3:54pm Friday 3rd September 2010
By Tim Wellock
JUST when the game seemed certain to drift aimlessly to a draw it fizzed back into life through Ben Harmison taking three wickets in four balls. Nottinghamshire lost three more and were 119 for seven at tea, with 37 overs left.
Such is the glorious unpredictability of sport that Harmison suddenly went from zero to hero. Coming on for the fifth over of the innings after Liam Plunkett limped off, the only threat he carried in four overs before lunch was that he might encourage Nottinghamshire to go for victory.
He conceded 24 in four overs and there was a wide in his first over after the break. But two overs later he suddenly got it right.
Alex Hales pushed forward and edged into the safe paws of Michael Di Venuto at second slip and the next ball, perfectly pitched on off stump, bounced steeply.
Australian Adam Voges, also pushing forward, edged it to Phil Mustard. The hat-trick ball was short and wide, allowing Samit Patel to collect two easy runs, but the next one swung in slightly then straightened off the pitch. Patel had played back and the ball brushed his pads, giving Trevor Jesty an easy lbw decision.
Harmison continued to mix good balls with bad in four more wicketless overs before he was rested, but a stand of 30 between Mark Wagh and Ali Brown was deservedly broken by Ian Blackwell.
He had beaten Wagh several times, one ball missing his off stump by a gnat’s whisker, but finally had him lbw for 18.
When Harmison was recalled after a brief second spell from Mitch Claydon, he struck with his fifth ball.
Visiting skipper Chris Read drove wide of off stump and edged low to third slip, where substitute Gareth Breese held a good catch.
Then Blackwell’s arm ball hurried on to pin Brown lbw for 29, although he didn’t appear to agree with Neil Mallender’s decision.
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