Nottinghamshire’s LV= County Championship match against Durham at Chester-le-Street ended in a draw after they had been set a victory target of 272 from 58 overs.
Thanks to an unbeaten 68 from Adam Voges, the visitors reached 172-5 with the captains agreeing to shake hands with four overs still remaining.
Earlier Dale Benkenstein had top-scored with 61 not out in Durham’s second innings which closed on 181-3 declared soon after lunch.
“Karl has done excellently and we’ll see much more of him in the championship side for the rest of the season.” - Mick Newell
Apart from Voges’ splendid effort Notts gained useful runs at the top of the order from Karl Turner, who made 40 on his debut, against the side that released him last season.
“When I walked out in the first innings it felt really weird”, said the 23 year old. “A lot of my family and friends were there and I’d always thought of playing on this ground. I didn’t get the chance to do it for Durham but am really pleased to have been given a chance by Notts.”
Turner added that he felt in reasonable form in his second innings. “I I felt really good and started well, getting off to a bit of a flyer. I was going along nicely until Blackwell got that one to turn a little bit.”
Mick Newell, director of cricket, also praised Turner’s performance. “Karl has done excellently and we’ll see much more of him in the championship side for the rest of the season.”
After a rain-reduced third day, Durham held an overall lead of 127 when the final morning began. Paul Collingwood and Ben Stokes were at the crease with their side on 37-2.
In sunny but gusty conditions, Stokes (13) soon fell, edging behind off Shreck. That brought Dale Benkenstein to the middle and he helped Collingwood add an unbroken 92 by lunch – with both men passing their half centuries just before the interval.
At various stages of the session it appeared as if Collingwood was being troubled by a back injury, so it wasn’t a major surprise when he failed to return after lunch, retiring hurt for 53.
His absence enabled the home side to send out Ian Blackwell as replacement and he quickly lifted the tempo – hitting Graeme White over the long on ropes on three occasions as he sped to 29 not out. Benkenstein ended on 61 not out, as Phil Mustard called a closure to the innings on 181-3.
The declaration set Notts a nominal target of 272 to win from at least 58 overs.
Debutants Sam Kelsall and Karl Turner had put on 21 for the opening wicket in the first innings but only added 10 second time around, with Callum Thorp getting Kelsall (4) leg before wicket.
Riki Wessels (6) was clean bowled by Graeme Onions for the second time in the match as Notts slipped to 37-2.
Turner produced a flurry of boundaries from the new ball bowlers but fell lbw, for 40, when the spin of Blackwell was introduced.
Adam Voges reached tea on 27 not out but almost lost his latest partner to the final ball before the interval. Steven Mullaney had played two delightful off-side boundaries off Mitch Claydon, who then found his outside edge, only for sub fielder Gareth Breese to spill the chance at second slip.
The final session began with Notts still requiring 184 to win from 34 overs. Both batsmen took time to reacclimatise themselves but then began to increase the tempo.
Voges passed his second fifty of the game and they had added 69 when Mullaney (26) edged behind off Onions. Chris Read (0) the first innings century-maker, also fell to a catch by Mustard, this time off Blackwell.
Paul Franks (18 not out) joined the Australian and the pair were able to add a further 31 runs before Phil Mustard, the home skipper, agreed to shake hands.
The draw confirms Notts in fifth position in the table and nudges Durham six points clear of Lancashire at the top.