Jon Culley at Nottinghamshire 125-3 v Gloucestershire

Watching cricket from the roof of the Radcliffe Road stand at Trent Bridge is always an experience worth sampling, for a bird’s eye perspective on the play and a commanding view over the West Bridgford rooftops, towards Wilford Hill beyond the pavilion. But when the smell of sun cream greets you as you emerge from the stairwell you know it is a particularly good day to be settling down among the most opinionated of the Notts spectators. The general view was that it was good morning for batting and that Gloucestershire’s decision to forego the toss and bowl was an odd one, especially in the absence of both their leading wicket-takers through injury. Yet their bowlers, with Matt Taylor and Keiran Noema-Barnett in for Liam Norwell and David Payne, have picked up a point to justify their captain’s faith. Steven Mullaney rather gave away his wicket but the others have been earned, the latest prolonging Samit Patel’s wait for a first big Championship score in his benefit season. Chetashwar Pujara has played some lovely shots but even he has had some uncomfortable moments. An even contest thus far.