TRENT BRIDGE — Nottinghamshire’s Ben Slater fell agonizingly short of a century, dismissed for 96, as Yorkshire claimed the upper hand on an evenly contested opening day against the County Championship Division One leaders at Trent Bridge.
Slater’s composed knock anchored Nottinghamshire’s innings, but Yorkshire’s disciplined bowling attack ensured the hosts were restricted to 283 all out. The visitors then reached 32 without loss at stumps, trailing by 251 runs, setting up an intriguing second day. "It was a hard-fought day, and we’re pretty happy with how it’s balanced," said Yorkshire’s Jordan Thompson, who took 3-52.
Slater’s near-miss and Nottinghamshire’s stuttering start
Slater, who had looked set for his first hundred of the season, was caught behind off Thompson just four runs shy of the milestone. His dismissal triggered a collapse, with Nottinghamshire losing their last five wickets for just 43 runs. "Ben played superbly, but we let it slip a bit at the end," admitted Nottinghamshire captain Haseeb Hameed.
Earlier, Nottinghamshire had struggled to build momentum after electing to bat. Openers Slater and Hameed (28) put on 56 for the first wicket, but Yorkshire struck at regular intervals:
- Joe Clarke (22) edged behind off Ben Coad
- Lyndon James (19) fell lbw to Thompson
- Matt Montgomery (31) was bowled by a sharp inswinger from Matthew Fisher
Yorkshire’s disciplined bowling effort
Yorkshire’s seamers shared the wickets, with Fisher (2-47), Coad (2-53), and Thompson (3-52) all contributing. Spinner Dan Moriarty also chipped in with 2-50, including the crucial scalp of Slater. "We stuck to our plans, and the pitch offered a bit for everyone," said Fisher.
Key moments that tilted the day
- Slater’s dismissal: His departure at 240-5 exposed Nottinghamshire’s lower order.
- Fisher’s double strike: Removed Montgomery and Tom Moores (9) in quick succession.
- Moriarty’s late breakthroughs: Cleaned up the tail with Dillon Pennington (14) and Brett Hutton (0).
Yorkshire’s solid reply
Openers Finlay Bean (18*) and Adam Lyth (12*) navigated a tricky 10-over spell before stumps, leaving Yorkshire well-placed to build a strong response. Nottinghamshire’s bowlers, led by Hutton and Dane Paterson, found little movement under fading light. "We’ve got to come back strong tomorrow and get early wickets," said Hameed.
What to expect on Day Two
With the pitch expected to quicken up, Yorkshire will aim to capitalize on their strong start. Nottinghamshire, meanwhile, need early breakthroughs to stay in contention. Key battles to watch:
- Bean vs. Paterson: The young left-hander has looked solid, but Paterson’s accuracy could test him.
- Lyth’s fluency: The veteran has started cautiously but could accelerate if set.
- Notts’ spinners: If the surface starts turning, Liam Patterson-White could play a big role.
Verdict: Yorkshire edged the day, but Nottinghamshire’s first-innings total keeps them in the game. Slater’s knock was the highlight, but his side will rue the late collapse. "It’s evenly poised," said Thompson. "Whoever wins the first session tomorrow takes control."
With both teams eyeing crucial points in the title race, Day Two promises another gripping contest. Yorkshire’s openers hold the key, while Nottinghamshire’s bowlers must strike early to prevent the visitors from building a substantial lead.
Final thought: While Nottinghamshire remain slight favorites as Division One leaders, Yorkshire’s disciplined performance has set up a fascinating battle. As Slater reflected, "It’s a long game, and we’ve got to fight hard tomorrow to get back on top."