Notts kept at bay by Norris marathon

MATTHEW Norris led a heroic rearguard action after MCC Universities XI clung on for a draw against Nottinghamshire by one wicket on a dramatic last day.

Cardiff MCCU left-hander Norris (33no) faced 132 balls – of which 121 were dots – after coming in at No.8 with Notts looking set for victory.

Bobby Gamble joined Norris in helping steer the students over the line by holding out for 15 balls at the death.

Joe Barrett’s first-innings century had set up Notts for a healthy lead, as they posted a total of 353-9 that was never in the MCCU’s sights.

Indeed, Loughborough opener Mohammed Azad’s knock of 19 proved to be their top score, with Ben Kitt (3-28) and Matt Carter (2-16) their chief tormentors as the were left trailing by a huge margin.

The pair helped reduce the students to 122 and left them facing a 231-run deficit, which Nottinghamshire then added to in the second innings after declaring on 165-2 – Joe Barrett (56) and Billy Root (55no) chipping in with halfcenturies.

While it was a case of damage limitation for the students, Azad knuckled down to produce a dogged and determined knock of 79 from 241 balls before he fell with the score on 212-7.

Connor Marshall took a five-for for Notts but Norris and Jack McIver’s 77-ball 20 ensured that Azad’s efforts did not go to waste.

The MCCU, who play Derbyshire next week, had conjured up another great escape last week at the expense of Leicestershire.

Unlike this week’s drama it was finely poised heading into the second innings, as the in-form Azad (62) had led his team to 277 all out in response to Leicestershire’s 317-9.

Then Lewis Hill’s century helped set the students a daunting chase of 324, and the draw looked a forlorn hope once they were reduced to 68-5.

But Charlie Lowen’s dogged 58 proved key to survival before the lastwicket stand of Alex Lilley and Andrew Westphal finished the job.