WHILE all the attention this summer has switched from one Notts player's England call-up to the next, Charlie Shreck has quietly gone about his business.

So when the giant right-armer struck with the first ball of the game to claim his 50th first-class scalp for his county, it was hardly surprising that the terrific achievement slipped under the radar.

It was no ordinary wicket either. Somerset's Australian captain Justin Langer is a talismanic figure and no mean player.

Yet there was no extra celebration from Shreck. No grandiose salute to the crowd. No wild leap in the air.

As always, the modest Cornishman took the congratulations of his team-mates and strode back to his mark for the incoming batsman.

It is that kind of professionalism that epitomises why Notts are mounting an against-the-odds challenge for the title this season.

With Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Darren Pattinson and Samit Patel having all answered international calls, it would have been easy for Notts to throw the towel in on a Championship chase.

Instead, the players who have come in have rolled up their sleeves and made light of the absence of the squad's 'star' players.

Despite Shreck touring with England Lions in the winter, fellow opening bowler Pattinson was promoted above him to play for England against South Africa at Headingley.

But you will not hear Shreck complain.

His concern has been to keep Notts at the top of Division One as the crucial last weeks of the season approach – as was again evident yesterday.

His early lbw breakthrough, after Langer chose to bat on winning the toss, was important in setting the tone for the rest of the day.

Notts quickly stamped their authority on proceedings and only the early strokeplay of Marcus Trescothick threatened to derail their dominance.

He made things look simple with a succession of offside boundaries in his 35, being particularly severe on Andre Adams.

But the New Zealander came up with the perfect reply, knocking back Tresothick's off stump via a slight inside edge.

That big moment came in the middle of a spell of three wickets in just 20 balls from Pattinson, who first dismissed Zander De Bruyn to make it 36-2.

After Trescothick had gone, he then persuaded James Hildreth, who departed for a duck, to chase a wide one before producing a snorting delivery that lifted and moved away to oust Wesley Durston.

At 51-5, Notts would have hoped to dismiss their visitors for less than 100 and take full command.

But first Ian Blackwell (24) and then Craig Kieswetter (39) lifted Somerset's hopes slightly with well-constructed innings.

Shreck returned for a second spell to trap Blackwell lbw just before lunch, which was taken with the score on 86-6.

But there was only one success for Notts in the play that was possible in the afternoon session in between the rain and bad light.

It was Adams who struck for a second time, inducing an edge from the driving Kieswetter for Chris Read to take a simple catch.

From then on, Peter Trego (17 not out) and Alfonso Thomas (13 not out) were untroubled before the bad weather was the eventual winner.

For Shreck, the early finish was a chance to put his feet up and reflect on a notable milestone.

But, come the resumption of play, you can be sure there will only be one thing on the paceman's mind.