2023 ANNUAL REPORT

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB 2023 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 56 The club’s cash balances, he continued, had fluctuated over the years (with data since 2013 shown on screen); last year it was at a record high of £5.9m.This balance had then reduced this year, mainly because the club repaid the Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan of £2m. The club received this loan in November 2020 and this was to have been used to cover immediate working capital requirements. Thankfully, in the end, the club were able to manage without dipping into this loan and it was repaid in full in December 2021. Under the terms of this Government-backed loan, no arrangement fees or interest were charged for the period of the loan. In summary, Mr Ellis noted that there was a surplus for the year of £869,661, while the club had £3m in the bank at the year end. Loans had now reduced to £5.7m, £2.6m below the peak level of borrowing in 2018. As in previous years without a men’s Test Match, the club was budgeting a deficit for 2022-23, and this was predicted to be in the region of £1m. Mr Ellis proposed the meeting adopted the accounts of Notting- hamshire County Cricket Club for the year ended 30 September 2022. This was seconded by Mr John Evans.The accounts were approved by a unanimous vote in the room and 83 to one against on Zoom. 7. TO RECEIVE THE CRICKET REPORT FOR THE 2022 SEASON The Director of Cricket, Mick Newell, began by saying that he was very pleased to be able to reflect on a season in which the club achieved its ultimate on-field aim for the year – promotion to Division One of the County Championship – whilst noting progress made in other areas. The Notts pathway continued to develop, with increasing contribu- tions being made to international and representative teams, while the growth of women’s cricket was accelerating. Mr Newell said that these things, in addition to the on-field performances of Notting- hamshire teams, are a key part of a successful club. On a playing front, Mr Newell said that he was particularly proud of how players overcame the setback of being placed in the second tier, despite being one of the best performing counties in First-Class cricket in 2021; he thought they dealt admirably with the initial disappointment of that, and then the weight of expectation that they would go on to dominate in DivisionTwo. Victory on the final day of the season provided a wonderful chance for players and staff to celebrate with members. Amongst the squad, Mr Newell wished to give particular mention to a number of individuals. Haseeb Hameed responded brilliantly after a difficult Ashes tour, while Ben Duckett produced career-best performances which vindicated the hard work he had put in over the last few years. He had appreciated the help and support of the club’s incredibly hard-working coaching staff – particularly, in his case, Peter Moores [Head Coach] and Ant Botha [Assistant Coach]. Mr Newell said he was sure that members would agree that Ben’s England selection in white and red-ball cricket was well earned, and it had been brilliant to see him embrace his opportunity over this winter. On the bowling front, Dane Paterson was excellent once again, both on the pitch – with 75 all-format wickets – and in the dressing room, where he was an immensely popular character. To have an overseas player available for the full duration of the season, at a time when there is so much cricket being played globally, is rare, and the club was delighted to be able to reward Dane’s commitment with a longer-term contract. He was well supported by the likes of Brett Hutton and Stuart Broad, as well as Luke Fletcher – with the latter having been awarded a testimonial year which Mr Newell had no doubt would be well supported by many.  The club’s homegrown players continued to flourish, with Liam Patterson-White the most successful English spinner in the County Championship and Lyndon James making the number five spot his own. Both had bright futures, as indicated by their selection for England Lions over the winter.  In the Blast, the Outlaws failed to qualify, unusually, for the knockout stages.This led to a refresh of the team for 2023 with the additions of Olly Stone and Colin Munro. Mr Newell believed the club were well placed to come back stronger next year, but he also wished to place on record his thanks to Dan Christian, who had played in his seventh and final summer with the club in the 2022 season. He had been a terrific leader, with his two T20 trophies as captain attesting to that. He was part of the Notting- hamshire family and would always be warmly welcomed atTrent Bridge. Moving forward, Mr Newell continued, the club’s task was to field a side capable of winning games, blending the experience in the format which has been so crucial to the side’s success in recent years with providing opportunities for those young players who were all desperate for more white-ball involvement. Many of those had been given a platform in the Royal London Cup, which continued to give players opportunities on the first team stage, while allowing more established members of the squad to lead from the front.  Haseeb captained the side very well, while Ben Slater and Brett Hutton set the example on the pitch.While Mr Newell was pleased to see the Outlaws reach the knockout stages, he felt the side could have progressed further.