What could be more English than the sound of leather crashing against willow as the sun beams down on the pristine white uniforms and lush, freshly mowed grass?
Well, rain, of course, but thankfully we were blessed with a wonderful sunny day for the opening of the 2025 County Championship at Trent Bridge as Nottinghamshire faced off against Durham.
Since dropping to four days a week at work, I have looked to fill my newly found extra free time with things work simply doesn't allow. This could not have been timed better as my Easter break started at lunchtime on Thursday so it was a perfect way to start the holidays.
After a short train ride to Nottingham and a walk to the world-famous Trent Bridge, taking in the sights of Notts County's Meadow Lane and the home of the two-time European champions, The City Ground, I took my seat in the sun ready for the action to begin.
Durham lost the toss and was put into bat by Notts who gave a debut to new signing Fergus O'Neill after the Australian bowler signed on for the first month of the County season. The current Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year opened the bowling alongside Dillon Pennington.
The Aussie had gone for 12 runs in his first two overs, a statistic that led me to note, 'O'Neill's pace has also been his downfall' as the ball ricocheted to the boundary on a couple of occasions.
No sooner had a written the note did O'Neill strike, getting opener Ben McKinney caught behind by Joe Clake for five. Moments later, he was at it again when he dismissed Emilio Gay for a duck to leave the score 24-2.
The other opener Alex Lees made a far more positive start and was, at one point, on 16 from 16 deliveries and was to be joined by Netherlands international Colin Ackerman.
Tongue Gets A Lashing From Lees
A change of bowling saw England international Josh Tongue replace Pennington who had bowled well for no reward. His first two balls were cracked to the boundary by Lees who brought up his 11,000 run in first-class cricket in the process.
At the end of the 13th over, Durham was 51/2 as the sun continued to bathe the larger-than-I-expected crowd in early spring warmth and my mind couldn't have been further from work (aside from the Grand National sweepstake!).
Colin Ackerman? Colin W-ackerman More Like!
Netherlands cap Ackerman and Lees passed a 50 partnership when the former clubbed Lyndon James for six. Lees would complete his 50 in the 22nd over from just 60 balls with the score at 96/2. The partnership would reach 78 before Lees was dismissed for 52 after being caught by O'Neill off the bowling of Fahran Ahmed, leaving the score 102/3.
Ackerman looked to have settled quickly and was on 41 from 70 deliveries by the time lunch was taken with his new partner Ollie Robinson sitting on six from 20.
A 'Quick' Lunchtime Pitstop
Where better to spend a 40-minute break in play than the 'World Renowned' Trent Bridge Inn adjoined to the cricket ground?
Unfortunately, the 40 minutes quickly evaporated and by the time I returned to the cricket Durham had moved on to 144/4 with Ollie Robinson out for 16 and Ackerman making it to his 50. Jake Tongue had Robinson licked for his first wicket of the match.
Tan-tastic Weather
By this point, the shorts were rolled up in the hope of getting an early tan as Ackerman continued his impressive run scoring, moving into the 60s with his partner Will Rhodes still finding his rhythm.
Rhodes' rhythm was interrupted when he was caught well by Clarke off the bowling of O'Neill for the Aussie's third scalp. At the fall of his wicket, Durham was 171/5 in the 44th over.
Notts thought they had their main target in the 51st over as the ball clipped Ackerman's wickets only for the bails to remain firmly attached.
My Train Is Nearing The Station
Duty at home calls so the Tea interval was always going to be my cut-off point but the final 40 or so minutes saw Ackerman continue his ways and Graham Clark make a start to an innings that would eventually end on 45.
Ackerman was part of another 50 partnership in the 56th over with the number four batsman into his 80s. He would move on to 95 with a lovely pull shot to take Durham to 229/5.
At the end of the 63rd over, my time was up and I packed my bag to leave. Thankfully, Colin W-ackerman decided to bring his hundred up with the first ball of the next over meaning that was the last action I saw.
My day finished at the 63.1 over mark with Ackerman not out on 100 and Clark proving to be a more than adequate partner on 34 to give Durham a total of 241/5.
Quotes From Around The Ground
Cricket is a brilliant sport for random quotes and calls of encouragement and Friday was no different. Here are just a few from Trent Bridge.
'One brings two fellas.' As Notts began to grow frustrated during one of the 50 partnerships.
'Yes, Fergus!' As O'Neill goes for a boundary.
'Durham are dark horses for the league.' A couple of chaps sat behind me.
'It smells like fertiliser' The same two blokes I think, though I am not sure what they were talking about!
'Ackerman's flying. He looks solid and has glued his bails on!' Expert punditry on the Durham batsman's performance.
'Ooof!' Me, everytime the ball was walloped to the boundary.
Back Home
That was my first taste of County Championship cricket and a thoroughly enjoyable one. The weather brought a decent crowd as the players served up some more than decent action. Fergus O'Neill would end the innings with five wickets and Ackerman's display was an obvious highlight. It was a lovely, relaxed way to start my Easter break and I would definitely do it again.
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