Stepping into a new side can sometimes be tricky, but it’s been a very smooth transition for Will Gidman so far and he enjoyed his first tournament success as a Notts Outlaws player over the weekend.
The former Gloucestershire all-rounder played in all three matches as the twice champions made it a hat-trick of Barbados T20 Cup titles.
“It’s been very nice,” he said. “I know some people might look at this as being a very friendly competition but for me personally it’s been a great winning feeling and I’ve really enjoyed it.
“It’s all about good habits, isn’t it? You get into winning habits, so it’s been a really good couple of days.”
Gidman knew several of his new Nottinghamshire teammates by reputation prior to joining, but the trip to Barbados has helped him learn more about the others.
“They’re all a fantastic bunch of boys,” he said.
“The one thing that stands out for me is that we all know about the big boys at the club, the really top players - but to learn a little bit about some of our young boys, your Huttons, your Tillcocks etc has been a great experience for me.
“They are fantastic cricketers, really good cricketers and the depth we have in the squad is phenomenal
“You look at the names that aren’t here and are still to come into the squad and it’s very, very, exciting.”
The 30-year old opened the bowling in all three matches in the Barbados T20 Cup, getting wickets against Warwickshire and Northants and conceding just 13 from his four overs in the semi final against Combined Campuses and Colleges. He confirmed he’d enjoyed the role at the start of the innings.
“Yes i did, I enjoyed bowling with the new ball. The wickets probably didn’t suit me as much as English wickets but that’s fine, it actually makes me happier with how I’ve done over here.”
The success of the top three meant he rarely had to strap his pads on, let alone get a chance with the bat.
“Nowhere near a chance with the bat,” he laughed. “But listen, I don’t mind that at all.
“We put an emphasis on this competition. We wanted to win it and we have done. Fingers-crossed I’ll get a chance with the bat in the final tour match against Hampshire, which would round the tour off very nicely for me.”
The final match of the tour, a two-day fixture against Hampshire on Wednesday and Thursday, is now being played at Isolation Cavaliers Cricket Club at Lakes in St Andrew parish on the eastern side of the island.
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.