(Photo: Getty Images)
By Matt Davies
Nottinghamshire tightened their grip on top spot in Division Two after thrashing Leicestershire.
The gulf between the sides was such that the result represented Notts’ biggest innings win since 1932. It was Leicestershire’s heaviest defeat since that same year.
Notts were boosted by having current internationals James Pattinson, Jake Ball and Stuart Broad in their attack.
Stalwart Luke Fletcher was the fourth piece of the quartet and he says it is the best attack he has ever played in.
“It was a great wicket to bowl on. It’s a freakish attack, the best one I’ve played in,” he said.
“I’ve played alongside some good bowlers here like Ryan Sidebottom and Andre Adams. This attack is just outstanding.
“It’s great to be involved in. This was a very important game for us. We see home games as ones we need to win on our own surface.”
Notts took advantage of being asked to bat first, making 548-9 before declaring as Samit Patel hit back-to-back double hundreds for the club.
His 247 was supported by 61 from Brendan Taylor in his first appearance of the season and 50 not out for Stuart Broad. Dieter Klein took 6-142.
Leicestershire were twice dismissed for 134 as Pattinson took eight wickets in the match. They also lost Ben Raine to injury 3.2 overs into his spell in the first morning.
“We’re not playing fantastic cricket at the moment, so we can’t just brush this under the carpet,” said skipper Mark Cosgrove.
“We have to look into each other’s games and see where we can improve and we need to do it quickly. The ability is there but at the moment we aren’t doing the right things on and off the field.
“It obviously wasn’t our best game all-around but there are some positives to take. Dieter (Klein) bowled fantastically to take a six-for and the guys bowled really well to keep them to three-and-a-half an over on day one when we were a man down.”
