Nottinghamshire closed a rain-ruined second day on 82-2 against Surrey in their Specsavers County Championship meeting at The Oval.

Only one session of cricket was possible and the home side added 24 more runs before being bowled out for 323 in their first innings. Jake Ball took one of the remaining wickets to fall, finishing with figures of 4-85. The other wicket was claimed by Samit Patel, who took 2-44.

Paul Franks said there’s still plenty to play for, despite the loss of two sessions, with both counties striving to get their noses in front.

“That was an important session,” said the coach. “We identified it as such, as a group before we went out there, and I think we handled it quite nicely.

“I think Surrey bowled well with the new ball but we countered it well and it’s still very much in the balance at 82-2.”

Franks paid tribute to all of the bowlers but had a special word for Jake Ball, who had delivered his best form in the Surrey innings.

“I think we were very workmanlike as a bowling unit, led by Jake – but backed up by everyone else. I thought his rhythm looked good at Worcester on Saturday and he’s built on that coming here.

“I think by his own admission he might have struggled at being pushed and pulled by England a little bit. It’s never easy when you’re not playing but now we’re seeing the type of form that got him selected in the first place.”

The heavy rains that had hit the capital from late on Sunday evening, continued to fall until early afternoon over the ground.

Regular inspections by the umpires, plus lengthy mopping up efforts from the groundstaff enabled play to start at 4.15pm with 36 overs to be bowled.

Surrey, resuming on 299 for eight, brought up their third batting point in the first over of the day, courtesy of four leg byes.

Gareth Batty swung Ball away for a maximum into the Peter May Stand, in the first show of aggression but the bowler had his revenge as the Surrey skipper then nicked behind for 28.

New batsman Ravi Rampaul would have been run out by yards had a shy from Jake Libby punished a miscommunication but it wasn’t long before the innings ended.

Samit Patel picked up the last wicket to fall, taking a routine caught and bowled to remove Stuart Meaker for six.

Steven Mullaney punched two boundaries in the opening over of Nottinghamshire’s reply but in the eighth over he lost his partner; with Libby trapped lbw to Rampaul for ten, not playing a shot.

Mullaney followed, for 34, bowled by a ball from the left arm spin of Zafar Ansari.

Michael Lumb and Brendan Taylor resisted the explosive pace of Stuart Meaker in the overs that remained and will start together on the third morning.

Lumb closed the second day on 23 not out and Taylor was unbeaten on 13.

“It’s going to be a big first half hour in the morning,” said Franks. “Hopefully they’ll get started, get their partnership going and then look to build through the rest of the session.” 

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information

Vs. Durham Jets – Friday 1 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Worcestershire Rapids – Saturday 9 July 2.30pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Yorkshire Vikings – Friday 15 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Vs. Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 29 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Need more information? Call our ticket office on 0844 8118711.