Nottinghamshire’s Second Eleven toiled in the first day of their Championship match against the MCC Young Cricketers, ending the three sessions on 217-9 thanks to some resilient middle order batting from Matt Cross, Brett Hutton and Ajmal Shahzad.
After being put in by the visitors, Nottinghamshire found early progress difficult, losing three wickets inside the first eight overs for just 14 runs. Hassan Azad was trapped LBW without scoring, and Alex Hales was caught behind off Palash Joshi, before the same man bowled Sam Wood to leave Notts 14-3.
Adam Tillcock joined the resilient Sam Kelsall and the pair took the score on to 60 before Shane Getkate bowled the former for 21. He struck again in the 28th over, having Kelsall caught in the slips for 32. Keeper Matt Cross joined Will Root in the middle and the pair reached lunch with the score 72-5.
The pair added a further 23 to the score after lunch before Root was adjudged LBW to Adam Dobb, and Ajmal Shahzad entered the fray. Cross and Shahzad continued steadily, passing 100 in the 51st over and a further 32 before Cross was caught off Abid for 47 to leave Notts 132-7.
Brett Hutton joined Shahzad and after navigating the remaining overs of the session, the pair added runs after tea. Shahzad proved the anchor, taking runs where available to allow Hutton to play with a touch of much-needed freedom. Hutton was eventually trapped for 47, before Joshi made it two wickets in two balls, Andre Adams caught by Piesley with the next delivery.
Jake Ball joined Shahzad before bad light stopped play for the day, Nottinghamshire ending on 217-9.