CROSS CATCHES SEVEN AS SECOND XI PUT PRESSURE ON DERBYSHIRE

Notts pressed their advantage in day two of their Second XI friendly against Derbyshire.

Sam Wood and and Adam Tillcock claimed three apiece, and wicket keeper Matt Cross took seven catches in an innings to reduce Derbyshire to 193, before Notts' batsmen ended the day on 143-3, a lead of 279.

After starting the day 310 in the lead, Notts’ opening bowlers Brett Hutton and George Bacon took quick wickets. Hamilton edged one off Hutton to a diving Matt Cross and three balls later he took an easier catch off Bacon to dismiss Wood for 8, Derbyshire 21-2.

Godleman and Scott Elstone were in next, but Bacon trapped the former LBW, before Hutton accounted for Wes Durston, again caught by Cross, leaving Derbyshire 47-4. 

Greg Cork joined the unbeaten Elstone and they shared a 65-run partnership before Tillcock found Cork’s edge and Cross, once again, made no mistake. Harvey Hosein came to the crease at 112-5 and the pair navigated their way to lunch with no further loss. 

Notts continued to press after lunch; Sam Wood tempted Hosein into a pull, which only found Luke Wood and the next over Tillcock bowled Elstone, Derbyshire 123-7. 

Tom Knight joined Tim Taylor, but Sam Wood and Cross combined once more to see off Knight for 12 in the 47^th over. Tillcock then found Taylor’s edge, and once again Cross made no mistake. At 154-9 the follow-on was a realistic possibility, but final pair Marsden and Cotton passed the necessary 180 in the 65^th over.

13 runs later Cotton’s edge off Sam Wood gifted Cross his seventh catch of the innings, which closed on 193. Sam Wood took 3-23 off 19.1, Adam Tillcock 3-52 off 18. 

Notts opened with Sam Kelsall, Riki Wessels and a lead of 136. The pair made 20 before tea, but in the first over after the break Wessels was bowled by Evans with no addition to his total of 15. 

Kelsall, alongside Azad, took Notts past 50 but Kelsall was caught off Marsden in the 16^th over, the home side 57-2. Wood took to the crease but only added 1 before being caught behind off Cork, Notts’ lead 214.

Anuj Dal arrived, and the pair negotiatied the remaining overs, Azad passing 50 in the 33^rd over and by stumps at the end of the 40^th Notts were 143-3, Azad 68* and Dal 20*.

Going into the final day, Notts lead by 279.