Alex Hales weathers Lancashire's storm as Nottinghamshire fight back

Nottinghamshire showed the resilience of potential champions to find a way back into this match despite conditions in which Lancashire would have hoped to make much more progress. Their seamers, led by the low-profile New Zealander Andre Adams, polished off the remaining four Lancashire wickets in the space of 14 balls, then Alex Hales showed why he is so highly rated in these parts and beyond with an unbeaten 87. Hales, a tall 21-year-old who was selected for the England performance programme last winter but has been frustrated by his own inconsistency this season, cheerfully confessed to riding his luck as the ball continued to dart about. He was dropped in successive overs at second slip on 78 and 81, but drove handsomely through the covers, and generally left the moving ball well. Notts had slipped to 37 for three a few overs before lunch. Glen Chapple had Matthew Wood caught behind in his opening over, Mark Wagh edged Sajid Mahmood to second slip, and a brief flurry from Samit Patelwhich included flicking Chapple effortlessly off his hip for six was ended by a cracker from Kyle Hogg that lifted and left him. But Ali Brown joined Hales to counter-attack selectively in a fourth-wicket stand of 57, and after Brown had gone lbw to Mahmood for 28 from 32 balls, Chris Read produced another of the restorative captain's innings in which he has specialised over the last couple of years. Mahmood has been comfortably the pick of the Lancashire attack and could easily have had five wickets. But even he conceded too many boundaries, and the mood in the visiting dressing room when the rain arrived just before tea was that a chance had been missed in a game they must win to remain in the Championship race. In contrast, Hales reflected Nottinghamshire's satisfaction that after starting this match four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand on Yorkshire and Somerset, their two nearest rivals, a round of rain-affected draws would be a highly acceptable outcome, especially after Lancashire had reached 280 for two on the opening day. Adams took five of the last six wickets that tumbled for 17 to end with six for 79, his best figures in four summers with Notts taking him past 50 Championship wickets for the first time. He may not come with the international pedigree of the other Kiwis who have served the county with such distinction such as Chris Cairns, Stephen Fleming and Sir Richard Hadlee, but he has turned out to be a very handy recruit.