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Troughton and Clarke prosper at Edgbaston

Nottinghamshire 86 for 1 v Warwickshire 574 for 7 dec
Scorecard

Jim Troughton ended his two-year century drought and Rikki Clarke flayed a toiling Nottinghamshire attack as Warwickshire dominated the second day of their County Championship match at Edgbaston.

Troughton made a superb 151, Clarke 126 from only 101 balls and Ian Westwood took his overnight 144 to 171 to help Warwickshire to 574 for seven declared, their highest ever total against Nottinghamshire. It was also the highest total conceded by Nottinghamshire this season but Warwickshire collected only three batting points as they pottered to 338 for five, 12 runs short of the fourth point, in 110 overs.

But Troughton and Clarke cut loose in a destructive sixth-wicket stand of 203 in 30 overs which demoralised Nottinghamshire's weary attack. Troughton, who had managed only three fifties in his previous 54 championship innings, played with composure to reach his first century since August 2009 with 13 fours from 199 balls. His second 50 came from just 69 balls.

Clarke, who recently rejected a move to Sussex, was given licence to play his shots to set up the declaration and he turned a 44-ball 50 into a 90-ball century which included two straight sixes off Graeme White. The slow left-armer absorbed more heavy punishment when Clarke off drove then pulled him for further sixes but gained a measure of revenge when the former England all-rounder picked out deep midwicket.

White also eventually snared Troughton, who was bowled trying to force him through the off side, but not before the former England one-day international left-hander had stroked 19 fours in his 259-ball innings. Westwood had earlier perished in the pursuit of quick runs when he hooked Luke Fletcher into the hands of Paul Franks at long leg. Westwood batted six and a quarter hours for his 171 and he shared a fourth-wicket stand of 177 in 49 overs with Troughton.

Tim Ambrose was taken at first slip driving at Franks but Nottinghamshire's hopes of restricting Warwickshire to under 400 disappeared during the onslaught from Troughton and Clarke. Nottinghamshire might have expected Warwickshire to declare when Clarke and Troughton were dismissed in successive overs from White but Troughton increased their frustration by allowing Chris Woakes and Chris Metters to bat on for a further three overs before he called them in.

Nottinghamshire had to make 425 just to avoid the follow on but they started well with Alex Hales and Karl Turner putting on 54 before Turner was taken by Varun Chopra at first slip driving at Woakes. The pitch still appeared to be full of runs and Hales completed a fluent half century from 71 balls to steer Nottinghamshire to 86 for 1.

Notts 3rd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st29AD HalesK Turner
2nd71AD HalesDM Bravo
3rd8MH WesselsAD Hales
4th7SJ MullaneyAD Hales
5th7GG WhiteAD Hales
6th1CMW ReadAD Hales
7th18PJ FranksAD Hales
8th7AR AdamsAD Hales
9th30AD HalesDJ Pattinson
10th44AD HalesLJ Fletcher