Mick Newell believes the return of Alex Hales and James Taylor to county cricket in April, at a time when the England duo are hungrier than ever for big runs, is an exciting prospect for Nottinghamshire supporters.
The duo has been challenged by the England hierarchy to pile on the runs in county cricket in order to bag a shirt for the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Hales, who averaged 17 during the recent Test series in South Africa with one half-century, is likely to have white ball commitments with England until the conclusion of the world T20, for which the final is in early April.
Having elected not to enter the auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the 26-year-old will then join-up with Notts to focus on the red ball.
“Alex has still got a chance of playing Test match cricket,” said Newell.
“What he hasn’t done is cement the place so he can relax in terms of the Sri Lanka series and look ahead.
“He’s got to re-establish his credentials during the early part of the English season, as do a number of players.
“It’s a great challenge for him and I hope he comes back from this tour refreshed in terms of really wanting to have a good go at this.
“He’s made a decision not to go to the IPL, so he’ll play for us early season.
“He knows his England position is under threat, it’s bound to be and he’s made a decision, to fight for his place.
“Hopefully he’ll come back with real vigour and desire to do that.”
“Alex started last season brilliantly,” the Director of Cricket continued. “He scored heavy, heavy runs.
“Notts members will I’m sure want to see him and James in those first four matches; two home, two away.
“They’re important games for the Club and important for those two players in particular now.
“The focus will be on from a lot of the national press. They will be taking an interest in those early county matches and particularly in people that bat in the top three or four for their teams.
“It’s exciting for us because we know we’re going to have them and that they’re going to be very focused and determined to do well.”
Unless Taylor muscles his way into the England T20 setup during the forthcoming 50-over series in South Africa, he will rejoin his Nottinghamshire teammates in mid-February.
Having spent three years grafting for a recall, Newell expects the 26-year-old to continue fighting hard to retain his position following a South Afrcia series that brought 186 runs at an average of 26.57.
“Titch knows he’s fought like heck to get in there and he’s going to fight like heck again to stay in there.
“Once he’s completed his one-day cricket over this winter, he’ll prepare for county cricket the same as he always does and he’ll back himself.
“He’ll hope we back him as selectors, and he’ll back his technique and ability to make sure he stays in that Test team.”
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.