Gallian leads Notts run spree

MCC 168 and 24 for 1 (Cook 21*, Loudon 1*) need 471 runs to beat Nottinghamshire 191 and 471 for 5 (Gallian 171, Ealham 112*, Read 110*)
Scorecard

After two days of bowlers having it all their own way at Lord's the batsman took charge - and in some style. Jason Gallian eased his way to an impressive 171 and Chris Read also notched an accomplished century, but the memorable action came later as Mark Ealham blasted an astonishing 45-ball hundred.

Ealham laid down an early marker for fastest century of the season and in the process gave some severe punishment to Monty Panesar - taking him for 22 in one over - and Rikki Clarke. His unbeaten 112 took just 53 and contained 11 fours and eight sixes as he plundered MCC's attack to all corners.

However, Read will provide the major talking point by picking an opportune moment to strike form with the bat, following a scratchy effort in the first innings, especially with David Graveney in attendance. Steven Davies, MCC's wicketkeeper, has performed encouragingly in this match and the progress of England's keeping options is always followed with interest. Read scored a century on the A tour to West Indies and here passed three figures in the final over before the tea, the seventh ton of his career.

Last summer, Gallian was run out twice for 199 and again appeared on course for a double century. But he couldn't get so close this time as Panesar collected his lone success of the match, but Gallian's knock has set him up for the start of Nottinghamshire's title defence.

The feeling that today wouldn't follow the same pattern of the earlier stages of this match came when Gallian and Will Smith, who was caught by Clarke at slip after Davies parried the edge, added 118 for the fourth wicket - the first significant stand of the match. Gallian was the first player to reach a half-century and wasn't finished there. Neither were his team-mates.

This display of power-batting built a commanding lead of 494 before Gallian declared after a rain break. In the eight overs possible, Greg Smith removed Ravindar Bopara to put Nottinghamshire on course for a commanding win. But regardless of the result, tomorrow, the defending county champions are shaping up nicely ahead of their match against Yorkshire on Wednesday.