An action-packed early season schedule leaves little in the way of time for rest and recuperation, but Paul Franks feels Nottinghamshire’s second eleven are progressing game by game as they approach their sixth Championship fixture in five weeks.

The latest result saw a 10-wicket win against Derbyshire cap three games unbeaten, a product of focus on the task at hand according to Nottinghamshire’s Assistant Head Coach.

“There was a little phase on the final morning where I felt we lost a little bit of patience, but we got that back and the lunch break came at a good time for us,” he said, commenting upon Notts’ wicket hauls before and after lunch on the final day at The Incora County Ground.

“On the whole, there was a progression on the standards we are trying to implement. On a different surface, there were new challenges against new players, but the understanding of the basics came to the fore, a real continuation of what we have started.”

Franks views setting the right environment as crucial for creating an effective pathway through to the first team.

“It has to be like that”, he comments. “It will always stand the test of time if players are trying to establish themselves here or trying to get up to the next level.

“We need to look after the basics and the standards which are going to put people in good stead for first team cricket. There are signs that we have made good progress in that regard, and I’m pleased with the players.”

One such player who has impressed Franks is the skipper of the side for the first block of games, Peter Trego. Despite admitting a disappointment at not playing first team cricket, the all-rounder has relished the opportunity to pass on his wealth of experience.

“He’s performing his role really well”, said Franks.

“He has a fire that burns, he has always been a competitor. If that fire starts to ebb at all, that’s the time to step away, but there is no sign of that.

“His desire to keep doing the hard bits day to day, motivating himself and the lads, is as strong as ever. He wants to compete, and his game is in great order, so fair play to him.”

With one final game before the advent of the T20 block, focus now turns to an away fixture against Yorkshire.

“We are five games in now, won two, lost two, drawn one. I think Yorkshire will be quite a well drilled, younger outfit with a couple of senior lads and it will be a good measure of how far we have come as a team.

“York Cricket Club is a good venue. The pitches usually play well and we’re looking forward to building on some outstanding individual work in the team environment.

“We’ll make sure the team are ready, that they can rest, recuperate and look forward to trying to win another game next week.”

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