As Nottinghamshire start their Specsavers County Championship campaign against newly promoted Surrey on Sunday, Director of Cricket Mick Newell believes the early rounds will be full of entertaining cricket.
Newell says there is an air of excitement within the Notts camp as they target similar performances to the second half of last year.
“We have done everything we can possibly do to be ready to play and have been lucky with the weather since we got back from Barbados,” he said.
“I don’t think we could ask for much more during the pre-season matches with everybody ready to go.
“We need to turn in the sort of performances we did during the second half of last year.
“We are a seam bowling based side and that’s why we aim for those wins early in the season to get off to a flier.”
With James Taylor missing through illness, Greg Smith has been added to the squad that secured victory over Cambridge MCCU on Thursday.
Australian international fast bowler Jackson Bird is in line for his Nottinghamshire debut.
“I hope Jackson is going to really enjoy it at Trent Bridge and now is a good time of year for a bowler of his type," said Newell.
“He will be aiming to hit the edge and get wickets caught behind. Hopefully the pitches here, and the carry they have, will suit him well.”
With Surrey and Lancashire being promoted from Division Two last year, nine of the biggest clubs across the country will be competing in the top tier in 2016.
“It is a very strong league with international talent and quality players across all the counties,” added Newell.
“I see a lot of challenges for us every week, the first about being ready for this Sunday."
The Surrey showdown will be the first time a new toss procedure has been implemented at Trent Bridge, with the travelling side able to bowl first if they wish without the flip of a coin.
And while Newell says his strategy won’t change at home, the change could factor in to his planning for away trips.
“The toss is certainly something we will think about but you have to get balance right when you go to different grounds,” he said.
“Old Trafford traditionally is a ground where spinners come in to play but the game is also in the middle of April.
“Certainly when we go to places like The Oval or Taunton where it is a better batting wicket, we are likely to take the toss as you wouldn’t want to be bowling there in the middle of the summer."
Following the conclusion of the opening game against Surrey, Stuart Broad will be welcomed to the Nottinghamshire fold as England internationals are released to their counties across the country during the early part of the campaign.
“The England players just add to the quality and excitement of the competition and there is a lot to look forward to in terms of their availability," said Newell.
“We are keen that Stuart puts in three big games for us before he links up with England and I am sure that is the same at any county that has these players.”
Alex Hales is taking an additional game’s break to recover from the ICC World T20 but will return against Yorkshire in the third fixture of the campaign.
Nottinghamshire squad to face Surrey (from): Jake Ball, Jackson Bird, Harry Gurney, Brett Hutton, Michael Lumb, Steven Mullaney, Samit Patel, Chris Read, Greg Smith, Brendan Taylor, Riki Wessels, Luke Wood.
The 2015 season saw dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
This season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.