For those who opt to tune into the free streaming service via Trent Bridge Live, Nottinghamshire’s forthcoming LV= Insurance County Championship game against Essex is a fixture filled with interest and intrigue.
A sub-plot summary is outlined below.
England legends set for battle of Trent Bridge
During the course of this fixture, there’s every possibility of witnessing two of England’s finest of their generation – and indeed of all time – going toe-to-toe.
Granted, Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad are friends. But there will be no quarter asked or given here.
Essex’s left-handed opener, run-machine and Knight of the Realm will be aiming to continue the prolific performances that have seen him average 53 and 56 in his respective seasons since bowing out of the world stage.
Meanwhile Broad, he of 517 Test wickets, averaging 16 for Notts this season and surely a Knight of the Realm elect, will be aiming to nick-off his captain or blow his knees off.
…or alternatively
Not so high profile, but perhaps equally compelling, is the clash of the county stalwarts that could be transpiring at the other end.
Luke Fletcher’s 356 First-Class wickets at 28s meets Nick Browne’s 5,812 First-Class runs at 38s.
Line-and-length merchant versus on-its-merits, ‘over my dead body’ batsman. A battle of wills in the making and perfect for the cricket connoisseur.
The Harmer factor
BBC Radio Nottingham’s Dave Bracegirdle has stated his belief that any team featuring Simon Harmer can be pencilled in as favourites to lift the LV= Insurance County Championship from the outset.
The glistening Chelmsford trophy cabinet, together with the South African’s bowling average of 20 for the club, indicates that the man with the mic might have a point.
Harmer has spoken at length about succeeding in unfriendly conditions being a relishable challenge.
The great Graeme Swann will tell you the ball has never spun off the straight at Trent Bridge.
Time will tell.
Reaction while it’s raw
With the frankly splendid cooperation of Peter Moores and his men, Trent Bridge Live provides post-match interviews within minutes of the final ball being bowled.
There’s been no time for reflection, but there’s plenty of room for emotion – depending on how the day has panned out.
Be sure to stay tuned.
Outlaws in the outfield
The days of two fixed cameras as the sole method of witnessing the action have passed.
By tracking the ball off the bat, our merry men with the cameras will share all the drama in the outfield too.
Dramatic run outs executed by the likes of Luke Fletcher (x2) and Joe Clarke – and catches such as Dane Paterson’s internet breaker at Derby – have provided some of the most memorable moments, and wildest celebrations, of the season.
Witness it all in glorious HD.
The contenders
Everyone’s loving their county cricket right now, but there’s little point pretending that England squads are not just around the corner.
James Taylor and Mo Babat were conspicuous by their presence at the demolition derby at the Incora County Ground, and no-one would be surprised to see them milling around an East Midlands venue once again this time around.
To name but two, winter Test debutant Dan Lawrence is seeing his every move with bat in hand reported at present, and there has been something of a recent press clamour for Haseeb Hameed.
And, with New Zealand and India beckoning, everyone wants to see an in-form Stuart Broad.
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With every ball broadcast live, plus live scorecard and clipped highlights, Trent Bridge Live is your perfect matchday companion.
Watch and follow live here…