Nottinghamshire Head Coach Peter Moores was left rueing a missed opportunity as his side failed to capitalise on a good start on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship clash with Essex at Trent Bridge.

The home side lost Ben Duckett early on but recovered to a promising position thanks to two fifty-run stands between captain Steven Mullaney, Ben Slater and Chris Nash. 

However, once Mullaney fell with the score 141-4, Notts slumped to 213 all out in the evening session. 

Essex then closed day one on 72-1 and Moores knows his side have missed out on the chance to build a good first innings total.

"We are disappointed about not getting a bigger score especially after getting off to a good start," he said.

"Chris (Nash) and Steven (Mullaney) had a good partnership before they were both caught down the leg so they'll feel a bit hard done to but that's the game.

"We’re below par we’ve got to accept that. We can’t chase the game, we’ve just got to do our stuff with the ball and make inroads in the morning.

"I think the pitch will turn later on in the game, it’s already turning a little bit at the moment."

A reshuffle at the top of the order saw the skipper open the innings alongside Duckett and the change paid off as Mullaney top scored in the hosts' innings with 74. 

However, Mullaney was one of three dismissals to be caught down the leg side with Moores acknowledging the misfortune.

"Steve played really nice, it gave us a right/left hand combination at the top and it was great he took on that responsibility," he said.

"You don’t normally get three in an innings (caught down the leg side), sometimes that’s how it goes but it was tough, we’ve just got to hope the luck levels itself out in the game."

Despite the tough start to the game Stuart Broad provided a glimmer of hope, removing Alastair Cook for just two runs and Moores still has belief in his bowlers to bring Notts back into the game when play resumes tomorrow morning.

"One day is gone, we’ve got to focus on tomorrow, have a good first hour and start to build on that," he said.

"I thought Stuart and Luke bowled really well with the new ball and we’ve got to do that again tomorrow morning.

"We’ve got to back ourselves to bowl well in the morning, create some pressure and get some wickets and get the momentum coming our way."

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A Notts Outlaws squad brimming with international talent will commence their T20 Vitality Blast campaign against Worcestershire Rapids at Trent Bridge on Thursday 18 July, with adult tickets priced at £10. Secure your seats…