Taylor makes Notts debut

By The NewsDay | Apr. 9, 2015 | 3 Min read

Nottinghamshire — Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Brendan Taylor on Tuesday made his Nottinghamshire debut as they hosted Loughborough MCCU at Trent Bridge.

Notts confirmed that Taylor has signed a three-year deal at the club after Steven Mullaney’s 118 helped them post 308.

The visitors were 36 for one in reply after Harry Gurney bowled Mark Best.

Taylor revealed after the World Cup, when he was selected as 12th man in the Team of the Tournament, that he was retiring from international cricket to take up a county deal.

Notts were confirmed as his chosen destination last month and the 29-year-old revealed his delight at finalising the move.

“There was was a little bit of interest, but Notts being a big successful side at a Test ground, it made a lot of sense to be part of this,” he told the club’s website.

“Chatting to a lot of people they said you can’t go wrong with Notts. It’s a big thing to be considered by them and it would have been silly not to take it.

“It’s obviously a big club and it’s a great feeling for them to accept me. I’m very proud of that and they’ve made me feel very welcome, very easily, straight away.

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“It’s a positive move to be at Trent Bridge and I’m only looking forward, not back. Hopefully I can build a successful career and relationship with everyone here.”

Durham opener Keaton Jennings registered his highest first-class score as he and Scott Borthwick hit centuries on the opening day of their clash with Durham MCCU.

Jennings batted through the innings to finish unbeaten on 177 and eclipse his previous best of 127, set against Sussex two summers ago.

The tall left-hander struggled for consistency last summer, when he played all 16 LV County Championship games for an average of 25.66, but the 22-year-old has begun the new season on the front foot as he and Borthwick shared a fluent 186-run second-wicket stand.

Borthwick hit 104, before he was one of Dimitri Ratnayake’s three wickets, and with Calum MacLeod and Paul Collingwood posting half-centuries Durham ran up 448 for four declared.

Durham MCCU’s openers survived a tricky 45-minute spell to be 39 without loss at the close.

Sixteen wickets fell in Oxford as Middlesex endured a mixed opening day as they finished it 26 runs adrift with four wickets in hand.

England quick Steven Finn and Tim Murtagh claimed three wickets each as Oxford MCCU, who lost by an innings to newly-promoted Worcestershire last week, were bundled out for 124.

Former Zimbabwe Under-19s left-hander Malcolm Lake provided the only score of note with 66.

Middlesex’s reply had begun well as openers Sam Robson and Nick Gubbins shared a 54-run stand, only for Middlesex to lose six for 37 at the end of the day.

Leicestershire’s new Australian skipper Mark Cosgrove blasted 92 from 90 balls to steer his side away from trouble against Cambridge MCCU at Fenner’s.

The Foxes had been 22 for three, and then 129 for six, but after Cosgrove took up the attack tailender Jigar Naik added 73 to inflate the total to 303. New-ball bowler Ben Raine then grabbed a coupe of wickets as the hosts slipped to 64 for four at the close.

Defending county champions Yorkshire enjoyed a solid return to Headingley for the first time this season as they posted 329 for nine against Leeds/Bradford MCCU.

Rich Pyrah led the way with 84 while Alex Lees and Andy Hodd added half-centuries. Former Yorkshire Second XI left-armer Alex Lilley took four for 65. Leeds/Bradford MCCU were 46 for none at stumps.

Runs continued to come at the top of the order at Bristol where opener Will Tavare top scored with 93 in Gloucestershire’s 377 for six declared.

Tavare shared a 94-run opening stand with Chris Dent while new skipper Geraint Jones was unbeaten on 72 when he called the innings off.

Tavare’s good day then continued as he held on when Jake George offered a chance, off James Fuller, as Cardiff MCCU reached 18 for one from 10 overs. — ecb