A second half-century for Ali Brown provided scant consolation for Notts as they crashed to defeat inside three days against Essex at Chelmsford.

Maurice Chambers ripped through the Notts top order before Danesh Kaneria mopped up the tail as Hales, Shafayat, Patel, Franks, Adams and Fletcher failed to make it into double figures in a second innings total of 159.

Defeat by 143-runs highlighted fragilities in a Nottinghamshire batting order bereft of overseas star David Hussey who is on international duty with Australia.

Mark Wagh (26) and Chris Read (20) made starts but couldn’t capitalise as Brown top-scored with 62.

With Yorkshire poised to regain top spot, Notts must improve when they face Warwickshire at Edgbaston from Tuesday 20th July.