Nottinghamshire’s Second Eleven were tested in the first day of their Second Eleven Friendly against Lincolnshire, posting 232 all out, before the hosts reached 55-0 by stumps. 

After traveling to Sleaford, Notts chose to bat first and opening pair Sam Kelsall and Hassan Azad reached 50 without loss, but shortly afterward Kelsall was run out for 24, attempting a risky second.

Gareth Curtis made five before being caught in the slips in the following over, but Sam Wood and Azad progressed the score to just shy of 100. Just when the pair looked set to turn their starts into scores, Wood was trapped LBW by Matt Carter, Notts 97-3 in the 22nd over. Adam Tillcock and Azad saw Notts through to lunch, ending the session on 106-3. 

Azad’s innings ended shortly after lunch, caught off Brent for 36, and Adam Tillcock perished shortly afterwards, caught at mid off to give Brent his second. Brett Hutton made seven before being caught and bowled by Carter, and keeper Matt Cross edged behind five overs later.

Captain Paul Franks stayed resolute, seeing out the session alongside Australian trialist Stephen Seymour to reach tea on 185-7.

Seymour brought up Notts’ 200 with a boundary four, but three overs later Franks edged down leg, his 45 the side’s top score.

Jake Ball was bowled for four, before Gary Keedy joined Seymour, who made 34 before being caught off Powell, ending the innings on 232.

In reply, Lincolnshire openers Ross Carnelly and Kranjit Bansal saw the home side through to stumps at 55 without loss.