Ben Slater’s sublime ton keeps Nottinghamshire afloat, Abbas strikes back with 3/59

Nottinghamshire’s opener Ben Slater produced a commanding 116 off 171 balls*, helping his side recover to 214/3 against Somerset after being asked to follow on. Meanwhile, compatriot Mohammad Abbas stole the show with 3/59 during Somerset’s first innings, sparking early doubts about Notts’s position.

Despite conceding a deficit of 165 runs in the first innings (Somerset scored 379), Nottinghamshire leaned on Slater’s brilliance. He reached his century from 171 balls, featuring a solid 50-partnership with Haynes that steadied the ship.

Slater’s knock not only anchored the innings but also frustrated bowlers searching for wickets, helping Notts claw back into contention.

Mohammad Abbas emerged as a notable performer in Somerset’s innings, securing 3 crucial wickets for 59 runs across 27 overs. His disciplined spell helped break critical partnerships and kept Somerset from extending their advantage .

Abbas’s return adds balance to Notts’s bowling attack and hints at a promising season ahead.

Match situation & outlook

Metric	Figures
Somerset 1st innings	379 all out
Abbas’s bowling figures	27–10–59–3
Nottinghamshire (following on)	214/3 (Slater 116*)

With Slater unbeaten and Somerset’s dominance blunted, Nottinghamshire appeared firmly back in the contest.

• Day 3: Will Notts push to surpass Somerset’s total? Slater's continuation is vital.
   
• Bowling response: Abbas and fellow bowlers need late breakthroughs to swing the momentum.
   
• Scoring chase: Depending on Notts's total, Somerset may require fresh bowlers or pace-sensitive tactics.

Ben Slater’s century has reignited Nottinghamshire's hopes, while Mohammad Abbas’s disciplined bowling kept Somerset in check. As Slater leads the recovery, Abbas’s contribution could be the catalyst for an unexpected turnaround at Trent Bridge.