Mark Footitt has set his sights on using his extra pace to help bowl Nottinghamshire back into Specsavers County Championship Division One.
The Nottingham-born left-armer has returned to his home county after coming through the Club’s ranks as a youngster before moving on to Derbyshire and then Surrey.
But after being asked to be released from his contract at the Kia Oval to move back to live with his fiancée and daughter in Mansfield, the 31-year-old was delighted to agree a deal at Trent Bridge until the end of the 2019 summer.
Footitt, one of the quickest English bowlers in county cricket, said: “It will help having that extra pace. We have seen with James Pattinson how devastating he’s been when bowling at 90mph, particularly playing in Division Two.
“Hopefully I can do well in the rest of this Championship season and get us promoted as well.
“I think I have matured more as a player while I have been away and I have had a lot of time playing cricket at Derbyshire and Surrey. You pick up a lot more things when you are playing more first team cricket.
“I think I know what I need to do now to take wickets and do well for the team.”
Footitt played in both of Notts’ Second XI T20 games against Derbyshire yesterday at Worksop College, recording figures of 1-17 and 0-23.
In the first game, the hosts registered 173-4, as Tom Moores made 88 and Billy Root 33, before successfully defending that total as Derbyshire were restricted to 143-8, with Matt Milnes taking 2-20 and Brett Hutton 2-33.
Derbyshire batted first in the second game and scored 194-7, despite Dan Christian’s 3-37, but Notts reached their target from the penultimate ball of the innings as Christian hit 90 not out from 47 balls and Jake Libby contributed 42 from 30.
Footitt said: “It was just nice to get back out there bowling in a match, get to know some of the players and start to settle in.
“I am available for all matches and would be happy to play white ball cricket, including T20, if needed.”
View the scorecard from the first T20 match between Notts and Derbyshire Second XIs.
View the scorecard from the second T20 match between Notts and Derbyshire Second XIs.
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