It was another thrilling day of County Championship cricket on May 10, 2025, where bowlers showcased their skills alongside batsmen, thanks to the fine weather across the country. The standout performer was Mohammad Abbas, who made a spectacular debut for Nottinghamshire, taking 5 wickets for just 31 runs against his former team, Hampshire, propelling his new side into a commanding position.
The match at Trent Bridge saw 16 wickets tumble on the second day, with Nottinghamshire initially setting a strong foundation by scoring 333 runs in their first innings. Hampshire, however, struggled to respond, bowled out for just 196, largely due to Abbas's impressive bowling performance. The 35-year-old Pakistan seamer, who had previously taken 180 first-class wickets in four summers at the Utilita Bowl, made an immediate impact, dismissing Nick Gubbins for his first wicket in Nottinghamshire colors.
Hampshire's innings began poorly, losing their first two wickets with just 31 runs on the board. Abbas's early strikes included the dismissal of opener Mark Stoneman, caught and bowled by Brett Hutton, and Fletcha Middleton, who was caught behind off a sharply climbing delivery from Lyndon James. At one point, Hampshire found themselves in dire straits at 96 for 3, but Abbas quickly turned the tide, taking three wickets in as many overs to leave them reeling at 99 for 6.
Despite the collapse, Kyle Abbott provided some resistance for Hampshire, scoring a spirited 67 runs off just 36 balls, including three sixes. His efforts helped Hampshire recover from a precarious 106 for 7, as he added valuable runs with the lower order, forming partnerships of 42 for the eighth wicket with Liam Dawson and 30 for the ninth with Brad Wheal. Abbott's innings was crucial in avoiding the follow-on, but he was eventually dismissed by Farhan Ahmed, caught at long-on.
After taking a substantial lead, Nottinghamshire faced a challenging second innings, slipping to 59 for 5 at one point. Abbott's bowling prowess shone through as he dismissed both Nottinghamshire openers in his first four overs, leaving them in a precarious position. However, Jack Haynes and Liam Patterson-White forged a vital partnership of 87 runs, stabilizing the innings and guiding Nottinghamshire to a score of 171 for 6 at the end of the day.
As the sun set on day two, Nottinghamshire held a commanding lead of 308 runs over Hampshire, with Haynes remaining unbeaten on 60. The pitch had offered plenty of assistance to the bowlers, and with the match's dynamic shifting rapidly, it remains to be seen if Nottinghamshire can capitalize on their advantage to secure a victory.
In other matches across the County Championship, Yorkshire's George Hill also made headlines, taking 6 wickets for 51 runs against Essex, helping his team gain the upper hand. Meanwhile, Worcestershire's Tom Taylor was in fine form, claiming seven wickets in his side's match against Sussex. In Division Two, Glamorgan raised hopes for their first win of the season against Kent, while Lancashire looked favorites in a low-scoring encounter against Northamptonshire.
As the competition heats up, fans are eager to see how the teams will fare in the coming days. The action continues tomorrow, May 11, starting at 10:30 AM, with full coverage of day three expected to provide more thrilling moments and potential shifts in momentum across the matches.
