Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire: Mullaney falls short of ton

Steven Mullaney fell six runs short of a first Championship ton of the season as Nottinghamshire had the better of day three against Warwickshire.

Mullaney, who had four half-centuries in nine previous innings, hit four sixes in making 94 off 119 balls.

Neil Edwards (53) and Paul Franks (76 not out) also contributed, while Chris Read (36) passed 1,000 first-class runs this season.

Jeetan Patel took 4-127 as Notts closed on 444-8, a lead of 395 runs.

Riki Wessells, who passed 6,000 career first-class runs, batted with purpose in the first session and his 38 came off only 32 balls and included a six and five fours.

Teenage opener Sam Kelsall made 35 on his Championship debut after his third-ball duck in the first innings.

Franks has so far put on 56 for the ninth wicket with Luke Fletcher (27 not out).

VIEWS FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX

BBC WM's Mike Taylor:

"Only twice have Warwickshire ever successfully chased more runs than they would have to tomorrow, even if Notts add no more.

"Thursday was a harder day for the bowlers than they would have liked, but the spinners Patel and Blackwell bowled more than half the overs between them, so the absence of Keith Barker with a minor ankle injury wasn't felt as keenly as it might have been.

"Most of the Notts' batsmen got started and Steven Mullaney and Paul Franks played splendidly - Mullaney missing out on a century by misjudging the big hit that would have brought up three figures.

"Nottinghamshire supporters might not agree, but it would be an appropriate send-off for the famous 1970's scoreboard at the Radcliffe Road End of the ground, which sees one final day of cricket tomorrow before demolition, if it recorded a giant run-chase on its last engagement."