Nottinghamshire's Alex Hales floors Worcestershire
Last updated on .From the section Cricket
| LV County Championship Division One, Trent Bridge |
| Nottinghamshire 382 & 266-7 beat Worcestershire 315 & 328 by three wickets |
| Notts 22pts, Worcs 6pts |
| Match scorecard |
Alex Hales hit 84 to help preserve county champions Nottinghamshire's 100% start with a three-wicket win over Worcestershire at Trent Bridge.
After Worcestershire were bowled out for 328, Hales' 84 set the hosts on the way to their victory target of 262.
When Hales fell to Gareth Andrew in between two Damien Wright strikes, Notts were then wobbling on 208-6.
However, Chris Read (35 not out) and Paul Franks (26) added 52 for the seventh wicket to secure victory.
With Worcestershire resuming on 256-5, Alex Kervezee (128) and Gareth Andrew (67) took their sixth-wicket stand to 135 before both men fell to Paul Franks (3-49).
Notts took the second new ball as they continued to chip away at the tail, although Wright mustered 33 before becoming the last man to be dismissed.
The home openers fell soon after lunch, Neil Edwards, gloving behind off Alan Richardson, who then had his former Warwickshire team-mate Mark Wagh leg before.
But Hales batted with composure, adding 53 with Samit Patel (29) and 96 with Adam Voges (32).
However, when he offered a leading edge off the bowling of Gareth Andrew and Steven Mullaney was bowled by Wright, Worcestershire scented an unlikely victory.
Their hopes were snuffed out by Read and Franks and, although Franks was brilliantly caught by Moeen Ali off Alan Richardson, Notts skipper Read won it with a six.
POST-MATCH SUMMARY
BBC Radio Nottingham's Dave Bracegirdle:
"It seems a little strange to suggest that the reigning county champions have had to fight to gain a little respect but, having been written off as outsiders by most pundits, Notts now lead the table after a perfect start.
"Chris Read's side now know how to win and, despite a truly spirited performance from Worcestershire, they got home in difficult circumstances for the second Friday running.
"Alex Hales now has three scores of over 80 in his last four innings and the England selectors will be monitoring his progress even more closely now."
