Nottinghamshire’s batsmen enjoyed more time in the middle as the Green and Golds concluded their opening match of 2021 on a rain-affected final day against Oxford UCCE.

The batting of Joe Clarke and Liam Patterson-White was a particular highlight of the third day of this warm-up encounter as the pair hit with power and purpose in a stand of 74.

Their departures triggered a small wobble, but the experience of Peter Trego came to the fore as the all-rounder assuredly led Notts through to the game’s conclusion at tea.

The afternoon session was the only time spent on the field, as the clouds gathered over Trent Bridge once more, and the hosts ended the day on 123-5, with Patterson-White’s positive 39 the top score.

After the first two days of the match had been played in glorious sunshine, it was disappointing to see the covers on in the morning as the first session was washed out.

However, the efforts of the groundstaff, combined with an improvement in the weather, ensured play could begin in the afternoon, and Notts would bat once again after Oxford declared overnight.

Ben Duckett and Haseeb Hameed were removed early on, both falling to Hugo Whitlock, but Clarke and Patterson-White steadied the ship with some confident boundaries.

The pair brought up a rapid half-century stand, and continued to profit as the sun attempted to poke through thick cloud, before Patterson-White edged Calvin Harrison to first slip.

The Oxford spinner then saw Clarke and hero of day two Brett Hutton caught off successive balls, before all-rounders Trego and Joey Evison put on an unbroken 38 at tea, with Notts 123-5.

A brief rain shower passed through Trent Bridge during the interval with the players already off, but with little prospect of a positive result, the match was brought to a close as a draw.

The Green and Golds will continue their pre-season preparations with a two-day friendly against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, beginning on Tuesday.

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Tickets to witness Notts Outlaws’ defence of their Vitality Blast title in 2021 are now on general sale.