Steven Mullaney’s second century of the week put Nottinghamshire in command on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship match against Surrey at Trent Bridge.
The opener, who scored 139 against Cambridge MCCU on Tuesday, continued his impressive start to the new campaign by making 113, scoring his runs from 114 deliveries, with 18 fours, as the home side made 446 before being bowled out late in the day.
In the two overs that remained Surrey’s openers reached seven without loss.
Despite a greenish tinge to the wicket, bat dominated the ball on the opening day of the season and Samit Patel, with 85, Riki Wessels, with 81 and Chris Read, who made an unbeaten 63 all added to Surrey’s woes, despite Ravi Rampaul taking five for 93 on his debut for the county.
Mullaney’s campaign couldn’t have got off to a better start, as he drove Tom Curran through the covers for four and then ran the next delivery to third man for three.
Former Nottinghamshire quick bowler Mark Footitt shared the new ball but his extra pace was met with the approval of Mullaney, who took 18 from the sixth over of the day.
Greg Smith opened the batting and hit two fours but on nine he nicked to Kumar Sangakkara at first slip, giving Tom Curran his 100th first class wicket.
Michael Lumb made 24 but was then given out lbw as Footitt switched to the Pavilion End and speared a full delivery in towards his heels.
Mullaney’s fifty was brought up with his ninth boundary and came from only 49 deliveries and by lunch he had advanced his score to 71.
Brendan Taylor, batting in the middle order for once, battled his way through to the interval and then played a couple of deft shots behind the wicket to propel his score onwards. On 20 he repeated Smith by nicking Tom Curran to Sangakkara at first slip. A shy from Sam Curran narrowly missed the stumps when Mullaney was on 92 and short of his ground, having pushed the ball straight to short extra cover and taken a couple of paces forward.
At 2.27pm Mullaney brought up the first century of the new season by crashing Ravi Rampaul through the covers for four. His ninth career hundred came up from 102 balls, with 17 boundaries.
Mullaney advanced his score to 113 but then inside-edged Rampaul through to ‘keeper Ben Foakes and had to walk off, satisfied but undoubtedly frustrated that he hadn’t continued further.
Wessels took up the fight, batting beautifully through the middle of the day, with some exquisite straight drives speeding him to a fifty of his own, made from 53 balls with 11 fours.
He pulled Tom Curran away for a majestic six but then nicked Rampaul into Foakes’ gloves when seemingly set for a ton.
Samit Patel also batted like a player that has made the most of his time away with England and the MCC. He pushed and drove the ball around the outfield with typical finesse and helped Footitt high over the fine leg rope for a maximum.
His half century came from 72 balls, with seven fours and that one maximum but a leg side flick off Tom Curran sailed into the hands of Sam Curran and another century had gone begging.
Brett Hutton shouldered arms to Footitt and went without scoring, before Rampaul polished off the innings in quick succession, removing Jake Ball (21), Jackson Bird (2) and Harry Gurney (0), leaving Read undefeated.
The skipper had become the fourth batsman to pass 50 ((78 balls 5x4 1x6) as Notts made the most of their opportunity to bat first.
The 2015 season saw dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
This season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.