lasts five balls before he’s out for a duck LBW to Hutton, Loughborough with MacGregor (12 not out) and Luckett (4 not out) see out the day a mere 424 short of the home teams total, they’ll get another go tomorrow with nine in hand, ending the day, in the end a good one for Notts, on 16/1.

So Notts and Loughborough will go at it again tomorrow, and Thursday, with the weather good all week, entrance is free to those who would like some cricket fix so factor up for highs of 18 plus. No need for membership cards or covid tests, just turn up at the Trent Bridge gates and they’ll be sure to let you in throughout each days play.

Nottinghamshire XI: Hameed (c), Slater, Duckett, Clarke, James, Moores, Evison, Harrison, Hutton, Chappell, Fletcher.

Loughborough University XII: Butchart (c), MacGregor, Rizvi, Frost, Chapman-Lilley, Nightingale, Miller, Montgomery, King, Galley, Rogers, Luckett.

Venue: Trent Bridge