Zak Chappell plans to use his recent six-wicket showing against Yorkshire as a springboard from which to fulfil his potential.

The 23-year-old fast-bowler, who concluded the fixture against the White Rose with match figures of six for 123, believes there is much to be gained – both individually and for Nottinghamshire – from the three remaining matches in the Bob Willis Trophy.

“We’ve got lots still to play for,” he said. “The confidence it would give us if we could pick up a couple of wins would be massive.

“We’ve been getting into good positions to win matches. I know that means nothing if you don’t, but I don’t think it’s been a complete write off.

“We need to find ways of getting over the line and our ability to deal with pressure needs to improve at times.

“Personally, I hope I can put a string of games together to show people what I can do. I’ve always been described as having ‘huge potential’, I need to start converting that now.”

With the COVID-19 induced lockdown having been followed by missing out on selection for the opening fixture against Derbyshire, Chappell admits he met last week’s wicket-taking antics with some relief as well as delight.

“I had a small ankle operation in October, to remove some floating bone from the back of the ankle, and have felt good ever since," he said.

“Pre-season went well, but then we had the period of lockdown. I think I coped quite well with it and went back to my mum’s at Stamford and kept myself busy, although I was gagging to play cricket.

“It was a massive relief to get up and running (against Yorkshire). Last year I had my fair share of injuries and there were also a few games where I didn’t bowl as well as I could have.

“You’ve just got to believe that if you put enough balls in good areas and make them play and miss continuously, then eventually you hope they’ll nick one.”

Chappell’s maiden wicket for Notts was the prized scalp of Jonny Bairstow, who slashed into the hands of point.

“I guess I was fortunate that he hit it straight to him, but you’re happy to take them. It’s a wicket, no matter how it comes. Hopefully, that has now set the ball rolling for me.

“After that, I was thankful for the catchers behind the wicket. Carts (Matthew Carter) is like Mr Tickle in there at second slip, he doesn’t drop many. He might not be the quickest across the ground, but anything in the air he snaffles.

“Obviously in the second innings we had to contend without Jake Ball, which wasn’t ideal, but I thrived on the extra responsibility of leading the attack.”

Next up for Notts is a Trent Bridge fixture against Lancashire, a side Chappell has never faced in the longer format, but he does have a fair idea of what to expect.

“I’m looking forward to it very much,” he confirmed. “Especially as I know a few of their players.

“Obviously, it will be good to see Luke Wood again, Tom Bailey is a very good bowler, I went on an England Lions tour with him and Alex Davies.  And when I was at Leicester, Liam Hurt came and lived with me for a couple of weeks whilst he was on trial there.”

Last season, Chappell made his one-day debut for Notts against the Red Rose, a contest that saw the Outlaws narrowly come out on top as both sides scored over 400.

“It was a ridiculous match to play in and typified my luck,” recalled the Grantham-born quick.

“My first delivery for Notts was to Steven Croft. He hit me straight to deep midwicket and Samit (Patel) put it down. He then whacked me into the Smith Cooper Stand three times and went on to get a hundred!”

A score, therefore, to settle. And, as Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan and Tom Kohler-Cadmore would confirm, Zak Chappell is now a man capable of rising to the challenge.

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