Nottinghamshire batsman Billy Root hopes his eye-catching 85 in the pre-season friendly at Leicestershire will put him in the frame to play in the first Specsavers County Championship match at Lancashire next week.
With overseas player, New Zealander Ross Taylor to arrive before the trip to Old Trafford, the left-hander is vying for a place in the Green and Golds’ top six.
He did his cause no harm at all with a composed knock containing 14 fours before retiring unbeaten at the tea interval, with Notts eventually ending the day on 394-6.
“I felt pretty good today, playing in nice weather and batting alongside the captain (Steven Mullaney), who batted very well,” said Root.
“All I can do is keep playing well and hope that stands me in good stead.”
“It’s nice to get a bit of time in the middle, particularly at this time of the year. It was frustrating to go down to Cambridge and sit and watch it rain for a day-and-a-half and then the weather after we got back to Nottingham made it tough to train.
“But the sun finally came out and it’s good to take advantage and play some good cricket before the season starts.
“For me, I’ll always be trying to put pressure on what is a good batting line-up, trying to force my way into the team by playing as well as I can.
“Whether the batting spots are still up for grabs is a question for those above my station, but all I can do is keep playing well and hope that stands me in good stead.”
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