Warwickshire's Ian Bell frustrates Nottinghamshire
Last updated on .From the section Cricket
| LV County Championship Division One, Trent Bridge |
| Close, day one: Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire 233-3 |
| Notts 1pt, Warwicks 1pt |
| Match scorecard |
| Live commentary |
Ian Bell hit an unbeaten half-century ahead of England's first Test with Sri Lanka as Warwickshire had the better of day one against Nottinghamshire.
Bell (68no) and England team-mate Jonathan Trott (32) helped the Bears reach stumps on 233-3 at Trent Bridge.
Varun Chopra (41) and Will Porterfield (54) had given the visitors a good start putting on 72 in only 16 overs.
Charlie Shreck, Andre Adams and Paul Franks took a wicket each but Stuart Broad bowled 16 overs without reward.
Notts captain Chris Read won his fourth toss of the season and chose to put Warwickshire into bat under overcast skies.
Broad and new ball partner Shreck found plenty of swing early on but had no joy, with Chopra in particular punishing anything overpitched.
Former Essex man Chopra, who already has two double centuries to his name this season, fell first though as he was tempted into another drive by Shreck and edged to a diving Adam Voges at first slip.
Mark Wagh dropped a difficult chance at midwicket when Porterfield was on 27, before two lengthy rain showers forced the players off for 37 overs.
Play resumed at 1630 BST and Notts had to wait half an hour into the final session for another breakthrough.
After hitting nine fours, Porterfield's thin edge carried through to Read off Adams to leave Warwickshire 120-2.
New arrival Trott began his innings with four confident boundaries but failed to push on, playing loosely away from his body to a short ball from Franks.
Bell reached a 92-ball half-century in the next over, coming down the track to England spinner Graeme Swann - who bowled only two overs in the day.
Mohammad Yousuf reached 27 not out by stumps, sharing an unbroken stand of 53 with Bell in 11 overs.
CLOSE OF PLAY SUMMARY
BBC Radio Nottingham's Dave Bracegirdle:
"A tough day in the office for the defending county champions wasn't helped by two lengthy interruptions for bad weather.
"Warwickshire's powerful top order looked in good fettle with Ian Bell in sublime form.
"Neither of Nottinghamshire's England bowlers, Stuart Broad or Graeme Swann, got amongst the wickets on the first day and will both be hoping for better fortune as the match progresses."
