A superb bowling performance by the county’s second eleven side helped Nottinghamshire to an easy victory over Worcestershire in their latest championship game.
After losing the toss, Notts saw the opposition amass 290 for 6 on the opening day with Tom Fell unbeaten on 63. Kashif Ali was the main scorer with 106 off 133 balls, with 17 fours and one six, after the county had reduced Worcestershire to 13-2 early on.
A seventh wicket partnership of 101 between Fell (82), and Adam Finch (29), helped the visitors to 325 in their first innings. James Hayes led the county attack with 4 for 62 in 22.1 overs, whilst Zak Chappell (2-41), Jack Peirce (2-67), and Matt Carter (2-71), also chipped in.
Notts batted for just 66.4 overs, and totalled 317 in their first knock. Ben Martindale (24 off 35), and the usual dashing Sol Budinger (76 off 80 balls, nine fours and four sixes), put on 75 for the first wicket, and with Dane Schadendorf (49 off 67 ; six fours and two sixes), Ben Wilcox (44 off 56 ; six fours and two sixes), and Carter, 52 not out off 53 balls at number eight (eight fours and one six), also scoring quickly, the county eventually trailed by eight runs, despite being 172-2 at one stage. Ollie Davidson (6 for 111), was the best bowler. Worcestershire closed on 33-0.
A fine all-round bowling effort then from Peirce (3-57), Chappell (3-25 in 14 overs), and Jake Ball, who took 3-26 in ten overs coming on as the number six bowler, helped dismiss Worcestershire for 159 on the third day. Kashif Ali again top scored for the visitors with 74 off 71 deliveries (ten fours and three sixes).
Chasing 168 to win, Notts lost Budinger for a three-ball duck, but Martindale (27 off 40), and Schadendorf (46 off 51 balls, seven fours), put on 74 for the second wicket, before Sammy King (37 off 65), and Chappell (33 off 29, seven fours), both remained unbeaten as the county comfortably reached the target in 40 overs for the loss of only four wickets.
Elsewhere yesterday, flying the flag for Nottinghamshire, Ben Duckett, scored 44 whilst on duty for England Lions in defeat against a South Africa XI at New Road in Worcester, this after scoring 85 during the Lions win on Tuesday in the first of a two match series which started at Taunton and ended all square.
Finally kudos the Notts U18’s girls team who won their fifth straight match in the Royal London County Cup. They beat Derbyshire by 45 runs with Maddie Ward hitting 44 and Sadie Hodgson taking 4 for 21 across her eight overs.
*Article provided by Hitesh Darji (Cricket Correspondent)
*Main image @TrentBridge youngster Dane Schadendorf was in good form with the bat.
