2020 ANNUAL REPORT

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB 2020 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 50 of seven that the side had secured knockout cricket in the one-day format – an enviable record. In theVitality Blast, meanwhile, Mr Newell highlighted that no other county could match the Outlaws’ consistency and that they had battled through the group stages to secure another home quarter-final – the ninth time in the last ten years that they’d made the knockout stages. What happened that night against Middlesex would live long in Mr Newell’s memory. Alex Hales and Chris Nash’s partnership in that quarter-final was fantastic to watch – and Mr Newell said he was particularly pleased for Chris Nash, who had endured a difficult 12 months on the fringes of the T20 side after suffering an injury during the previous year. After such a comprehensive perfor- mance, Mr Newell expressed the view that the Outlaws’ semi-final defeat was heart-breaking. He insisted that the team did a lot right in the game againstWorcestershire, but the way in which they blew up in the closing stages had given them nightmares throughout the winter. Nevertheless, Mr Newell stated that such a result should not cloud judgement when it came to assessing the team’s longer-term limited- overs form. Mr Newell said that Nottingham- shire’sT20 outfit was led impeccably by Dan Christian, an overseas signing who bought into the club’s ethos. The Director of Cricket went on to state that Notts’ white-ball teams had consistently produced successful, exciting cricket which had generated interest in the club from a wide spectrum of members and supporters across the city and county. The difference that made to the club’s profile, its bottom line and its trophy cabinet could not be overstated. Mr Newell stated his belief that Notts had the recipe to continue the run of limited-overs success. He assured those present that most of the same key ingredients would be in place for the upcoming season. That was not to say, however, that the club hadn’t sought to improve its playing squad at every opportunity – whether that was securing the best available talent from elsewhere, or giving its most exciting prospects their chance in the first team. Mr Newell asked those who were at the game againstWarwickshire in the final weeks of the 2019 season to reminisce on the strong contribution of Joey Evison. Evison went on to gain valuable international experience at the under-19sWorld Cup, and had returned to the club as a professional player of some promise. Likewise, Liam Patterson-White grasped his opportunity in the senior squad in 2019, and had fully earned his professional deal. Mr Newell highlighted how the duo had set the perfect example for others within the club’s player pathway – and nothing would make the club prouder than having a core of local stars in its side in years to come. Mr Newell reported that the next wave of young talent was led by three players who earned rookie contracts with the club, giving them the chance to get a taste of life on the full-time staff. Ben Compton possessed the mind- set and aptitude of a traditional four-day batsman. Sol Budinger’s eye-catching approach to batting was sprinkled with touches of genius, and Lyndon James was a capable all-rounder who displayed an ability to lead which was beyond his years. Mr Newell named a number of new senior players who had joined the club ahead of the 2020 season. He recalled Haseeb Hameed’s immediate impact as a Test player in 2016 as an indicator of his tremendous potential. Mr Newell stated that Mohammad Abbas would arrive at Trent Bridge with a Test bowling record which was the equal of anybody’s in the past few years, and that he had adapted to the English domestic game impressively while at Leicestershire. Mr Newell highlighted that Peter Trego brought with him not only valuable experience to pass on to the club’s younger faces, but also the enthusiasm to give his new challenge his all. Tom Barber was a seamer who provided genuine pace and a left- arm angle, and who had long been on the radar of the ECB. Barber spent time on England’s pace performance programme under the guidance of Kevin Shine, who the club was delighted to welcome into the coaching setup of the club. Shine had a strong reputation as a fast-bowling coach, with his 14 years at the ECB including Ashes victories, the rise to number one in the Test rankings and aWorld Cup win. He brought a fresh pair of eyes into the dressing room and his arrival gave the club the opportunity to strengthen the player pathway with the redeployment of Andy Pick, who was being supported by several other former first-team players and coaches in identifying and developing the finest talent available. Mr Newell explained that the club had put a fresh focus on improving its playing and training facilities, both at Trent Bridge and Lady Bay, so that players at every level had everything they needed at their disposal. He said that those present might already have seen the club’s new marquee in situ at Lady Bay, which the first team had used for training for the first time that day. It allowed them to spend more time preparing in early-season English conditions and Mr Newell couldn’t recall a Nottinghamshire team that had been able to train on grass that early in the year. He hoped the facility would prepare