Jake Ball turned in an impressive performance on the rain-shortened second day of Nottinghamshire’s Specsavers County Championship match against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge.
The 25 year old returned figures of three for 40, as the reigning champions reached stumps on 170 for four, still 91 runs behind, with Alex Lees unbeaten on 91, made from 130 balls, with 13 fours.
Ball and Lees, both recently selected for the England Lions squad, impressed sufficiently to suggest that they may soon be ready for the next stage in their development by hogging the limelight on a short – but engrossing – day of cricket.
The day began with the commencement of Yorkshire’s first innings, after bad light had prevented them beginning their reply to Nottinghamshire’s 261, on the first evening.
Lyth and Lees have put on some substantial stands against Notts over the past couple of seasons but were instantly parted in this match.
Ball’s opening delivery thudded into Lyth’s pads and after a lengthy deliberation umpire Michael Gough raised the finger to send the opener on his way.
Ball was almost unplayable in his opening burst and his probing angle of attack received some deserved reward. Gary Ballance made 7 before nicking behind and barely had the applause died down before the home members were on their feet in excitement.
Root, in his first outing of the season nicked Ball low to first slip, where Riki Wessels took the sharpest of catches, reducing the White Rose to 24 for three.
Ball nearly added the wicket of Jonny Bairstow to his impressive haul, with the right-hander inside-edging past his stumps and out of reach of the diving Chris Read.
Bairstow (29) helped Lees add 83 for the fourth wicket before Notts struck again and the breakthrough came from Harry Gurney.
Bowling around the wicket, from the Pavilion End, he speared a full-length delivery into Bairstow’s pads and umpire Kettleborough agreed with the confident lbw appeal.
Lees 50 came from 64 balls, having hit nine fours and he and Andrew Gale steered the White Rose through to lunch without any further calamities.
Heavy rain then set in, wiping out the entire afternoon session but when play recommenced it was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the brief session.
When play resumed at 5.45pm Lees and his captain, Andrew Gale, extended their fifth wicket partnership beyond 50 but they were nearly parted just before further rain brought an early conclusion.
On 87 Lees nibbled at Gurney and was fortunate to see the ball burst through the gloves of Read, who had to move smartly to his left to try and take the chance.
The excitement of NatWest T20 Blast returns to Trent Bridge on Friday 20 May as Notts Outlaws face Birmingham Bears in the first of seven home matches in the competition.
Supporters can witness every minute of the action with a NatWest T20 Blast Season Ticket, priced at just £84 (adults), £63 (over 65s) or £203 (family 2+2), with Membership available to U16s at £26 and U21s for £36.
Make Trent Bridge a firm fixture for your Friday nights and secure your seats now.