LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Trent Bridge:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Nottinghamshire v Essex 61-2
Match scorecard

Sidebottom last played for Notts in April's Championship win over Kent

Title-chasing Nottinghamshire suffered a frustrating first day at Trent Bridge despite Ryan Sidebottom's return, as rain restricted play to just 17 overs.

Play did not start until after tea (1700 BST) to frustrate the home side's bid to sneak back above Yorkshire at the top of the Division One table.

Essex reached 61-2, Ravi Bopara and Matt Walker seeing them to the close.

They lost openers Tom Westley, caught behind off Darren Pattinson for 17, and Jaik Mickleburgh, lbw to Andre Adams.

Sidebottom was available for Notts after being left out of England's team for the first Test at Lord's, but Bilal Shafayat was dropped in a shake-up of the batting order.

Alex Hales and Neil Edwards will open the batting, with Mark Wagh returning to the side at number three after finishing his law exams.

After winning their first four matches before losing at home to Hampshire last week, Notts were inactive this week when they dropped to second place in the table.

But, with two matches in hand, they are only two points behind leaders Yorkshire, who suffered a complete wash-out on the first day of the Roses match at Headingley.

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