Cricket is back as Nottinghamshire took to the field for the first time in 2019 for their opening pre-season tour fixture against Yorkshire at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, as the bowlers put further miles in their legs on the first day.
With heat in excess of 30 degrees, Nottinghamshire’s bowlers sent down 90 overs against a strong Yorkshire side, the Tykes finishing on 331-7.
At the start of the day, the Green and Golds were led out by stand-in captain Paul Coughlin, with Steven Mullaney missing the match due to a minor groin strain.
The 26-year-old immediately made an impact as, positioned in the slips, he caught Harry Brook off Mark Footitt without scoring.
That proved to be the solitary breakthrough for the Nottinghamshire bowlers in the opening session as experienced duo Adam Lyth and Gary Balance built a partnership.
The pair continued where they left off after lunch, before Lyth retired having reached 102, coming off 138 balls with 18 fours.
Zak Chappell, on his first appearance for the Club, then got the prized scalp of Balance, the left-hander falling just eight short of his century.
The bowlers’ toil was rewarded late in the day with a flurry of wickets, Footitt adding a second and Lyndon James dismissing Tim Bresnan for just eight.
Either side of those wickets, Jake Ball, a day after celebrating his 28th birthday, was all smiles as he rattled the stumps of Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
The wicket, and his return to bowling, marked the end of a long winter of rehabilitation for the fast bowler, hopefully kickstarting a prolific summer for the Welbeck Wizard.
The impressive Chappell, who went at just over three an over throughout the day, snared one further scalp before close, as Jack Leaning (58*) became the third Yorkshire batsman to pass 50.
“The lads put a real shift in and I was really happy to get the chance to lead the lads out there,” said captain Paul Coughlin.
"Everyone put a shift in for each other from the bowlers to the likes of Jack Blatherwick and Luke Wood who were in the field all day.
“It’s a tough wicket to bowl on and we did a great job to get to where we are and I’m sure the batters are knowing exactly what to expect tomorrow.”
Play will resume at 10am tomorrow (8am GMT) where Nottinghamshire’s batsmen will be looking to spend decent periods of time at the crease. Keep up-to-date with play by following Trent Bridge's Twitter and Instagram channels.
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Nottinghamshire begin their Specsavers County Championship campaign at Trent Bridge on Friday 5 April against Yorkshire. You can watch every ball of their campaign, as well as all seven T20 Vitality Blast games and all four Royal London One-Day Cup matches from £29 as a Member. Find out more here....