Bowlers praised as Essex are quick to bundle over Notts
High-flying Essex enjoyed a solid day’s work with ball and bat as their Specsavers County Championship clash against Nottinghamshire went with form at Trent Bridge.
Nottinghamshire, winless and bottom of the Division One table, were bundled out for only 213 in 69.1 overs, with Steven Mullaney’s 74 the only score of note against a side who are playing with the momentum that sped them to the title in 2017.
Essex, second in the standings, then reached the close on 72 for the loss of Alastair Cook, a deficit of only 141, and they will expect to secure a substantial first-innings advantage.
Cook has an indifferent record in first-class matches at Trent Bridge, with a top score of only 50 from 21 innings. His 22nd knock produced only two runs before he snicked behind and had to walk off and past the joyous celebrations from his former England team-mate Stuart Broad.
However, that was Nottinghamshire’s only success before the close as Nick Browne and Tom Westley consolidated, adding 62 together.
The Essex attack shared the wickets around during the first two sessions, with Peter Siddle, Jamie Porter and Aaron Beard picking up three apiece.
“All credit to our bowlers,” Essex wicketkeeper Adam Wheater said. “It was great for ‘Beardy’ to come in last week and get a few wickets, and he’s done the same here. It’s great for his confidence and great for the squad. “Notts have got a quality attack, so it will be tough, but we are up for the challenge.”
Sean Dickson was 146 not out as
Kent finished the opening day on 338 for two against Warwickshire at Canterbury. Dickson put on 132 with opening partner Zak Crawley and an unbroken 152 with Daniel Bell-drummond, who will resume on 68.
At Scarborough, Yorkshire opener Will Fraine scored his maiden first-class century as his side made 327 against Surrey despite a middle-order collapse. Fraine (106) and Adam Lyth (55) shared an opening stand of 116 but the Tykes slipped from 201 for two to 250 for eight, before captain Steven Patterson led a tail-end wag with 46. Surrey closed on 48 without loss in reply. Division Two leaders
Glamorgan were 354 for six against Worcestershire thanks to a partnership of 138 between Marnus Labuschagne (106) and David Lloyd, who fell three short of a century.
Opener Nick Selman had earlier made 67, while Brett D’oliveira took four for 63.
Northamptonshire hold the upper hand over Sussex at Hove after Saif Zaib led a lowerorder rally following Ollie Robinson’s six for 63. Zaib came to the wicket at 99 for six but shared in partnerships of 51 and 54 with Adam Rossington and Brett Hutton before Nathan Buck (34no) and Ben Sanderson (28) put on 68 for the last wicket to steer Northants to 273. Sanderson and Hutton took early wickets to leave Sussex seven for two from seven overs in reply.