On a flat deck, Nottinghamshire resumed their first innings 442/6 in the clash between the two bottom-placed teams in Division One of the County Championship.
It took just over an hour for Warwickshire to dismiss the four remaining wickets in the morning session, as Notts’ tail attempted to capitalise on the paceless pitch, however struggled.
Firstly, Henry Brookes got the wicket of Ravi Ashwin, who edged on 38, before OHD dismissed Luke Fletcher for 10, who picked out gully in the field.
Academy graduate, George Garrett then secured the final two wickets, trapping Paul Coughlin LBW on 49, and getting Zak Chappell to edge to second slip for 20, reducing Notts to all out for 498. Their first innings total was only one short of their season’s best total of 499, however there is little reward for the hosts as they have already been relegated from the top flight.
Warwickshire openers, Dom Sibley and Will Rhodes made their way out to the middle for a short spell before Lunch and they reached 24 without loss at the end of the morning session. They continued that resilient opening partnership that has served them well throughout the season, until Coughlin made an important breakthrough with their partnership on 77, trapping Rhodes lbw for 36.
Rob Yates, another academy graduate and who missed the previous game with an illness, made 23 before being dimissed by Ashwin from a leading edge. These wickets didn’t halt Sibley though, as he made his half-century from 83 balls, smashing Chappell for 3 fours in one over to pass the milestone.
He and Sam Hain took advantage of a deck not offering much for the bowlers, as they posted their 100 partnership from 189 balls, playing some lovely shots under some September sun.
Sibley then went onto make his fourth County Championship ton this season, from 198 balls and including 15 fours. The 100 brought his tally of Championship runs to 1,100 for the season and makes him the leading run-scorer for Division One.
Hain was letting Sibley have all the glory, as he passed his half-century from 112 balls. Their partnership continued to prosper towards the end of the day.
At the conclusion of Day two, the partnership was at 143, as Nottinghamshire didn’t manage to make the breakthrough in the evening session.
It was a day that always felt to be a batsman’s day, due to the flatness of the pitch, and Sibley and Hain ensured that Warwickshire have every chance to match Notts’ first innings total, finishing on 264/2.
