A thrilling final day is in prospect at Trent Bridge, with Nottinghamshire looking to set Yorkshire a challenging second innings target in their Specsavers County Championship fixture.

The home side reached stumps on 151 for five, holding an overall advantage of 122 over their rivals, with Samit Patel unbeaten on 51.

Earlier Yorkshire’s first innings had closed on 290, with Jake Ball returning figures of four for 57. Ball was then presented with his county cap upon leaving the field at lunch.

Steven Mullaney said that his side knew they’d been involved in a battle. “Obviously there is a reason they have been champions for two years in a row but I thought we did really well to restrict them to an additional 120, so we were happy about that.

“The batting hasn’t gone that well but hopefully we can put together a couple of partnerships and put Yorkshire under pressure.”

On Ball receiving his county cap, Mullaney added, “We didn’t know it was happening – although I guess Ready (Chris Read) must have known because he presented the cap but I think it was inevitable he was presented with it because he’s been our stand-out player so far this year.”

The day began with Yorkshire resuming their first innings on 170 for four, with Lees unbeaten on 91 and Andrew Gale, alongside him on 21 not out.

With just the eleventh delivery of the morning Notts parted the two left-handers. Lees had only added a single to his overnight score before nicking Harry Gurney behind.

The dismissal was Chris Read’s 900th in first class cricket for Notts and also made amends for dropping Lees off the same bowler late on the second evening.

After almost an hour of play Ball entered the attack and with only his third delivery he picked up his fourth wicket of the innings. Gale, with a career average of 53 against Notts, had made his way to 44 but couldn’t prevent an edge flying straight to Mullaney at second slip.

Adil Rashid (19) and Liam Plunkett began to go after their shots and after 25 had come from just two overs Read turned to spin.

Patel’s loosener, a full toss, was whacked by Rashid straight into the waiting hands of Ball on the leg boundary.

Jackson Bird was eventually rewarded with a wicket as David Willey’s maiden knock for Yorkshire was ended on 18 after a thickish edge carried comfortably to Read.

Steven Patterson (1), uncharacteristically, went after Patel when play restarted after lunch but only succeeded in hoisting high to leg, with Jake Ball taking another catch.

Plunkett (51) had hit Stuart Broad for a six on his way to a 52 ball half century but then pulled his next ball from Bird, out to Greg Smith in the deep.

Willey hadn’t taken a wicket in Notts’ first innings but redressed that at the start of the second dig as Mullaney was sent on his way lbw, for two.

Smith made 17 before losing his off bail against Steven Patterson, after electing to leave alone a delivery that just shaped back into him.

The wily Patterson then snared Michael Lumb, nicking to Adam Lyth at second slip for nine. Alex Hales made a dogged 34, battling his way through 115 deliveries, before being cleaned up by a Jack Brooks delivery that kept low.

Liam Plunkett then blasted one through Riki Wessels’ (15) defences to leave Notts in some strife before an unbroken stand of 53 between Patel and Read raised home spirits.

Patel reached his 50 from 66 balls, with nine fours and his skipper was unbeaten on 13 at the close.

 

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.