The portrait of Chris Read that is to be hung in the Trent Bridge Pavilion in acknowledgement of his considerable contribution to Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club has been unveiled.

Painted by former England wicket-keeper Jack Russell, it was revealed to Members for the first time following the conclusion of the Specsavers County Championship match with Lancashire.

Director of Cricket Mick Newell, chairman Richard Tennant and Read himself were all present in the Long Room for the occasion.

The portrait will now be hung in the Pavilion in time for Notts’ next home game at Trent Bridge – the Family Fun Day against Warwickshire on 27 May.

Read has been honoured after giving 20 years of service to the Club, 10 of those as Captain, before calling time on a glittering career at the end of last season.

The former wicket-keeper batsman now works at Uppingham School but is set to work part-time at Trent Bridge during the summer holidays.

“It’s a massive honour and something that does not get done a great deal these days,” said Read. “But when you look around any cricket museum or Long Room around the country at grounds all around the world then you see prominent paintings of players from back in the day.

“It’s a massive honour and something that does not get done a great deal these days.”

“It’s a great idea and I’m hugely honoured to have Jack Russell commissioned to paint the piece.

“My relationship with the Club has been fantastic and I’m sure it will be one that continues for a long, long time.”

Newell, who spoke at the unveiling added: “We wanted to mark the efforts of what I think we would all agree is one of the greatest player to have played for the Club in its long history.

“We wanted to make a special, personal presentation and it will be great to have one of the modern greats of Trent Bridge pictured in the Long Room.”

Read has also been given his own version of the portrait to keep as a memento of his Trent Bridge playing career.

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