Ollie Rains on Notts parade

Thnks to Beefy for another compelling report on the play at Trent Bridge.  He braves the cold to report on a magnificent day for Ollie Rayner, and bring us news of the health of local members, and the state of local beer.  And you might get the idea it was cold.

Overnight Middlesex 51-3. Its a Very Windy day,but the sun is showing up today for a change.Still not warm and I'm told its chilly due to the wind coming of direction of the River Trent. Last two days the PA has been superb,today cant hear a thing,and the better weather brings a larger crowd into the ground.

 Start of play Notts use Adams( the impressive Kiwi) from Pavilion End,and Broad from the Ratcliffe Road end, I think from looking that is Broad's prefered end. Adams to Denly,and a huge LBW appeal but thankfully umpire is un-moved,but next ball Denly goes as he is caught by Hales at first slip off Adams for 35,its 63-4. Malan next in. I'm sitting in same place as last two days,outside the pavilion about 2nd slip I suppose,but it's more like a doctors waiting room today; loads of Notts people coughing and spluttering, another one goes into detail about his upcoming cataract operation.

Bowling change at Ratcliffe Road end,Swann for Broad with Malan facing, Gets through a maiden over,couple of overs later Rayner is facing Swann and there is a muted LBW appeal,again umpire not interested. We reach the 100 for loss of 4 wickets,Rayner on 29,Malan 13 Ollie looking very comfortable I mutter,but its just not getting any warmer! Gurney comes on for Adams at the Pavilion end we move on to 113-4 and also get the 50 partnership with cautious batting. Swann is replaced by Franks,and then Swann is now replacing Gurney at Pavilion end, all very confusing! With Swann bowling to Rayner Ollie has a rush of blood and tries to sweep him,thankfully no contact made. 135-4 and Ollie has reached a well deserved 50,but was oh so nearly caught on 49, still the fielder who made a nice dive to his left missed the ball so no worries. 150 is now on the board and a good recovery by the lads in the middle.

At lunch we are 156-4 with Rayner on 60 and Malan 38. Must admit I have never been so cold at a cricket ground. After lunch Ollie soon moves on, gets to 63 and its his highest county score,well done for passing that milestone and the 100 partnership comes up in great fashion,as Ollie hooks Broad (who is bowling from favourite end) into the 6th or 7th row of seats of the new stand for 6,great shot sir! A wicket comes for Notts and we are 182-5 as Malan goes for 46, LBW Gurney. Dexter is now at the crease. Swann goes off the ground,and as he walks past he says to a Notts member  "I'm so cold going for a mug of tea to warm up!"

After the quick mug of tea,he is back on the field and bowling to Ollie from pavilion end and we get to 204-5 and first batting point,next couple of balls with Ollie on 93 he is beaten twice by Swann,concentrate Ollie I say under my breath! With Ollie at pavilion end,he gets two runs that take him passed the magic ton,to a standing ovation from the few Middle here and the whole team on balcony,he turns waving bat everywhere after the hug with Dexter and it was a truly wonderful,much deserved 100 and was a pleasure to watch.

Soon a wicket goes as Dexter is caught Adams off Swann for 17 and Simmo goes in,Rayner 102 and now has highest score for carear,Simmo didnt last long as he is bowled by Gurney for just 1. Its 236-7 and the new ball has been taken. at tea we are 242-7 and still need to reach and go passed 273 to avoid the follow-on. After tea,a quick rain shower but no players moving,staying on glad to say.We get to 251-7 so another point on the board,and i go into the long room for a rather lovely pint of an ale called Old Trip and very nice the pints were to! I get chatting to a couple of Notts members and I hang my head in shame as I miss a wicket falling its(just not good enough!) as chatting we get past the  follow on its 278-8 and one of the Notts members asks me ' Is Rayner really a nightwatch man'? i said yes he sure is and they just didnt believe me! Said he playing a great innings.I return to my seat in the cold,with another pint of Old Trip,told you it was nice!! Wicket goes we are 298-9 and need the two runs for another point, At 300-9 after Ollie gets the two runs we declare,with Ollie on a superb 143 not out.

The Notts team hold back as does Finny to allow Ollie to walk off to a complete standing ovation and he holds bat and helmet up as he walks up the pavilion steps,everyone saying great innings to him,and it was!!! The lads come back out to start the Notts second innings and we start with Murts Ratcliffe Road end and Finny pavilion end our over rate soon drops from -2 to -1 then thankfully we get back to a level 0 on over rate. I get a text telling me a certain person gets a pair somewhere else! 3 overs gone and the batting hero Ollie comes on at the pavilion end and with 3rd ball he gets Hales for 12 and they are 17-1 Swann in now as nightwatch man and 17-2 but I miss it as was elsewhere taking my own wicket! but find out Swann has gone for a duck,and Edwards soon follows and its an amazing 17-3. Close of play and Notts are 22-3 off 10 overs a lead of 145. Saturday could be a very good day but i need to get back Friday after stumps,but kept thinking about staying. I didn't as need extra cash for later games!   A thoroughly enjoyable time at Trent Bridge and glad i got to the ground,was made really welcome by all connected to the club. And to see Ollie get THAT ton was worth the travelling alone.