Pattinson cuts through Somerset

Somerset 143 for 7 (Kieswetter 39, Pattinson 3-51) v Nottinghamshire
Scorecard

Nottinghamshire's opening bowlers enjoyed what little cricket was available on the first day against Somerset at Trent Bridge, cutting deep into the visitors' lineup. Darren Pattinson, though rather expensive, was the bowler of the day with three wickets.

Winning the toss at a ground like Trent Bridge can present a dilemma, but Somerset decided to bat in conditions that began in warm sunshine. Few people seemed adjusted to the 10.30 September start, as the ground itself looked somnolent and there were only a few scattered spectators in the stands at that time. Justin Langer played half-forward to the first ball of the match, from Charlie Shreck; possibly he was anticipating swing, but it was dead straight and Langer was promptly stuck lbw.

The first runs came in the next over, as Marcus Trescothick hit Darren Pattinson for a handsome four through extra cover. As usual batting was not easy, with some movement in the air and off the pitch, and also more lift than usual, but Trescothick only occasionally looked rushed; even when he played and missed, he seemed to do so with time to spare. His partners never came to grips with the bowling. Zander de Bruyn played back and edged to the keeper for 8; with the extra lift, a player had to make sure he was right across behind the line, as Chris Read rarely offers second chances. Having said that, all his catches of the day were very straight-forward and most due to lapses in concentration or technical inadequacies.

Until the verge of lunch, Nottinghamshire rotated their three seamers, Shreck, Pattinson and Andre Adams. It was Adams who surprised Trescothick when he had 35, moving a ball back from outside the off stump to bowl him off the inside edge. In quick time James Hildreth, perhaps in desperation at his inability to get off the mark, was caught at the wicket off a ball that lifted, and Wes Durston (2) followed in like fashion, both off Pattinson, reducing Somerset to 51 for 5.

Ian Blackwell played himself in and batted well, accumulating runs and hitting the loose ball powerfully. He scored 24 off 25 before he was trapped lbw by a full-length ball from Shreck. Craig Kieswetter wisely took a long time to play himself in, holding up his end for Blackwell, and when his partner fell he took over the leading role while Peter Trego dug in.

Rain interfered twice with the play during the afternoon session. Trego finally found his confidence, reaching double figures with two off-side boundaries in an over from Pattinson, but in the prevailing conditions a batsman could never drop his guard. Kieswetter paid for his indiscretion on 39, slashing at a ball from Adams and providing Read with his fourth catch.

Soon after, however, the rain returned in greater force, just before tea, and the players were unable to return. Nottinghamshire undoubtedly had the better of this 48-over day, but at this venue in particular, their opponents are by no means out of the contest.