2021 ANNUAL REPORT

21 CRICKET REPORT A relentless, patient approach paid dividends throughout the season, and it is testament to Luke that he was as potent in the final game of the season againstYorkshire in September as he was against Durham in April. Of course, team success requires contributions from throughout the side – and Luke would be first to admit that he owed much of his success to those with whom he was sharing the bowling duties through- out the campaign. The tremendous impact of our overseas player, Dane Paterson – a bowler whose technical ability was complemented by huge popularity with his teammates and throughout the club – had a big part to play in that. Brett Hutton’s unerring accuracy demonstrated why we were so keen to bring him back to the club from Northamptonshire, and the wholehearted and productive nature of Stuart Broad’s five appearances showed how much representing Nottinghamshire still means to a man who continues to achieve so much on the international stage. Alongside those with experience, a number of homegrown young cricketers played full and active parts in our season and can be proud of their contributions. The progression shown by Lyndon James, Joey Evison and Liam Patterson-White was particularly pleasing following our decision to help facilitate the development of our homegrown players by not signing a second overseas player. Liam was ever-present throughout the red-ball campaign, and his maiden First-Class century against Somerset showed both his tenacity and natural ability as a batter. Meanwhile, he developed increasing awareness across the summer of how to fulfil his role as the sole spinner, often on unresponsive pitches, before taking full advantage when the conditions were more in his favour with a five-wicket haul at Southampton in September. Likewise, Lyndon, whose weight of pre-season runs earned him a first- team position from the start of the season, showed real maturity in making the number five spot his own. He also developed a knack for taking crucial wickets – as did Joey, whose maiden First-Class five-wicket haul against Durham was the clearest “LUKE’S RELENTLESS, PATIENT APPROACH PAID DIVIDENDS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON, AND IT IS TESTAMENT TO HIM THAT HE WAS AS POTENT IN THE FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON AGAINST YORKSHIRE IN SEPTEMBER AS HE WAS AGAINST DURHAM IN APRIL.” Mick Newell