Mansfield born fast-bowler Jake Ball has earned for selection for the opening game of Nottinghamshire's first-class season against Loughborough MCCU starting tomorrow - now he's got eyes on the LV= County Championship opener at Lord's. 

Ball has been named in a four man pace attack which also includes Luke Fletcher, Harry Gurney and new signing Will Gidman for the Trent Bridge fixture and - with South Africa international Vernon Philander set to arrive in time for the match against Middlesex - the 24-year-old will be bowling his heart out to retain a place in the side.

The Nottinghamshire squad were informed of Mick Newell's team selection earlier today and - after striving hard throughout pre-season building up to this day - Ball admits to experiencing a few butterflies.

"There are always a few nerves there because I've been picked in some teams and sometimes not," he said. "Having said that, I was confident I'd done enough during pre-season to get a place and I'm obviously delighted to be selected.

"Last year was a strange one for me because I forced my way into the side then picked up a freak injury.

"This time around, with Harry Gurney and Luke Fletcher missing some of pre-season, I've had the opportunity to show what I can do with the new ball and it has gone well for me.

"It's been my best pre-season by far. I had the opportunity to go out to Australia but I turned it down so I could stay in the UK, work really hard on my bowling and make sure I was ready for the new season."

Each county is assigned to play one University fixture per campaign, with Nottinghamshire last coming up against Loughborough back in 2012 - a game that finished in a draw after Mick Newell's men allowed their batsmen to spend plenty of time in the middle.

Ball admits this game will again be very much about preparation for facing county opposition, but insists the team will still be focussed on forcing a victory within the three days if they possibly can.

Add to that the fierce competition for places in the bowling line-up, and all guns will certainly blazing when captain Chris Read throws the ball to his pace attack's youngest member, who will be making his eighth first-class appearance and is desperate to become a more permanent fixture in the team.

"You're always looking to win, but it's also very important for the batsmen to spend time in the middle and for the bowlers to bowl overs, put miles in the legs and spend long periods, maybe five or six hours, out on the field ready for the game at Lord's.

"The four pace bowlers in the team for the Loughborough match, we all know there's Vernon Philander to come in for Middlesex, so we'll all be very eager to impress against Loughborough and earn a place in that side.

"Taking the new ball is always the perfect scenario, but Fletch has been taking it for a few years now and we've got Vernon Philander coming in as well. Hopefully I'll get that opportunity but, whenever I'm asked to bowl, it's about doing a good job for the team.

"My focus has been the same for a few years now, to become a regular in the first 11. If I can stay fit and keep bowling well, I want to play a role for Nottinghamshire in both red and white ball cricket. For 2015 that starts with the match tomorrow and hopefully putting in a performance."

New signing Brendan Taylor, meanwhile, will make his Nottinghamshire debut having recently arrived in the UK to commence his maiden campaign in county cricket.

All-rounder Steven Mullaney, who opened the batting in each of his 12 first-class appearances last season, has again been named at the top of the order.

Play starts at 11am each day, entry to Trent Bridge for the match is free of charge and refreshments will be available in the pavilion. 

Nottinghamshire team to face Loughborough MCCU: Steven Mullaney, Brendan Taylor, Alex Hales, James Taylor, Samit Patel, Riki Wessels, Chris Read, Will Gidman, Luke Fletcher, Harry Gurney and Jake Ball.

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