Outlaws top NCL Division Two after hard fought victory

Nottinghamshire Outlaws went to the top of the Norwich Union National Cricket League Second Division with a hard-fought victory at Trent Bridge. Chasing 178 to win, the Outlaws achieved their target with four wickets and 15 balls to spare.

After winning the toss, Essex should have scored more than their eventual 177-9. That they got that respectable a score was due in no small measure to late order hitting from Cowan and Mason, after their batsmen failed to capitalise on a bright start.

The Essex openers plundered 30 off the first 5 overs, with Stuart Law in particular profiting from an inconsistent line and length from the Nottinghamshire opening bowlers. However, when Lucas found the right length, it immediately produced dividends - a fine inswinging yorker taking the important wicket of Stuart Law.

The arrival of out-of-form England captain Nasser Hussain saw a transformation in the pace of the innings. Hussain, looking for time in the middle prior to the second Test, struggled for timing throughout his innings, scoring just 3 from 28 balls before falling to Paul Franks. The Notts all-rounder showed with his pace and control why is so highly thought of by the England selectors.

Irani was the only Essex player to bat with any fluency, consolidating well for 52 as wickets fell regularly at the other end. The Essex captain was finally caught by Harris at deep fine leg skying a Paul Franks delivery. Danny Law chipped in with 22 - including a six over deep fine leg, before falling to David Lucas - Chris Read taking an excellent diving catch.

A late flurry of runs from Ashley Cowan and Tim Mason took the score to 177, a total which looked eminently achievable on a sound pitch.

The Nottinghamshire batsmen set off purposefully after the early dismissal of Bicknell, caught at square leg off Ilott. Gallian was soon into his stride, striking a eight assertive, and very correct, boundaries in his composed 41.

The total was well ahead of the required rate when Gallian fell to Irani. Nottinghamshire then faltered, with an excellent spell from Tim Mason containing the batsmen and forcing them to make mistakes at the other end. Morris looked purposeful, driving powerfully, but fell to Ilott. Afzaal was run out, and Law had Tolley caught behind with one that moved away. Guy Welton's vigil came to an end when he stepped across his stumps to glance a straight ball from Danny Law, and was ajudged LBW by umpire Jesty.

The arrival of Paul Franks, earlier awarded Norwich Union Player of the Month Award, imposed the necessary discipline on the Notts run chase. Pushing quick singles and punishing the bad ball, his partnership with Read seized the initiative for the Outlaws, and rapidly calmed the nerves of the shivering supporters.

Man of the Match Read became more confident, reserving particular punishment for Cowan, pulling him powerfully to the mid-wicket boundary as the target decreased. Franks showed what a good selection he could be for England, intelligently marshalling a run chase that was never easy.

Nasser Hussain gave the selectors cause for concern, hurting his finger when sticking out a hand in a vain attempt to stop a powerful Read drive when the game was all but lost. The selectors meeting here this evening have enough to discuss - the future of Hick and Ramprakash is certain to be on the agenda, as will the lacklustre performance of Giddins in the last Test. On today's showing, they could do a lot worse than look to Franks to fill the third seamer spot.