Mick Newell is calling on his Notts players to clinch promotion with victory over Derbyshire – and set up a “beer match” at Taunton in the final fixture of the season.
LV County Championship Division Two
September 6-9: Derbyshire v Notts at Chesterfield
Start time: 10.30am
In mathematical terms, Notts need to take five more points than Middlesex over the remainder of the season to ensure their immediate return to Division One of the LV Championship.
And the Director of Cricket concedes that victory over Derbyshire will take them to the brink of achieving their top target for the season.
Said Newell: “Although Middlesex have a game in hand of us, it will leave them with very little margin for error if we can beat Derbyshire and take maximum points. That has to be our target and we need to be totally tuned in and play to our full potential.
“Winning promotion was always our top priority for the season and we are very well placed to achieve that. But we certainly cannot take anything for granted and I’m very keen to avoid making the final game at Taunton all-important.
“Somerset have already clinched promotion from Division Two so in an ideal world, we want to go there and have a four-day beer match.”
Injuries
Mark Ealham again misses out because of a hamstring strain and AJ Harris will need to undergo a late fitness test on a back injury to decide whether he is fit enough to face his former county. Ryan Sidebottom is on England duty but otherwise, Notts will be at full strength.
Squad
Gallian, Jefferson, Waugh, Fleming, Patel, Shafayat, Read, Swann, Adams, Franks, Shreck, Harris.