Pujara set for home comforts at Notts

Notts v Gloucs

May 26-29, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 11:00

TRENT Bridge is one of the most iconic grounds around and Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara says he will be like a kid on Christmas morning today as he prepares to make his home bow for Nottinghamshire.

The 29-year-old made his debut for the county in their draw at Glamorgan, which ended the club’s 100 per cent winning start to the County Championship campaign.

And now he is gearing up for the start of their clash with Gloucestershire today, with the Trent Bridge faithful expecting their latest overseas superstar to make an instant impact.

Pujara has played twice at Trent Bridge before, once with Yorkshire and once with India – on their ill-fated five-Test tour of England in 2014.

Despite being a key member of India’s Test side, the middleorder batsman has just five one-day caps and is not part of their Champions Trophy squad.

“I love playing at Trent Bridge,” he said. “It’s a fast outfield, beautiful wicket and there might be something in it for the fast bowlers.

“The way it’s constructed is really traditional, even the changing rooms. I just love sitting on the balcony, though I don’t want to be sitting there when Notts are batting.

“It’s a traditional ground and it’s very good for Test cricket. It has that aura where if you’re on the field you feel really good about it.”

While Nottinghamshire top the table with three wins and one draw, Gloucestershire arrive in fifth place – with one win from three matches.

Their One-Day Cup campaign ended in disappointment, with a seventh-placed finish in the South Group and batsman Chris Dent expects them to rebound strongly.

“Obviously, it is going to be a tough game against Nottinghamshire. I have not played them before and I don’t think many of the lads have,” he said.

“But we are looking to go in and take them down. If we do, it will help us kick on.”