Nottinghamshire’s Academy return to action in the Notts Premier League this weekend, with a journey to Retford to face newly-promoted Ordsall Bridon.
Sam Wood, who has been an integral part of the academy’s fortunes in recent seasons, insisted that there was more to the side than just a pair of disappointing results.
“There are a lot of positives coming from the Academy side at the moment,” he said.
“It’s a new team and its just a matter of gelling together.
“There are a lot of younger lads that we need to help through and get into the side, and that takes time, but they’re a good bunch and we’ll turn the corner.”
In the Academy’s sights this weekend is newly-promoted Ordsall Bridon, and Wood, who made his debut for the Academy against them six years ago, is relishing the contest.
“This is my sixth season playing for the academy on a Saturday, it has changed an awful lot since the first game I played,” said Wood.
“The first game I played for the academy was against Bridon, who we’re playing tomorrow.
“It should be nice for the younger lads to test themselves against a side who have just been promoted, it’ll be a competitive match.
While the Academy have bowled well in their opening exchanges of the Premier League season, they have found scoring difficult in early-season conditions. In a league populated by experienced club crickters and former profesionals, according to Wood, there’s no better environment to test the club’s younger prospects.
“As a young professional, it’s the best standard of club cricket you can play,” he said.
“It can only benefit younger players testing themselves against senior players.
“I always like to perform, every time I step to the crease I’ll be looking for runs and to take wickets with the ball.
“I have a responsibility now to help the younger lads through, be there for them in the middle and give them advice to improve their game.”
Nottinghamshire Academy side: Azad, Bowles, Franks, Freeman, Keast, New, Tillcock, Walton, Webster, L.Wood, S.Wood,