Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nottinghamshire 409; Essex 153 and 114-1
WERE it not for the fact that he is doing his level best to provoke a recession in the hairdressing industry, Chris Lewis could be likened to the little girl with the curl. Yesterday, he was positively horrid to Essex.
So often has he flattered to deceive, it might have made the watching Keith Fletcher's life easier had Lewis discovered another affliction unknown to the medical profession. Instead, the England team manager received a sharp dig in the ribs courtesy of an incisive, rapid burst that greased his former county's ignominious slide towards the follow-on.
Infuriating though Lewis can be, there are days when performance matches potential and self- belief. This, undoubtedly, was one of those. With the first ball after lunch, he ripped through John Stephenson's defences to hit the off stump. In his following over, he removed Jonathan Lewis, in the next Nasser Hussain, both leg before. Each was beaten for pace, no mean feat on a pitch offering occasional turn but scant else to concern the sensible bat.
Tim Robinson had added just four to his overnight 178 before a mistimed pull off Darren Cousins looped to mid-on in the third over of the morning, leaving Wayne Noon to steer the visitors past 400. Yet in all other respects, the much- maligned Nottinghamshire captain had an inspired day.
Brave enough to introduce Andy Afford in the sixth over of the Essex reply, he saw the enterprising left-arm spinner pick up three wickets in the space of five overs, including the holy grail, Graham Gooch, caught behind cutting.
When Afford tired, the return of the in-form Greg Mike reaped immediate profit, Peter Such carving to backward point in his first over. Mike Field-Buss, formerly of this parish, then drew blood in his first over, Ronnie Irani swiping a briskish off-break to the midwicket boundary, terminating a spirited knock that emphasised what a shrewd acquisition the former Lancashire all-rounder is proving to be.
The innocence of the surface was duly borne out when Essex went in again, Gooch surging to his 50 off 63 balls. Robinson then pulled his masterstroke, summoning Jimmy Adams's gentle left-arm spin for Gooch to pop his third delivery to silly point. Ilford's finest out twice in one day in his own backyard? Whatever next?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments