Ball exposes Worcestershire’s frailty
At Worcester Nottinghamshire (300-9dec) beat Worcestershire (110 and 149) by an innings and 41 runs
What a difference a season makes. Last year four successive victories saw Worcestershire pip Nottinghamshire to the Specsavers County Championship Division Two crown.
Yesterday Notts responded with a rout by an innings and 41 runs after bowling Worcestershire out twice in 64.5 overs.
After Luke Fletcher did the damage in the first innings, Jake Ball stepped up second time round with five for 59.
There was optimism inside the camp that Worcestershire could compete this season in the top flight. But after showing encouraging signs at stages of the defeats by Hampshire and Somerset, they were blown away by a formidable visiting pace attack.
Although the wicket was seamerfriendly, it was no excuse for poor shot execution from several of their batsmen.
Nottinghamshire, in contrast, can look forward with optimism after chalking up their second victory in three matches. They have enough batting quality, particularly with the acquisition of Ross Taylor, to make competitive totals and, even when Stuart Broad returns to international duty, sufficient depth in the seam department.
Notts resumed on 204 for six and added 96 off 13.5 overs to secure three batting points before declaring on 300 for nine, a lead of 190. Broad chipped in with 38 and Worcestershire were left with 80 overs to bat.
Ball took the new ball and had Brett D’oliveira caught at third slip for a first-ball duck and then bowled fellow opener Daryl Mitchell (three) with a delivery of full length.
Broad had Joe Clarke (four) caught behind and then Travis Head (29) played down the wrong line to become Ball’s third victim.
Fletcher accounted for George Rhodes (eight), who edged behind, and then Ben Cox (11), who lobbed the ball up to point.
The end came before tea after Ball had completed his five-for by dismissing Joe Leach (six) and Ed Barnard (12), providing keeper Tom Moores with two more catches.