Fallguy Luke leads Nottshomein style
Paul Edwards sees two sides unaccustomed to the second tier serve up and intriguing contest
Having garnered 44 out of a possible 48 points, Nottinghamshire’s season has contained few slip-ups so far. But the moment when Luke Fletcher’s boots lost their grip on the lush Durham turf may live with the seamer for the rest of his career.
The burly seamer had equalled his career-best 92 when he literally came down to earth, losing his bat in the process. Seconds later he was trudging mournfully back to the Emirates Riverside pavilion with his dream of a maiden century in ruins.
“It was a really stiff way to get out, slipping over on the green bit having played so well,” said the Nottinghamshire coach Peter Moores.
“Luke had batted with an attitude of doggedness that was great for us all to see. He was really gutted when he got run out and the lads were gutted for him, too.”
Fletcher’s consolation was that his nightwatchman’s innings was vital in setting up his side’s nine-wicket victory and both the result and the performance pleased Moores.
“I think we’ve played really well here,” he said. “We were put under pressure at 7-3 in our first innings but I really liked the way that Samit Patel and Michael Lumb played on the front foot and batted so positively.
“From that moment on, we managed to dominate the game.
“I think that the pitch was pretty blameless throughout. There were two good attacks out there and this has been a really good advert for the County Championship.”
Durham’s first ever match in English cricket’s second tier left their coach Jon Lewis advising his players not to think about the departed Scott Borthwick and Mark Stoneman, although the Riverside boss was probably right to suggest that Notts’ margin of victory was a little misleading.
“We have had a lot of success in the past based around people who are no longer here,” he said.
“But it now gives others an opportunity to step up and we have to support them. Nottinghamshire were the better side here but, possibly, not by as much as the scoreboard suggests.
“We came up short in a couple of areas and needed to support Keaton Jennings with the bat better. He was outstanding again.”