The final day of the 2015 domestic cricket season promises to be a tense, exciting affair with Nottinghamshire still harbouring ambitions to finish in the runners-up position in Division One.
To do that they will need an inspirational morning with the ball after Hampshire bossed the final session of an enthralling third day.
Set to score exactly 200 to win and keep their LV= County Championship First Division survival hopes alive, the visitors closed the day in a commanding position on 89 without loss.
Notts bundled over the final two wickets in Hampshire’s first innings to take a 14-run advantage. They were then undone themselves, slumping to 185 all out, with Fidel Edwards taking four for 57 to give him match figures of ten for 145. Edwards changed the complexion of the day by dismissing Chris Read, Billy Root and Stuart Broad within the space of seven deliveries.
Brendan Taylor led the home side’s batting effort, scoring 90 and going past 1,000 runs for the season.
His dismissal marked a significant moment in the day, with the Zimbabwean confirming its importance.
“I’m extremely disappointed with the way I got I got out and the timing of the dismissal,” he said. “It led to a cluster of wickets falling and allowed Hampshire back into the game, so I’m disappointed in the way that happened.
“We were keen and focused to start the day well with the ball and we did that but maybe our concentration levels weren’t quite as high as they should have been when we batted.”
When Notts began their second innings, midway through the morning session, they soon lost Jake Libby, as the young Cornishman was bowled by Fidel Edwards for two.
Steven Mullaney pulled a huge six off Gareth Berg on his way to 19 but was then adjudged to be lbw against Ryan Stevenson.
Taylor reached 1,000 first class runs for the season when he scored his 20th run and showed his intent by lifting Liam Dawson for six in the first over after lunch.
He advanced to 50 (85 balls 7x4 1x6), bringing up the milestone with an up-and-over shot which went for four off the pacy Edwards.
After a stand of 78 for the third wicket Notts lost Samit Patel, bowled by Berg for 25 and Riki Wessels followed in the same manner for 9.
Using his feet against the spin of Liam Dawson, Taylor fell just short of his fourth Championship century of the summer by failing to clear James Vince at mid off.
Ryan McLaren gained his first two wickets of the match in spectacular fashion, knocking over the stumps of both Jake Ball and Harry Gurney.
Earlier, Hampshire’s last two wickets added a further 28 runs during the opening half hour of the day, before Broad ended the innings by having Berg caught down the leg side for 72.
Gurney, who returned figures of four for 70, ended a match-changing ninth wicket partnership of 123 by getting McLaren to play on for 52.
Final Day Ticket Information
Want to watch Nottinghamshire for the final time in 2015? Entry for the final day of the LV= County Championship match against Hampshire is priced at £5 for adults and £1 for juniors, with tickets available on the gate.
The 2015 season has seen dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.