Nottinghamshire’s profligacy in the field wrecked what was shaping up to be an impressive start to Peter Moores’ coaching consultancy at Trent Bridge.
It was with a view to improving their County Championship cricket that the two-time England coach Moores was drafted in on a three-month deal – it is understood a permanent position under the club’s director of cricket Mick Newell will be considered in September should all parties be amenable. On this evidence work is required on fielding.
By far the costliest of three dropped catches by the hosts, in addition to Eoin Morgan being caught in the slips off a no-ball, was that of Dawid Malan on 29; a chance cut hard and low to Samit Patel at point off the all-rounder Brett Hutton. The stylish Middlesex left-hander finished the opening day unbeaten on a Championship-best 159 not out.
For Malan, five and a half hours at the crease proved ample time for him to alleviate his frustration. Having missed a sizeable chunk of the Division One campaign after breaking a bone in his hand in the reverse fixture with the season 24 hours old, he then injured a groin on his return against Yorkshire last month.
On his return, he was the one top-order batsman to instil confidence against a revamped Nottinghamshire attack, scoring heavily square of the wicket on the off-side to reach three figures from 143 balls during a chanceless eighth-wicket stand with James Harris.
The alterations to Nottinghamshire’s bowling attack were the consequences of a gruelling but ultimately successful relegation duel with Worcestershire earlier this week that propelled them 13 points clear of the drop zone. Injuries to Andy Carter and Luke Fletcher, and fatigue to the Australian import Ben Hilfenhaus in that 113-run win offered chances to the left-armers Luke Wood, Harry Gurney and Jake Ball, who bowled them to victory over Sussex here last month.
That trio, in conjunction with the all-rounder Hutton, made good Chris Read’s decision to insert the visitors as the triumvirate of internationals Joe Burns, Sam Robson and Nick Compton were accounted for early, the latter immediately after being put down by Brendan Taylor at second slip.
Four afternoon wickets followed, including one of personal atonement for Taylor, who followed a second drop in the cordon by clasping a drive from Ollie Rayner low at short cover. But that was Notts’ lot as Malan and Harris, Middlesex’s player of the season to date, made their opponents rue missed opportunities.
