Nottinghamshire were beaten by 132 runs in their Specsavers County Championship match against Somerset at Taunton.
The Division One leaders proved to be too tough for Peter Moores’ injury-hit side, emerging on top at the end of a dramatic third day.
After bowling out their opponents for only 169, Notts were themselves dismissed, for just 122.
“We had our moments within the game,” said Moores. “We got a foothold at different times but we could never really push on.
“It was a good toss (for them) to win because it was going to turn as the match went on but at 145 for six we had got ourselves in the game but unfortunately Somerset did what good sides do. Steve Davies played well and they got themselves a score, which we thought was 40 above par.
“Then we got into a good position batting-wise but they stuck at it and we got blown away.
“I thought there was no lack of effort or work-rate on our part. We were up against a really good team.”
Between tea on day two and the end of the match on day three a total of 27 wickets fell.
“I thought it was an exciting cricket pitch,” said Moores. “If you look at the records here, wining the toss is quite a big thing. We knew that – and knew the wicket would deteriorate. We don’t get that, much, in England. It also had pace for the seamers. You go to different venues and you get different conditions.”
Notts had to contend with a significant number of illness and injury concerns over the course of the trip, although the Head Coach didn’t use that as an excuse.
“We’ve had a run of things at the moment,” he said. “Ben Duckett had tweaked a hip-flexor, Joe Clarke did a hammy (hamstring) but Liam (Patterson-White) was perhaps the most unfortunate, getting tonsillitis on his debut.
“But credit to how he came back. It’s part of pro sport, so there is no point moaning about it. You get yourself ready and you get organised for the next game. In many ways it hurt us in the first innings, being a man down. But credit to Somerset, they’ve played good cricket all year – both in the Royal London and in this.”
Moores praised Ravi Ashwin and Liam Patterson-White, who both picked up five wickets in the Somerset second innings.
Ashwin also scored 41, after asking to bat at number four in the order.
“He said last night that if we wanted to put him up the order then he likes batting. He was a batter when he started and took up spin later.
“He loves the game. It’s a craft, to him, and he’s happy to experiment and try different things. He bowled beautifully and with the right level of skill he showed how you could bat on there as well.
“Liam has done really well and not just over the last month or so. It’s been quite a frustrating time for him because there’s not been much cricket whilst the World Cup has been on.
“Over the last 18 months he’s been where a lot of young players get to; at a crossroads and you have to make some adjustments and credit to him he’s made them. With that he’s getting good results with ball and bat.”
Notts are next in action on Saturday when they face Surrey at Trent Bridge.
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A Notts Outlaws squad brimming with international talent will commence their T20 Vitality Blast campaign against Worcestershire Rapids at Trent Bridge on Thursday 18 July, with adult tickets priced at £10. Secure your seats…