Notts salvage draw with Yorks in County Championship heavyweight clash

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Picture: John Sutton

Nottinghamshire salvaged a draw against defending champions Yorkshire in the County Champsionship.

Notts never looked like winning the game but at times looked like they could lose, so will be happy to escape with a draw.

Nottinghamshire currently sit in second place in the County Championship just above Yorkshire.

Notts batted first, racing to an ominous 123-2 after 29 overs, however that marked the start of a batting slump, which saw them fall to 201-6 before finishing on a respectable 261.

 

In reply Jake Ball bowled exceptionally, removing England and Yorkshire’s danger-men Joe Root and Adam Lyth both for ducks in the first innings.

However he couldn’t bowl Alex Lees out, who scored 92 runs including 13 fours as Yorkshire scored 290, giving them a slender first innings lead.

Notts fell to 75-4 in their second innings before Patel knocked an impressive half century to steady the ship. Notts looked happy to play out a draw as their middle order batsman played few shots and took few risks.

Chris Read ground out a controlled century to take the game out of Yorkshire’s reach whilst Broad played with more abandon as he knocked a quick-fire half century.

Notts wicket-keeper and captain Read also hit the milestone of 7,000 runs at Trent Bridge during his innings.

This left Yorkshire with the impossible task of knocking off 300 runs in a session on Wednesday, while Notts had the equally unlikely task of taking 10 wickets to win the contest.

This is defending champions Yorkshire’s third draw from their first three games, while Nottinghamshire have now won, lost and drawn one of each of their three opening matches.