Nottinghamshire v Durham: Samit Patel hits 99 as hosts take charge

LV= County Championship Division One, Trent Bridge
Close, day one: Nottinghamshire 377 v Durham
Nottinghamshire 4 pts, Durham 3 pts
Match scorecard

Samit Patel fell one run short of his century as Nottinghamshire made 377 against Durham at Trent Bridge.

Durham had Notts 29-3, but James Taylor (88) and Patel then put on 192.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes, had them caught at third-man in quick succession.

It was soon 281-7, but thanks to Chris Read (59 not out) and cameos from Peter Siddle (31) and Andre Adams, the hosts secured a fourth batting point.

The visiting who are without a Championship win so far this season, will rue letting such a promising start slip.

Chris Rushworth had Steven Mullaney caught behind with the game's first delivery, and when young seamer Usman Arshad got rid of experienced duo Phil Jacques and Michael Lumb cheaply, Nottinghamshire were in big trouble.

But Patel and Taylor, both discarded by England for the recent series, played with their renowned panache as the ball sailed to the rope on 27 occasions, and over it three times.

Then the reintroduction of Stokes after a fruitless first spell will have warmed the heart of as he snared the pair and triggered a middle-order collapse.

Captain Read was on hand to rally his troops though, batting almost two-and-a-half hours for his half-century to end the day with his team in charge.

BBC Radio Nottingham's Dave Bracegirdle:

"There's a certain irony in that, on the day England were bowled out for 99, a player who so desperately yearns to get his place back in the national side fell for the same score.

"Samit Patel was a forlorn figure as he trooped off one short of his century, yet could take some small satisfaction in doing it to a standing ovation.

"Another sublime innings from Patel, partnered by James Taylor in a county record fourth wicket stand against the champions, must surely have given the England selectors more than just a gentle nudge in the rib-cage.

"Bizarrely, both he and Taylor fell to catches at third man, within eight balls of each other - there seemed no other orthodox way of getting either of them out."

BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson:

"Stokes took 3-70 on his comeback after suffering a broken wrist when he punched a locker on England's T20 tour of the West Indies in the winter.

"He has had surgery since then and eight weeks out, but given England's thrashing by Sri Lanka today his country may come calling.

"Durham's Usman Arshad also took three wickets, so too debutant Gavin Main, as Notts were bowled out in the last over of the day."