A Dramatic Draw In Nottingham

Yorkshire's stuttering, rain-sabotaged start to the season continued at Trent Bridge where the visitors only just escaped with a draw. Having led on the first innings, the Tykes looked poised for a possible triumph when they skittled through the hosts' top order and then dismissed Patel at the start of the final morning. However, Chris Read and Stuart Broad defied us, not for the first time, and the home team's tail wagged so well that they transformed the contest. Now Yorkshire had to survive fifty-three overs on the last afternoon, whilst having the opportunity to chase 320 runs dangled in front of them. 

Lyth was sent packing at the end of the first over, to complete a miserable match, but an away win was just achievable whilst a rejuvenated Lees was at the crease, ably assisted by the belligerent Bairstow. However, the removal of these two batsmen triggered a collapse which owed much to scoreboard pressure. Once it became apparent that Yorkshire could not polish off the required runs and that survival was their only option, then Nottinghamshire were able to go fully on the attack. When Gale couldn't even see out the day, it fell to Rashid and Patterson to see the champions over the finishing line, but even Patterson only added to the drama by also succumbing leg before, with two balls remaining. Now Jack Brooks had to cope with the last couple of balls from a pumped-up Broad, but fortunately he just about did. So Yorkshire remain unbeaten, which is good for morale, but a lack of wins will hamper our progress, unless we can put this right sooner rather than later.

Nottinghamshire versus YORKSHIRE; Nottingham; Sunday the 1st to Wednesday the 4th of May. YORKSHIRE chose to bowl.

Nottinghamshire first innings: 261 (Mullaney 78; Brooks 4-74, Rashid 3-29)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 290 (Lees 92, Plunkett 51; Ball 4-57)

Nottinghamshire second innings: 348 (Read 101, Broad 55, Patel 51; Patterson 4-57, Brooks 3-69)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 257 for nine (Lees 107; Gurney 4-53, Ball 3-68)

Match drawn. Nottinghamshire ten points, YORKSHIRE ten points.

Lyth - Four runs from seven deliveries faced and dismissed twice by Jake Ball was poor. The national selectors need not contact him again any time soon.

Lees - Lucky to be selected ahead of Jack Leaning, Alex rediscovered his form with two marvellous knocks. He recorded 27 boundaries in his six hours of batting.

Ballance - Fifty runs in the match seem par for the course for him at present. Is Gary really suited to batting at number three?

Root - His return to Yorkshire began with an inglorious golden duck. He atoned somewhat second time around with 27 from thirty balls, before Ball struck again.

Bairstow - Scores of 29 and and a rapid 35 were only satisfactory, when we have come recently to expect Jonny to score heavily when he makes a start.

Gale - Still unable to even manage one half century, Galey remains frustratingly incapable of consistency. He couldn't even steer his team to safety on the last day.

Rashid - Uncharacteristically he bowled better in the first innings than the second time when his seventeen overs cost 79 runs and produced no wickets.

Plunkett - Match figures of two wickets, costing ninety runs, is well below par again. However, he batted superbly in the first innings, with a run-a-ball fifty.

Willey - The debutant failed to shine with either bat or ball. 23 runs scored was less than good, while a mere two wickets, at a cost of 122 runs, was even worse.

Patterson - SP was the pick of our bowlers, taking five wickets, at a cost of 105 runs, bowling more accurately than the rest of his team mates.

Brooks - Jack took seven wickets, costing 143 runs, from 39 overs, which was a decent effort. He also remained undefeated in both innings.