Peter Moores felt Nottinghamshire’s first innings batting performance was costly as his side fell to an eight-wicket defeat against Essex at Chelmsford.

Notts made only 187 after winning the toss and the Head Coach felt it should have been more.

“We’ll look back at that innings after Slater and Clarke had played well to set us up at 118 for two and from there I feel we missed out.

"Was it an easy pitch to bat on at any stage? No, not really but had we got 250 or 260 and also been able to wipe out their tail it could have been a different story.”

Notts still had hope going into the final day but Simon Harmer’s off-spin accounted for the last two recognised batsmen, Chris Nash and Tom Moores, on his way to a six-wicket haul.

“All credit to Essex,” said Moores. “I thought Harmer bowled beautifully in the second innings. He’s a very good bowler on a pitch that gave him a lot of assistance.”

The defeat leaves Notts without a win from their opening three championship matches, something the Head Coach accepts isn’t where his side wanted to be.

“There’s no place to hide. It’s a good division and we haven’t played well enough. In the last two games we haven’t got enough runs, so in some ways its nice that we’ve got another game coming up quickly against a confident Hampshire side.

“We’ve got to bring our ‘A’ game with us, against them, and get up and running.”

Moores pointed out that his side hadn’t had long to prepare fully for the match at Chelmsford.

“We had the semi-final two days before we started here, so by getting into the latter stages of the one-day competition we didn’t have the same four or five days of preparation that Essex had and it left people a little bit rusty, but there’s no excuses really.

"We’ll generally be better for the game, all the bowlers have had a good work out. Matt Carter’s had a decent bowl in a first class game, so we’ll go to Hampshire and the key for us is to move on pretty fast.”

Moores did comment on the performance of Luke Fletcher, who scored useful runs in both innings to back up bowling figures of five for 50.

“I think he’s kicked on over the last two years, he’s got better and better and he’s looked at all aspects of his game.

“His batting has got better and he’s added a couple of new skills to his bowling, which just makes him more effective.

“He’s moved from being just a traditional swing bowler to someone who can seam the ball and attack in different ways.

“So the five-fer is just reward for a senior player who is looking to get better every day and that sends a fantastic message for everyone else in the squad.”

James Pattinson was seen turning his arm over before the third day’s play at Chelmsford but Moores conceded that the Australian isn’t quite ready for a first team return.

“Jimmy is not a million miles off. I don’t think he’ll make it for the Isle of Wight. It was a small side strain and you’ve got to be careful with them. He’s come through a sort-of rehab and is now getting his bowling fitness back.

“He should be bowling fit in a week or so. We have a break after the Isle of Wight, so when we come back to cricket after then he’ll be back fully fit with us.”

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