Wagh century puts Notts back on top

Nottinghamshire's Mark Wagh turns into the leg side during his century against his former side at Edgbaston today

A century by Mark Wagh in his first LV= County Championship meeting with former county Warwickshire put Nottinghamshire back on top of Division One after a rain-affected draw at Edgbaston.

Temporarily unseated following Durham’s win against Hampshire on Monday, they were close to maximum bonus points in the match on reaching 376 for six when bad light halted their reply to the home side’s 402 for nine.

Wagh left at the end of the 2006 season and became Nottinghamshire’s leading scorer in Championship cricket in each of his first two summers at Trent Bridge.

Given that he scored 16 first-class centuries in nine years with Warwickshire, it was no surprise to anyone that he batted so well – or with such determination – on his return to Birmingham.

His first 50, compiled from only 56 balls, put Nottinghamshire back on track after losing three wickets for 68. If Bilal Shafayat (20) was unfortunate to be gloved by a lifter from Jimmy Anyon, there was an element of self-destruction in the other dismissals.

Will Jefferson (21) top-edged a slog-sweep off Jeetan Patel from the last ball before lunch and Samit Patel was caught behind from an ugly swipe across the line in Chris Woakes’ first over after the interval.

Youngster Chris Woakes shells Wagh

Wagh, driving with typical style and fluency, then restored order with Adam Voges in a fourth-wicket partnership of 148 from 31 overs.

Voges maintained his record this season of making a half-century in every championship innings - this was his fifth score of 50 or more – but the Australian has still to reach three figures since joining Nottinghamshire last year.

His frustration is not confined to this country because he has now played 55 first-class innings since making his last hundred for Western Australia against Tasmania at Hobart in December 2007.

Voges again looked in good form, hitting 14 fours and a six in his 76 from 106 balls, until he was out, caught by wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose as he stepped back to cut Patel.

Ali Brown weighed in with 64 from 67 balls in a stand of 124 in 20 overs before running himself out and Wagh finally departed for 147, giving Ambrose his fourth catch when attempting to pull Neil Carter.

Wagh’s dismissal after taking 19 fours and three sixes from 160 deliveries did not slow down Nottinghamshire’s charge towards their 400 target.

However, with more than seven overs to be bowled, the umpires George Sharp and Peter Willey decided the light was unplayable. Mark Ealham had just cut Anyon for six but then luckily edged a four in a fending off a short ball.