TAYLOR AIMING TO TURN STARTS INTO CENTURIES AGAINST HAMPSHIRE

Brendan Taylor, having scored centuries on both his first-class and LV= County Championship debuts for Nottinghamshire, is heading for Hampshire already inpatient for another three figure score.

The 29-year-old, who contributed 27 and 32 in the recent home draw against Yorkshire, is preparing to curb his attacking instincts at the Ageas Bowl in an attempt to pile on the runs.

“Every time you go out to bat, the mentality is to do so for a period of time, then go long,” he said.

“I went away from my game against Yorkshire. I was probably a little bit too determined to score and stay on top.

“I need to reign it back a little bit, limit my risk shots and bat a period of time. If you do that, you get a lot of runs.”

Taylor is enjoying opening the batting with Steven Mullaney having so far posted partnerships of 70, 77, 37 and 46 - and the winter recruit is also backing his top-order partner to post a big one in the near future. 

“We’ve settled really nicely together and hopefully that continues,” Taylor said.

“We’re both pretty easy going – he’s a pretty calming character and he looks at ease at the crease.

“We’ve both been getting in and getting out, so we’re doing the hard work, now we’ve got to try and kick on.

“It’s just a matter of tweaking that a little bit; get to 50, get to 70, start breaking it down and go on to get a hundred.”

Nottinghamshire are without Harry Gurney for the fixture after the left-arm paceman, who has nine wickets so far this season at an average of 23, picked up a groin injury against Yorkshire.

Gurney’s place in the side could go to Luke Wood, Luke Fletcher or Brett Hutton, who have all been named in Mick Newell’s 13-man squad.

With this trio of call-ups and Jake Ball retaining his place in the first team squad, Nottinghamshire’s squad features a battery of four homegrown seamers.

Taylor has seen pace bowlers have to work hard for their wickets in the two championship matches to date, and he doesn’t expect that to change at the Ageas Bowl.

 “It’s been a little bit of a struggle trying to get 20 wickets with the good weather being around and the wickets playing quite nicely,” he said.

“At times the ball still swings, and the odd time the ball nips around, but it’s generally been pretty flat.

“As a batsman it keeps you honest but, if you apply yourself, there are plenty of runs to be scored.

“I’ve never played at the Ageas Bowl but apparently it’s likely to be another good wicket."

Sunday’s matchup with Hampshire means a reunion for Nottinghamshire with 39-year-old bowler Andre Adams, who departed Trent Bridge at the end of last season having taken 344 wickets for the county, over eight seasons, at an average of 24.18.

Adams and Taylor never crossed paths at Trent Bridge, but there will be an additional reunion with its roots in Zimbabwe, as Sean Ervine lines up for the men from the south coast.

“I know Sean very well,” Taylor said. He’s a good cricketer, more so a batting all-rounder nowadays and he’s been great for Hampshire.

“He’s a very talented player and it’s been great to see him do so well over 11 years in county cricket.

“I’m really pleased for him, but no doubt there’ll be bit of rivalry there between us during the game.

“But putting all that aside, most importantly the guys are more determined than ever to start winning matches.”

Nottinghamshire squad to face Hampshire (from): Jake Ball, Luke Fletcher, Will Gidman, Alex Hales, Brett Hutton, Steven Mullaney, Samit Patel, Vernon Philander, Chris Read, Brendan Taylor, James Taylor, Riki Wessels and Luke Wood.

Hampshire squad to face Nottinghamshire (from): Jimmy Adams, Michael Carberry, Will Smith, James Vince, Liam Dawson, Adam Wheater, Sean Ervine, Gareth Berg, Chris Wood, Danny Briggs, Andre Adams, James Tomlinson and Brad Wheal.

There will be on-line ball-by-ball commentary of this and every other Nottinghamshire match this season, provided by BBC Radio Nottingham. Access the link via the BBC Sport website.

For live text updates and ball-by-ball scorecard throughout the four days visit Trent Bridge Live.

The excitement of the NatWest T20 Blast returns to Trent Bridge in May as Notts Outlaws hope to break the 10,000 barrier for the arrival of reigning champions Birmingham Bears on Friday 15 May.

Adult tickets are available at a special price of £10 and further discounts in place for under 16s (£5), under21s (£7) and senior citizens (£7) when buying in advance. Make Trent Bridge a firm fixture for your Friday nights and secure your seats now.