Hampshire 199-9 v Nottinghamshire: Pattinson keeps Notts grinding towards the title

(PA)

For a match of such significance, the essence of cricket played here yesterday seemed rather low key. Yet that would not have bothered Nottinghamshire one tiny bit as they took another measured stride towards a second County Championship title in four years. On a painfully slow paced, low bouncing pitch, patience and attrition were the traits needed and the home side's bowling attack, led by the admirable Darren Pattinson, showed such characteristics in abundance as they reduced Hampshire to 199 for 9.

It added a vital three points to the Championship leaders tally but Chris Read's team will need to wait a couple more days before they can begin celebrating. The style and quality of cricket played will continue to be hampered by the composition of the wicket and Nottinghamshire know they will need to bat well today on a difficult track if they are to drive home their advantage.

For the opening hour of the day batting appeared a pleasurable past-time, and the ease with which Michael Carberry and Michael Brown played the new ball would have led to Read questioning his decision to bowl first. The Notts captain was uncertain what to do at the toss, initially stating, albeit briefly, that he wanted to bat first.

Read's slip of the tongue may have had something to do with the surprise appearance of Imran Tahir, Hampshire's overseas player. At the conclusion of Hampshire's previous Championship match against Surrey it was reported that Tahir would be returning to South Africa to play for the Titans. Cunningly, the leg-spinner never left England.

Read's mood began to improve in the 16th over of the day when Brown nibbled at a short of a length ball from Mark Ealham and edged a catch through to him. Michael Lumb soon followed, padding up to a straight ball from Andre Adams. Two further wickets, those of Chris Benham, trapped plumb in front of Adams, and Carberry, caught brilliantly by Read diving full length to his left, ensured the morning was Nottinghamshire's.

Pattinson gained his reward after the interval when he dismissed Sean Ervine and Liam Dawson in the space of three balls. Pattinson's discipline deprived Ervine of scoring options. In an attempt to break the deadlock he tried to pull the bowler off his length but only succeeded in dragging the ball on to his stumps. Dawson missed a straight ball.

Nic Pothas and Dimitri Mascarenhas, the Hampshire captain, frustrated their opponents for 29 overs, adding 55 runs, before Pattinson struck again. Pothas was the man to go under edging a drive on to his stumps. Charlie Shreck claimed two late wickets with the second new ball, the dismissal of Mascarenhas earning Notts their third bonus point.

When bad light brought an end to proceedings Pattinson and Shreck walked off reflecting on another successful day's work. Despite the pair's 104 Championship wickets this season, Nottinghamshire would probably be champions already had Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad not spent most of the summer on England duty.