by Troy Speer in association with Sportingo.com
A decade before the advent of cricket's five-hour jamboree, Trent Bridge witnessed a memorable afternoon of crash, bang, wallop.
In 1993 a staggering Twenty20-style opening partnership laid the foundations for Nottinghamshire to destroy local rivals Derbyshire. It was my first trip to Trent Bridge and the performance of two Notts players meant they quickly became my cricketing heroes and Notts legends.
I finally managed to nag my dad after two years into taking me and my friends to Trent Bridge for the first time. It was the season the beautifully named Axa and Equity Law sponsored the Sunday League. Coloured kit, a white ball, and the umpires in blue - traditionalists were outraged but most people would agree that changes made the match more exciting.
At the time Chris Lewis was one of the big names in cricket and we were looking forward to seeing him play. We entered the Lower Parr Stand eager to enjoy one of the highlights of attending any sporting event, that first glimpse of the arena. The perfect green playing surface looked resplendent and the backdrop of Trent Bridge’s tastefully built stands made it obvious we were in one of England’s finest sporting venues. The players were warming up and we spotted Lewis sat down resting against a sponsor board. The team lists were announced… no Lewis!
The disappointment was soon forgotten as opening batsmen Paul Johnson and Paul Pollard set about the Derbyshire bowling like kids at a pic’n’mix. Every other ball seemed to be flying to the boundary. The contrasting styles of the batsmen was evident. ‘Polly’ was an orthodox batsmen mixing classic drives and cuts with great timing and placement. ‘Johno’ was the consummate one-day batsman.
Anything short of a length would disappear for four, often for six. His rapid footwork meant he could dance down the wicket and hit disbelieving seam bowlers over the infield. This combination of stroke play and relentless attack took the score to 169 off just 18 overs. This was Twenty20 cricket a decade ahead of its time.
The only disappointment was that neither player made a century. Johnson was out for 75 and Pollard followed a few over later for 91. The rest of the Notts innings though lacking the excitement of the first 18 overs helped Notts compile a gargantuan 329, guided by a 72 not out by Tim Robinson.
It was going to take something sensational from Derbyshire to chase this target and any hopes they had were quickly crushed when cult hero David Pennent emphatically bowled Peter Bowler. Derbyshire were all out for 187 having never been in the hunt. Late in the Derbyshire innings Tim Robinson dropped a dolly and Dominic Cork registered the then worst ever one-day bowling figures of 98 off eight overs.
Pollard went on to have many more match winning innings for Notts and I fondly remember a blistering 136 not out against Somerset. His later career was significantly marred by injury and it was a major disappointment for me when he left the club and signed for Worcestershire. Cheers Polly.
Over the years I saw many Johnson innings and to this day I don’t think anything in cricket generates as much excitement as the sight of his short stocky frame walking out to bat (maybe Chris Tolley warming up to bowl). Although he’s possibly the best English player never to play an ODI, he’s earned his place in the Nottinghamshire hall of fame. Cheers Johno.