If match one in the Bob Willis Trophy North Group at Trent Bridge against Derbyshire was agonising in defeat then match two at the same venue against Yorkshire was equally as painful but even more self-inflicted.
Nottinghamshire’s start to the four day campaign this season has left a bitter taste in streaming supporters mouths, a start as bad as last seasons end, many grateful that they aren’t having to sit through it all and watch live as Notts flatter to deceive following promising starts.
Against Derbyshire we saw a decent debut for Haseeb Hameed along with same old maverick sabre from Samit Patel. Jake Ball was backed by 18-year-old Joey Evison with the ball but not much else. They say wickets win matches and Notts failure to hold on to a 364 run lead all be it in last over drama was essentially the reason they lost from such a strong winning position.
Against Yorkshire there were similarities. Evison replaced by Carter and the bowling attack feared better, all chipping in with wickets bar Mullaney (who instead took catches) as the White Rose were twice bowled out under 300 on a wicket that turned but was reasonable for competent batsmen.
With the bat Notts were in sound nick thanks to 106 by Tom Moores in the first innings but in needing just 188 to win on the last day a collapse of incredible magnitude ensured instead it was a humiliating defeat by 90 runs as Notts finished on 97 all out. Oh what the side would do for a Alex Hales, a Rikki Wessels, a Michael Lumb?
Tomorrow (11am) Notts take on Lancashire at Trent Bridge in a reverse away fixture as Old Trafford is being used as one of two ‘bubble’ venues for the English National team. Whether or not home advantage will help remains to be seen but anything less than victory will all but put pay to any hopes the side have of winning the Bob Willis Trophy.
Lancashire bounced back from opening weekend defeat at Leicestershire to beat Durham last weekend and have Dane Vilas and Josh Bohannon in form with the bat whilst a familiar name Luke Wood scored 46 and took three wickets last time out as the Red Rose bowled out their sorrowful opponents for 180 and 110 respectively.
Amongst the wickets Liam Hurt and Richard Gleeson Lancs, like Notts still aiming to find consistency in their side as they get used to crickets ‘new normal’.
Ben Slater returns for Nottinghamshire after scoring 172 in his first innings on loan at Leicestershire before going for a pair in his second match but he will hopefully provide a boost to a team that really needs a win in order to lift confidence.
The match although played behind closed doors will be available to stream through the Trent Bridge website.
Full Squad: Tom Barber, Matthew Carter, Zak Chappell, Joe Clarke, Ben Duckett, Haseeb Hameed, Lyndon James, Tom Moores, Steven Mullaney (c), Samit Patel, Liam Patterson-White, Ben Slater, Peter Trego.
*Main image @TrentBridge Zak Chappell was impressive with the ball last time out.
