Notts keen to get red-ball monkey off their back

SNOW may have reappeared in the forecast in recent days but Nottinghamshire’s cricketers will be looking to quickly warm to the task of improving their red ball record.

The County Championship season starts today with Notts hosting Durham at Trent Bridge over four days.

Although they have not won in 27 first-class matches going back to June 2018, Nottinghamshire were unlucky not to end that dismal run in the Bob Willis Trophy last season, clocking up 20 batting bonus points - six more than any other county and 15 for bowling, and achieving a substantial first-innings lead in all their five matches.

Given a batting line-up that exudes quality from Haseeb and Ben Slater at the top through Ben Duckett, Clarke and the evergreen Samit Patel, combined with a bowling attack including a resurgent Jake Ball that is bolstered by the return of Brett Hutton and the addition of the skilful South African Dane Paterson, with spin options to boot, Nottinghamshire ought to be near the top of their group. However, the long wait for a win is a monkey on their back they need to shake off quickly.

Coach: Peter Moores Captain: Steven Mullaney Last Year’s Performance: Fourth (North Group)

2020 Leading Runscorer: Ben Duckett (394, 56.3)

2020 Leading Wicket Taker: Zak Chappell (15, 28.7)

Overseas players: Dane Paterson (South Africa)

Key man: Joe Clarke

Even with 17 first-class centuries to his name already - four for Nottinghamshire - the classy middle-order strokemaker can still improve and his form could be key to the county’s fortunes.

Flies under the Hameed

Fast-tracked into the Test side at 19 only for his form to disappear, the opener showed signs last season that a change of scene away from the spotlight is working for him.

Best Player Under 24: Liam Patterson-white

The truncated 2020 campaign brought frustration for the left-arm spinning all-rounder, but he’s likely to have opportunities this year. radar: Haseeb