Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed both hit hundreds and put on a record-breaking unbroken stand of 236 to steer Nottinghamshire to a draw on the final day of the LV= County Championship clash with Worcestershire.
Both openers concluded with precisely the same score, 114 not out, as Notts batted for almost five hours without losing a wicket at New Road.
Slater’s century was his fourth in Green and Gold, and Hameed paired his first-innings ton yesterday with another today, becoming only the 20th man in Notts history to hit a hundred in both innings of a first-class match.
By the time the teams shook hands, Slater and Hameed had made history by passing the previous record Notts opening stand against Worcestershire of 220, set by George Gunn and William Whysall in 1924.
Hameed’s personal crease occupation throughout the match was also record-breaking, as he faced 635 deliveries, the most in County Championship history, and batted for a total of over 13 hours.
It was a fabulous show of resolve from the opening pair, who batted unbeaten for more than four of the match’s sessions, as Notts fought back valiantly after being asked to follow on yesterday.
Worcestershire overseas quick Alzarri Joseph initially asked some questions with a good spell early on, but Slater and Hameed were confident in defence.
The patient pair demonstrated what was to come throughout the morning, as they both went to their respective fifties while simultaneously remaining watchful, hitting 57 runs in the opening two hours.
Slater was first to his half-century, cutting Charlie Morris to the point boundary with less than ten minutes played, before Hameed followed a short while later with a single off Brett D’Oliveira’s leg-spin.
The afternoon was played out in a near-identical vein, as the pair added 69 from the second session, but the undoubted highlight was Slater’s off-side push off D’Oliveira to reach his first century of the season.
Hameed was unbeaten on 98 at tea, but showed no signs of jangling nerves after the resumption, confidently joining Slater on three figures with four off the same bowler.
There was just enough time for the stand, which is also Nottinghamshire’s second highest for any wicket against Worcestershire, to make history, before final pleasantries were exchanged shortly before 5pm.
Thoughts now turn to another away game with neighbours Derbyshire next week, in the hope that this tremendous stand has provided an ideal platform from which the Green and Golds can build.
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