Nottinghamshire’s second team continued to impress in Day Two of their friendly match at Essex. Resuming on 94-5, Matt Cross and Paul Franks added 11 before Cross was caught behind off Nadir.

He also accounted for Brett Hutton to reduce Notts to 117-7 on a pitch favouring the bowlers. Simon Webster joined Franks, who was caught in the slips for 35, before losing Luke Wood next ball, caught and bowled by Will Dunger. Last man Ben Kitt joined Webster, and the pair  added 40 for the last wicket before Kitt became Nadir’s sixth victim. Webster high-scored with 39 not out, while 17-year-old Nadir ended the innings with 6-31 off 23.2 overs.

Essex had two overs to play before lunch, but there was still time for a wicket, captain Brown caught well by Kelsall off Luke Wood for 1, doubling his score for the match.

Notts maintained the pressure in the afternoon session, a wicket apiece for Kitt, Wood and Brett Hutton reducing the hosts to 42-4, only two runs ahead of Nottinghamshire’s total. 

Lawrence added an attritional 33 before Kitt struck again, and Saf Imtiaz fell to Sam Wood, Essex 64-6. Saj Mahmood lifted the innings, making his way to a quick fire 32 by tea, leaving the hosts on 99-6.

Mahmood made 50 early into the evening session before being bowled by Hutton, before the remaining three wickets fell for just 17, Wood and Kitt running through the tail with comparative ease.

Luke Wood finished with 4-17, while Kitt’s 3-30 left him with match figures of 9-68. 

With 15 overs to play, Notts replied in increasingly troublesome light, losing three wickets before the umpires intervened after 7.5. Nadir collected two, trapping Hassan Azad before bowling Sam Kelsall, and Anuj Dal was bowled by Will Dunger.

Nottinghamshire closed the day on 28-3, requiring 92 to win.