Pavilionaire
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 31,262
I think that will be extremely unlikely.
Notts can't do worse than third place but have to win to take second. Middlesex cannot win their match as they're over 300 behind at the halfway stage and they'll probably lose it. Therefore, Notts have absolutely nothing to lose by declaring and trying for a result.
However, they'll know Hampshire will do anything to try to win as a draw's no good to them, so the skill will be in setting a target that makes them take risks. Ordinarily they might look to bat all day today and for their first hour tomorrow, leaving them 400 off 75 but, in the circumstances, this might be a tad generous because the asking rate will be 5.33 per over off 75 overs, so tough but not impossible.
I would have though that 450 off 60 overs might be the call, but it's not likely Notts will post a second innings score of 400+ anyway. The declaration's unlikely unless the weather intervenes.
49/2
