Mick Newell hopes to take advantage of the presence of Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom in his bowling attack when Notts begin their LV County Championship game against Kent at Trent Bridge tomorrow.
Competition for bowling places has reached fever pitch following Darren Pattinson’s explosive start to the season and Newell hopes that his top order batsmen can find their feet in his side’s first championship home game of the season.
All rounder Graeme Swann is unavailable having been selected for the England Lions squad to face New Zealand at the Rose Bowl this week.
“It goes without saying that I would like to see runs being scored in the top five because we can’t rely on the bottom six to see us through,” said Newell.
“We are without Graeme Swann and Kent are without Rob Key but they have strength in depth and a decent seam bowling attack.”
Notts took maximum points from an accomplished display against Kent in the away fixture three weeks ago and could extend their lead at the top of Division One with a positive result.
“We have started well but we know that we have to keep on improving,” said Newell.
“Ryan and Stuart are available to us and we have to capitalise on that because this may be the last time they are able to play four-day cricket for us this season.”
Kent’s Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mahmood misses out after struggling with a dislocated finger in his bowling hand during the Friends Provident Trophy matches with Sussex and Surrey at the weekend.
Notts (probable): Will Jefferson, Matt Wood, Mark Wagh, Adam Voges, Samith Patel, Bilal Shafayat, Chris Read ©, Stuart Broad, Mark Ealham, Ryan Sidebottom, Charlie Shreck
Kent (probable): J Denly, J Tredwell, M van Jaarsveld (C), M Walker, J Kemp, D Stevens, G Jones, R McLaren, Y Arafat, R Joseph, M Saggers