Dramatic Final Day Foils Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire suffered defeat in the first game of the new County Championship season following an astonishing final day against Essex at Trent Bridge.
The opening round of the season saw the Vertu Motors-backed county face off against the side that had finished as runners-up to Surrey last season, and the opening day went the way of the home side despite encouraging knocks from both Dean Elgar and Jordan Cox on their debuts.
Elgar was one of five people to fall victim to Dane Patterson as he took 5-49 to leave Essex on 244-9 after day one, with the visitors only able to add nine more runs when play resumed on the second day.
Joe Clark led the line for Nottinghamshire when they then headed out to reply with an impressive 104 but after he fell with the score on 259, Essex rattled through the lower order – helped by Sam Cook taking a hat-trick as the home side were bowled out for 293.
A century partnership between Paul Walter and Matt Critchley allowed Essex to build their advantage during the third day of play and would eventually declare on 374-8 on the final morning to leave Nottinghamshire chasing 335 for victory.
Ben Duckett, Haseeb Hameed and Ben Slater all fell in the opening six overs, with the latter pair falling to Cook who would once again be in inspired form with the ball.
A stunning haul of 6-14 from just 14 overs saw him bowl Essex to victory as Notts were all out for just 80, leaving them with four points from the opening fixture.
Worcestershire are the next visitors to Trent Bridge in the second round of fixtures.
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