An excellent show with bat and ball from Anuj Dal saw Nottinghamshire’s Academy seal a nine-wicket win over Radcliffe on Trent.
After winning the toss, Radcliffe found progress difficult. Ben Kitt and Jake Tong took a wicket apiece to see off Ben Carr and Lui Holliday to put their side in trouble, the score 11-2.
Tong struck again to remove Josh Mierkalns for eight, before Radcliffe settled down. Rob Sutton and James Marshall progressed the score to 43 before both fell to Anuj Dal. First he had Sutton caught by Hassan Azad at second slip, then Marshall hit him to Connor Marshall at square leg.
At 44-5 Radcliffe were in dire need of a partnership, but continued to lose wickets. Dal added a third when David Lucas edged him behind. Connor Marshall then accounted for Usman Muzaffar before Jake Fish and Jordan Harbottle took the total past 00 for the loss of seven wickets.
By the 47th it looked like Radcliffe would see out their overs, but a late flurry of wickets left them short. Fish made 44 before Connor Marshall took a return catch to send him away, and in the same over he trapped Tom Crosse LBW.
Anuj Dal returned to finish Radcliffe off, having Harbottle caught by Ben Kitt for 17. The home side closed on 124 all out, Dal ending with 4-21 off 7.3 overs.
Requiring 125 from 52 overs, the Academy replied with Joe New and Jake Libby. Libby has been in excellent form for Notts’ Academy and Second Eleven, but nicked to slip on 10 in the 10th over.
Anuj Dal joined New and the pair forged a steady partnership, New reaching 50 in the 28th over and Dal following in the 32nd, hitting three to take the Academy past the total set to seal a nine-wicket victory.