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County Championship Division One: Notts sneak to win over Surrey

Notts win by three wickets chasing down 169 on final day

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 13:  Jake Ball (L)  of Nottinghamshire, who scored the winning runs celebrates with team mate Brett Hutton during the Specsaver
Image: Jake Ball (L) and Brett Hutton (C) celebrate Nottinghamshire's win over Surrey

Nottinghamshire survived a late scare to beat Surrey by three wickets in their County Championship opener at Trent Bridge, chasing down 169 on the final day.

Notts looked to be cruising to a comfortable win as Steven Mullaney (42) - who hit 113 in the first innings - and Greg Smith (54) put on 72 for the first wicket before the former fell lbw to Ravi Rampaul (3-57).

That was the first of five wickets to fall for 28 runs as the hosts stuttered their way to tea - Tom Curran taking 4-58, including the strikes of Michael Lumb and Brendan Taylor in the same over.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 13:  Tom Curran of Surrey celebrates after taking the wicket of Brendan Taylor
Image: Tom Curran celebrates the wicket of Brendan Taylor as he takes two in one over to help Surrey's cause

With 59 needed in the final session, useful lower-order contributions from skipper Chris Read (22) and Brett Hutton (14no) ultimately saw Notts over the line despite the loss of a further two wickets.

Earlier in the day, Surrey's focus was fixed on fighting for a draw as centurion Arun Harinath, and Sam Curran, added a further 44 runs to their overnight score of 297-5 before the sixth wicket fell.

It was Curran who departed, lbw to Jake Ball, who also trapped Gareth Batty in-front to finish with impressive figures of 5-98.

Harinath was the seventh wicket to fall, finally dismissed for 137 by Australian Jackson Bird (1-63), while Hutton (2-76) wrapped up Surrey's innings shortly before lunch, resulting in the thrilling run-chase for the rest of the afternoon.

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Ian Bell scored 174, adding 44 to his overnight score, as Warwickshire and Hampshire played out a draw on the final day of their game at the Ageas Bowl.

Ian Bell, Warwickshire
Image: Ian Bell scored 174 for Warwickshire which could possibly force him back into England contention

Warwickshire were eventually dismissed for 360 just before lunch, earning a 158-run first-innings lead over their hosts, before reducing them to 76-4 in their second dig, sparking hopes of forcing an unlikely victory.

But 22 from Sean Ervine and an unbroken 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Liam Dawson (50no) and Adam Wheater (32no) saw Hampshire earn a slim lead.

The players shook hands with just over five overs to play once Dawson reached his half century, Warwickshire earning seven points for their efforts, Hampshire four.

Durham's match against Somerset at Emirates Riverside was abandoned shortly after 11am with no play possible over the last two days.

Durham's Keaton Jennings bats against Somerset in the County Championship
Image: Durham's Keaton Jennings scored two hundreds in two days against Somerset

It was tough on Durham, in a dominant position at 223-4 in their second innings, leading by 300, when the weather intervened.

Opener Keaton Jennings cracked two hundreds in his two innings over the first two days, while new-ball pair Graeme Onions (4-62) and Chris Rushworth (3-70) also impressed.

Durham take 10 points, while Somerset escape with eight, and their new captain, Chris Rogers, who scored 23 before being run out, admitted: "We didn't quite get it right here, but the bowlers will improve.

TAUNTON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 08: Chris Rogers, Four Day Captain of Somerset looks on during the Somerset CCC Photocall at the County Ground on April 8,
Image: Somerset captain Chris Rogers says his side will improved after Durham draw

"We also found it hard with the bat. We kept losing wickets in groups and didn't build partnerships, but what I like about this group is that they can all contribute.

"I have loved being back here. To be up against Onions and Rushworth at the start of the season in Durham is as challenging as it's going to get."

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