Peter Trego hailed the unity and resilience of his Nottinghamshire second eleven side after the Green and Golds secured a 10-wicket victory over Derbyshire at The Incora County Ground. 

The all-rounder took eight wickets in the match and scored 60 in the first innings before revealing that his own flourishing game has emanated from a positive dressing room environment.

The captain pointed to a myriad of pivotal performances coming from throughout the team as evidence of a positive mentality.

“I am really pleased with where my own game is at, but it’s easy to do that in a team full of winners”, he said.

“I could go around the room after the game today and pinpoint key performances from every player so far this season.”

A climax to the first block of the season has seen Notts win two and draw one of their previous three games, a record Trego believes has much to do with getting closer as a team and maintaining high standards. A winning mindset has, the 40-year-old believes, been instilled.

“It’s been great. Playing our local rivals has kept us motivated here, but as a group we have really gelled over the five weeks, and I think we have become more professional and more ruthless”, he revealed.

 “When the game gives us an opportunity to win, we are starting to take it, and that’s across the club."

The all-rounder had to fight a battle within himself when he was asked to captain the second eleven at the start of the season, but has taken great joy from raising the standards in a team full of promising talent.

“I’m a very passionate cricketer and I am desperate to be playing first team cricket, so I have had to manage my own personal disappointments, but also make the most of the position I’ve been given.

“I view the captain of this team as a crucial role. It would be remiss of me, with my experience of playing first team cricket, to let standards slide. If I let them get away with things that wouldn’t be up to scratch in the first team, I think it’s a missed opportunity.” 

Trego’s role, sharing experience gained through years of the game, is one within which he is revelling and he admits the flurry of wickets late on day three drew as much excitement as ever, and that winning makes all the hard work worthwhile.

“Over the five weeks, I have had to do less and less and that’s been reflected in the fact we have dominated two decent sides, and drew with another in Durham.

“In the last three games in particular, we have been a real force to be reckoned with and that’s a great place for us to be.

“I’ve surprised myself with how much joy I have got from watching others, passing on my experience and watching them grow. When we took three for none at the end of day three, I went home absolutely buzzing, as if I was playing in a Lord’s final, I could barely sleep!

“It’s a rare thing to be in a team that has become so dominant over the last few weeks, so it has been really enjoyable.”

Highlights and scorecard from the fixture are available here…

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