Brendon McCullum's One Day International career came to an end today with the New Zealand captain finishing third in his country’s list of all time run-scorers, behind two former Nottinghamshire men.
The 34-year-old concluded his 50-over career with a typically ebullient 47 off 27 balls as the Black Caps took the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, which was presented by another Nottinghamshire & New Zealand legend Sir Richard Hadlee, with a 55-run victory over Australia.
McCullum’s career, therefore, concluded on 6,083 runs; 1,003 behind Nathan Astle and 1,924 in arrears of former Notts captain Stephen Fleming at the top of the chart.
Fleming's status as one of world cricket’s great leaders was established long before his arrival at Trent Bridge ahead of the 2005 season.
Eight years into a decade long tenure during which he became his country’s most successful captain, Fleming’s impact was immediate.
Leading from the front with four centuries and a first class average of 61, the Kiwi left-hander also proved an expert in man-management as newly promoted Nottinghamshire lifted the County Championship for the first time since 1987.
Although they were relegated the following year, Fleming guided his men back to the top division in 2007 and departed with a first class record for the Club of 2,830 elegant runs, ten centuries and an average of 55.49.
He played for New Zealand on seven further occasions having departed Trent Bridge, before retiring with a Test record of 111 matches, 7172 runs, nine centuries and an average of 40.06.
In ODI cricket he averaged 32.41 across 279 games, passing 50 on 57 occasions with eight centuries.
Astle, meanwhile, played ten first-class and nine List A matches for Nottinghamshire during a short stint with the Club in 1997, departing Trent Bridge with his reputation very much enhanced having averaged 40.25 and 34.37 in the respective forms of the game.
His first century in a Notts shirt came against Warwickshire in mid-July, helping Paul Johnson’s men to an unlikely draw having been bowled out for 133 in the first innings.
The New Zealander repeated the dose in a high-scoring draw against Essex at Worksop. He was, on both occasions, dismissed for exactly 100.
A diminutive but powerful batsman, Astle’s international career went from strength-to-strength following his short stint at Trent Bridge.
He retired in 2006/07 with 308 caps & 11,866 runs across all formats and a highest score of 222 which he posted, against England, off 168 balls at Christchurch in 2002.
Fleming’s Nottinghamshire career was, of course, lengthier, more high profile and more celebrated than his New Zealand middle-order teammate.
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.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.