Pardoe's half century for Worcestershire halts Notts
Last updated on .From the section Cricket
| LV County Championship Division One, Trent Bridge |
| Close, day one: Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire 253-7 |
| Notts 2pts, Worcs 2pts |
| Match scorecard |
| Live commentary |
Worcestershire youngster Matthew Pardoe hit a second half century in successive matches to frustrate Nottinghamshire on the opening day at Trent Bridge.
Daryl Mitchell (41) helped the visitors to a confident start but, from 55-0, they slipped to 102-5, Andre Adams (4-57) taking his tally to 16 wickets.
Pardoe, who was unbeaten on 56 at the close, led Worcestershire's recovery.
The 20-year-old put on 93 for the sixth wicket with Gareth Andrew (48), while Damien Wright was 32 not out at stumps.
Notts did not help themselves as Pardoe, who passed 50 for the second time in a week in his fledgling first-class career, was dropped on 15 and 35.
Earlier in the day, opening bowlers Luke Fletcher and Charlie Shreck were unable to make an early breakthrough as Worcestershire passed 50 with no alarm.
It was left to Adams to come on and take the wicket of James Cameron (25), caught at first slip by Alex Hales.
Vikram Solanki followed in the next over, caught by Adam Voges at third slip after an ambitious drive at Shreck before Adams bowled Moeen Ali.
After lunching at 92-3, Mitchell and Alexi Kervezee were then dismissed in successive overs by Adams.
Mitchell went to a defensive edge before Kervezee departed to a spectacular diving catch down the leg-side from wicketkeeper Chris Read.
Notts failed to turn the screw, dropping Andrew and Pardoe in the afternoon session.
They were made to pay, before Andrew gave his wicket away, cutting Samit Patel to Adams at point. And Ben Cox went cheaply, edging Paul Franks to Read. But Pardoe and Wright saw Worcestershire comfortably to the close.
DAY ONE REACTION
BBC Hereford & Worcester's Dave Bradley:
"This was Worcestershire's day having been put in, then wilting under Andre Adams' fine bowling post lunch.
"Gareth Andrew took advantage of some poor Notts catching (they put down four during the day) as he proved he is becoming a genuine all-rounder.
"Steve Rhodes says he wants his batsmen to 'bat time' and young Matt Pardoe did just that to perfection, allowing Damien Wright to come in to clobber some useful runs.
"Adams bowled superbly but maybe wasted a bit too much breath in sledging Pardoe after he thought he had him caught behind.
"Maybe he should have saved some of his comments for his side's fielding which, Read apart, was not great. Is he still the best wicketkeeper in the country?"
