Michael Lumb’s third century of the summer swung the impetus back towards Nottinghamshire on the third day of their LV= county championship match against Derbyshire at Trent Bridge.
Lumb was undefeated on 115 at stumps, with Notts closing on 204 for three, a deficit of 187 runs.
The left-hander was in sublime form after another lengthy stoppage for rain and shared in a stand of 121 with James Taylor, who made 40.
Taylor admitted that he had rarely seen his partner in such good form. “It was an outstanding innings from Michael,” he said. “I’ve rarely seen him play as well as that. It was an outstanding session of cricket and he showed us all up really with the quality of his innings.”
With only one day remaining the 23-year old admits he is unsure if it will be possible for a positive result to be achieved.
“At time we weren’t sure what was being suggested out there. I think Wayne Madsen (captain) wants to try and set something up as Derbyshire are desperate to try for a win. We are as well of course, so hopefully they can set up a game between them.”
Resuming from their overnight first innings score of 306 for six Derbyshire’s Richard Johnson and David Wainwright were immediately faced with the second new ball as Notts looked to polish off the innings.
The initial breakthrough took around forty minutes to arrive and clearly didn’t meet with the approval of Johnson (22) who had to be sent on his way by umpire Jeff Evans as Notts celebrated a catch at the wicket, as the batsman pushed at an Adams delivery.
That dismissal heralded a spell of three wickets falling in eighteen deliveries with Paul Franks removing Tim Groenewald (0) and Wainwright (22) in quick succession.
Groenewald was taken by a sharp catch at first slip by Riki Wessels, close to his right knee and the left-handed Wainwright drove to Ed Cowan at point.
From a position of dominance at 265 for two, the visitors had slipped to 337-9 but were then rescued by an enterprising stand of 54 for the final wicket between Mark Footitt and Mark Turner.
Former Notts man Footitt (24) easily surpassed his highest Trent Bridge score of 16 before lofting Samit Patel to long off where Wessels took his second catch of the day, leaving Turner undefeated on 23.
Cowan punched Groenewald away for two boundaries at the start of Nottinghamshire’s reply, which had moved on to 13 without loss at lunch.
During the early part of the afternoon session Wessels came under a barrage of quick bowling from Footitt and summoned the assistance of physio Ross Hollinworth after a blow to the hand.
Clearly unable to continue, he retired hurt on 9, bringing Michael Lumb to the crease.
Boundaries were coming fairly regularly as Derbyshire attacked with four slips in place. Cowan (24) hit Groenewald away for three consecutive boundaries but then edged the next ball low to Chesney Hughes at second slip.
After the afternoon session was washed away by a heavy thunderstorm Lumb and Taylor took the fight to the Derbyshire bowlers, with the left-hander leading the way.
Punishing the visitors attack, Groenewald in particular – who he hit for three boundaries in a row on one occasion – Lumb reached his fifty from 60 deliveries and his hundred from 120.
Taylor perished inbside the final overs, chopping on to give Groenewald his 200th first class wicket and then Patel (9) pulled Footitt to Chanderpaul at fine leg.
It may take all of the negotiating skills of the two captains to come up with a contrived run-chase that is suitable to both teams but the possibility of a thrilling final day remains.