Notts in last ball agony
by Steve Williams, 22nd June 2003

Needing 2 runs to win or 1 to tie, Notts managed neither and lost by the narrowest of margins in the NCL match against Middlesex at Trent Bridge.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Middlesex started brightly. Weekes 40 runs off 51 balls with 8 fours took them to 66, before he was caught by Afzaal off Clough at mid off. With Keegan holing out to Logan at square leg next ball, it was left to Owais Shah to steady the ship.

With England playing Pakistan at Lord's, he gave a timely reminder to the selectors with a fluent innings of straight bat strokeplay. Despite losing wickets at a steady rate, Shah continued to play some delightful shots and he moved to a well deserved century. When finally caught in the deep, his 106 had come off just 101 deliveries and included 10 fours and 2 sixes. The visitors innings ended soon after his departure for a total of 234 all out.

Logan was again the pick of the bowlers with 4-44, but a further 11 wides were conceded. Russell Warren, making his full Notts debut behind the stumps, kept well.

Notts reply started with a flurry of boundaries from Welton, but he soon became bogged down after the early loss of Gallian and Afzaal. Pietersen, who was initially content with singles, stepped up a gear after 15 overs. He started to hit the ball with his customary power and with the rate required up to 7 an over, was taking some well-run 2's.

When Welton went for a patient 50 with the score on 112, Shafayat joined Pietersen and the pair produced a potentially match winning partnership. The score had moved on at a brisk rate to 173, until Pietersen was caught on the boundary by Shah. He scored 82 off 70 balls, with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Shafayat then gave his wicket away straight after, skying to Weston and with Franks going cheaply, Notts were in trouble.

Warren, playing his first game since damaging his hand pre-season, showed his potential by keeping the board ticking, but the rate had climbed to an unlikely 33 off the final 3 overs. Clough and then Logan kept taking the singles to give Warren the strike, until the final over arrived with 11 needed. Two singles left 9 from 4, then a six from Warren that just cleared the boundary had the home fans cheering.

3 from 3 seemed simple compared to 33 from 18, but a dot ball followed with Warren only managing a single from the fifth ball. It was Logan who was left with the unenviable task of trying to win or tie the game, but a good delivery from Weekes prevented Logan getting much bat on ball and there was an easy run out at the bowlers end. Warren, with 36 from 30 balls, deserved better.

The Middlesex players were ecstatic with their 1 run victory, but yet again Notts had flattered to deceive.