Lancashire 113 & 233 Notts 202 & 147-3: Voges sees off Lancashire in rapid fashion

Much as Nottinghamshire had cause to feel pleased with themselves after seeing off Lancashire in under seven sessions, it would have been difficult even for them not to have some sympathy for the plight of their opponents.

Beset by a freakish run of injuries, Lancashire began the match with five front-line bowlers unfit and another, James Anderson, away with England. When Dominic Cork broke down with back spasms overnight, the task of taking nine wickets while denying the home side the 112 more runs they needed to win looked as good as impossible.

Nottinghamshire would argue that with Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad also serving the national interest, they were hardly at full strength, but Charlie Shreck and Darren Pattinson had offered significantly more effective back-up.

It was left to Saj Mahmood and the all-rounder Steven Croft to try to bring about a different outcome. Mahmood raised Lancastrian hopes momentarily by taking wickets with the first and sixth balls of yesterday's play but once Adam Voges found some rhythm with the bat, the contest reached a swift conclusion, all over by 12.22pm.

Voges, the Western Australian batsman hired when David Hussey told Nottinghamshire he was joining the Indian Premier League, struck 69 off 60 balls with 14 fours that demonstrated strength on both sides of the wicket.

"It was an exceptional innings that took the game away from Lancashire," his captain, Chris Read, said. Mark Wagh followed Voges' aggressive example in an unbroken partnership of 121, the biggest of the match.

The result consolidates Nottinghamshire's position as early-season pacesetters in the Championship, although Lancashire clearly felt they rode their luck with the pitch, which was the subject of scrutiny by pitch liaison officer Tony Pigott after a 20-wicket opening day, but escaped censure.