Leicester 196-6 (O'Brien 51, Thakor 44*)
Carter 3-30 / Gurney 1-31
Notts 102-0 (Hales 52*, Lumb 50*)
It was a day for the fast bowlers as Nottinghamshire moved into a dominant position at close of play in the first day of their pre-season friendly against Leicestershire. Three wickets from Carter, as well as contributions from Gurney, Shahzad and Phillips saw the visitors end their two sessions on 196-6 and opening pair Alex Hales and Michael Lumb cruised to a hundred partnership by close of play.
A period of consistent pace bowling from Ajmal Shahzad and Ben Phillips early in the first session restricted opening batsmen Thornely and O'Brien to few chances. The latter grew into the innings and quickly reached 54 from 51 balls, before Andy Carter got the better of him with a fizzing delivery that second slip Steven Mullaney took comfortably to make the score 70-1.
After the loss of their high-scorer, Leicestershire faltered. An excellent spell from both Carter and Harry Gurney saw the run rate dry up, before the former took a second wicket, that of Smith, giving the bowler figures of 2-14.
By the time the session reached the 20 over mark, Notts' bowlers were well on top and it was Harry Gurney who struck next, clean bowling Smith. With seven overs until lunch, Leicestershire were reduced to 87-3. The attack didn't need to wait long before its next breakthrough, the rejuvenated Shahzad bowling Cobb for just five runs. He nearly claimed the wicket of Eckersley before lunch, but the batsman's top edge saw the ball sail beyond the fielders at slip.
At lunch, the visitors had made 107-4 and after the break, the bowling dominance continued. Boundaries came sparingly, before Ben Phillips had Eckersley caught behind by captain Chris Read. Minutes later, the ever-lively Carter struck again, this time finding Taylor's edge, which was well taken at second slip.
Despite these quick wickets, the remaining Leicestershire batsmen proved stubborn. Naik attempted an ambitious pull from the spin of Graeme White but the ball nipped past the bat. Read instantly took the bails off but the batsman's back foot stayed within its crease.
More concise bowling from Shahzad and White closed the afternoon session with the score at 196-6. O'Brien (54) and Thakor (44*) the pick, but the afternoon belonged to Notts' pace bowlers and the three wickets taken by Andy Carter.
After tea, Alex Hales and Michael Lumb took to the crease and played excellently. Picking shots seemingly at will, the pair rapidly found their way to a partnership of 60 and where Notts' bowlers dominated earlier in the day, those from Leicestershire found a different calibre of batsman facing them.
While the run rate slowed as the day came to a close, neither batsman looked in any fear of being dismissed, taking singles where offered and defending from a late spell of spin with apparent ease. Boundaries came at a premium, though Hales, on the way to his unbeaten 52 did find a maximum into the New Stand. The final over yielded all the batting milestones, the 100 partnership and a pair of half centuries for the two at the crease.
Play will resume at 11am tomorrow, with free entry for all supporters.