Ben Slater feels last week's final-day batting display demonstrated the fight within the Nottinghamshire dressing room.

The opener takes his place in a 12-man squad for Notts' second LV= Insurance County Championship fixture of the season, with Warwickshire making the short trip for the behind closed doors fixture at Trent Bridge.

Stuart Broad returns to the squad for the first time in 2021, while Brett Hutton and Jake Ball are absent through injuries sustained in the season opener against Durham.

Notts' rearguard action against Durham was typified by Tom Moores on day three, as the wicketkeeper scored 96* in the first innings to shrink the visitors' lead. 

“How Tom played in the first innings, that was a proper knock, and the support that Brett showed alongside helped us to fight our way back into the game”, Slater said. 

“We are in April, so we understand that we might lose wickets early sometimes, especially when we come up against good bowlers in favourable conditions, but to show the fight we did in both innings is positive moving forwards.”

On an overcast fourth day, Slater saw off the new ball and compiled a 20-over partnership with Lyndon James worth 61 runs, before the former was pinned LBW for 73. 

James went on to make an unbeaten 79, his maiden first-class fifty, with captain Steven Mullaney scoring 69 to earn his side a share of the spoils.

“To get a score under my belt, it takes a bit of pressure off”, Slater admitted.

“I went in trying to get past the new ball, and tried to be positive. If you are positive, you get into the best positions to play defensively.

“It wasn’t about being reckless, it was about looking to score when I can, and that puts the pressure back on the bowler, which makes it easier for the batsman.”

There was a useful return for the bowling department, too, with the wickets shared around the contingent. Slater believes that early-season success helps to lay down a marker for the campaign.

“It settles everyone down if you get a score, or you get a couple of wickets or bowl well," he said.

"You’re not then striving to find rhythm with bat or ball."

The focus now turns to putting in a complete performance against Warwickshire, who were the hosts for a pre-season game between the sides two weeks ago. 

“As a side, if we look at the four days against Durham, we played well in parts of the game but we let it slip on the evening of the third day. I think we can take positives. It’s about putting it all together to win a game. 

“We played Warwickshire few weeks ago, so we got an early look at them and we know what they are about. 

“You want your home ground to be an advantage to you. The fight that we showed on Sunday made a statement that we aren’t just going to roll over if we are behind the eight-ball.

“That can only help us moving forwards.”

You can watch every ball of Nottinghamshire’s clash with Warwickshire via Trent Bridge Live.

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Tickets to witness Notts Outlaws’ defence of their Vitality Blast title in 2021 are now on general sale.