Billy’s set a mission on sealing new deal

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE’S Billy Root has been challenged to force his way into their County Championship team after signing a new contract at Trent Bridge.

Root, 25, the younger brother of England captain Joe, put pen to paper on a two-year deal – his first professional contract.

He had come through the Yorkshire Academy before being released in 2011 and joining the MCC Young Cricketers, though is now a regular in white-ball cricket for Notts.

Nottinghamshire Head coach Peter Moores said: “He’s been an effective player for us, particularly in one-day cricket.

“We’re looking for him to now push on in both white and red-ball cricket after working very hard for this opportunity.”

Bowler Luke Fletcher, 28, who won’t play again until next season after being struck on the head against Warwickshire in July, has also signed a two-year contract.

Moores added: “It’s a well-deserved contract for Luke because of what he has done in the last 12 months.

“He’s gone away and looked quite hard at what he can do to get himself into the team.

“We have seen the results of that in the way he bowled in the first part of the County Championship.”