Day 1: Warwickshire (93-1) trail Nottinghamshire (131) by 38 runs at Edgbaston.

On a day when an all-out total of 131 defined Nottinghamshire’s day, the Green and Golds can be hopeful that the all-action exploits of their fast-bowling cult hero, Luke Fletcher, ultimately go some way towards defining their season.

The 32-year-old missed the entirety of his county’s red-ball season in 2020 through injury, but came through a punishing new-ball spell in the second city with the possibility of further graft to come tomorrow.

Fletcher took the solitary Warwickshire wicket on day one as the home side closed on 93-1 in response to a Notts tally of 131.

Nottinghamshire, batting first by prior arrangement, negotiated the opening ten overs without undue alarm for the addition of 32, before the opening duo of Ben Slater (4) and Haseeb Hameed (23) each nicked off to Tim Bresnan and Liam Norwell respectively.

Joe Clarke (0) was caught sharply by Henry Brooks at cover and – although Ben Duckett busily nurdled his way to 24 – he and Ben Compton (6) each lobbed return catches to the left-arm spin of Danny Briggs, leaving the Green and Golds to take lunch at 69-5.

Will Rhodes clean bowled both Tom Moores (4) and Steven Mullaney (9) within minutes of the interval. And when Liam Patterson-White was caught behind aiming an expansive drive at Brooks, Notts were 87-8.

Brett Hutton appeared untroubled in reaching 18 before he was trapped lbw aiming to work Bresnan to leg.

Zak Chappell appeared equally untroubled in easing t0 15 before his lofted drive was snaffled at mid-on to hand Briggs his third dismissal of the innings.

The Notts innings ended at the loss of their 11th wicket; that of Fletcher caught at cover off Bresnan (3-18) for four.

Fletcher, who had spent the entire opening session walking laps of the boundary fence, further indulged in physical toil with a ten-over new-ball stint during the latter part of the day.

His trademark perspiration resulted in the wicket of Rhodes (19), caught by Hameed at third slip.

Following an injury ravaged 2020, coming through the spell unscathed may prove a critical milestone in itself with hopes springing eternal of happier times ahead.

Stream playback, full scorecard and video highlights are available via Trent Bridge Live here…

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