Nottinghamshire fell to their fourth Specsavers County Championship defeat of the season, when they went down by 228 runs to Surrey at The Oval despite a battling half-century from Brendan Taylor.

The visitors had been set a target of 386 from a minimum of 96 overs but they were bowled out for only 157 in 48.3 overs.

Zafar Ansari did the damage for the hosts, claiming figures of six for 36 as Notts slipped from 119 for two towards their eventual total.

Brendan Taylor made 68 and Jake Libby scored 33 but they both fell to Ansari after putting on 90 together for the third wicket.

Nottinghamshire Assistant Manager Wayne Noon said their was disappointment amongst the ranks after the quick wickets during the afternoon session.

“To lose eight wickets from two o’clock and be chatting about at three o’clock is just awful,” he said.

“In the first innings we lost eight wickets in a session, which was bad enough – but to lose them in an hour on that pitch.

“We’ve seen a lot bigger spinning pitches at The Oval over the years than this one, so it’s very disappointing.”

Surrey declared their second innings closed on their overnight total of 244 for five, leaving Steven Davies unbeaten on 45.

A solid platform was needed but Notts lost Steven Mullaney in the fourth over of the chase, bowled by Ravi Rampaul for five; the ball straightened and clipped off a bail.

Michael Lumb then departed for 11, caught at slip by Gary Wilson in Gareth Batty’s first over of the day.

From 29 for two an uphill task faced the visitors but Jake Libby batted throughout the morning session for 29 and allowed Taylor to take the lead role in their third wicket stand.

Taylor was innovative and forceful, reverse-sweeping Batty for an impressive early boundary and then lofting the same bowler high into the OCS Stand for six.

In the final over of the morning the former Zimbabwe captain reached his 50, getting there from 52 balls, with eight fours to add to his maximum.

The afternoon began with Notts needing 284 more but things soon started to unravel.

Libby was dropped on 31, hoisting Ansari out on the off side – but receiving a welcome hand of fortune as Tom Curran failed to catch the swirling ball.

The batsmen ran two but there was no reprieve as Libby hit his next ball straight to Rampaul at point.

Riki Wessels edged behind next ball, leaving Samit Patel to survive the hat-trick delivery.

Ansari went on to claim four wickets within the space of 13 deliveries when he had Patel taken at extra cover and Taylor stumped by Foakes.

The quick Stuart Meaker had Dan Christian caught down the leg side for 11 and Brett Hutton caught by Curran for eight, leaving Ansari to administer the final blows.

Jake Ball was adjudged lbw for one and Harry Gurney completed a pair with a drive to mid-off.

Notts are next in championship action on Sunday (26 June 2016) when they face Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

 

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