Nottinghamshire will pose a unique test for a new-look Derbyshire side in the upcoming LV= Insurance County Championship clash at Trent Bridge, according to wicketkeeper-batter Tom Moores.
Dane Paterson returns to the 13-man squad in place of Sol Budinger for the East Midlands derby (19-22 May, 11am start).
“We speak about an 80/20 rule, focusing 80% on us and 20% on the opposition,” Moores said, reflecting on Derbyshire’s upturn in fortunes - this week’s visitors are still unbeaten in five games in the Championship, albeit having drawn four.
“We know they are a slightly different side to the one we have been playing over the past few seasons; Shan Masood has been full of runs but, already this season, we have come across good teams and certain players who have done well until facing us.
“We will be challenging their batters in a way that other teams haven’t yet and putting them under pressure. We will focus on ourselves and do our thing.”
That was exactly what was achieved in Notts’ draw at Middlesex, says Moores, who believes, despite being frustrated by rain, the Green and Golds are in a good place as a product of their performance.
He is satisfied with his own contributions, too, having carried his side over the line against Worcestershire with an unbeaten 28 and scored an important 36 in the first innings against Middlesex, as well as conducting Notts’ fielding orchestra.
“The way we played our cricket over three days and dominated with the bat and ball is what we can take away from that fixture,” he said.
“Mull’s [Steven Mullaney] was one of the best innings I have ever seen, Hass [Haseeb Hameed] was exceptional, Jimmy [Pattinson] bowled with pace and aggression. It was a great game to be involved in.”
"Personally, I try to create energy with Clarkey [Joe Clarke] and Ducky [Ben Duckett] behind the stumps and, as a keeper, it is a role you try and take on. You are the drummer in the band. You want to marshall the troops and bring the intensity.
“With the bat I have had some starts but haven’t been able to kick that on yet, that’s the way it goes sometimes. I feel like I’ve got a big score around the corner.”
And the opportunity to lock horns with Derbyshire provides added motivation for the players as the sides meet for the first of five First-Class, List A or T20 fixtures over the course of the season.
With the homegrown talent at Notts’ disposal, the full squad are well aware of the importance of the rivalry, and are looking to translate a closeness in the dressing room to a result on the pitch.
“Everyone knows where their role is at the moment, on and off the field. We have loads of different characters and personalities and everyone has gelled really well,” he said.
“We have a lot of people who have been around the club for a long time. With the likes of Fletch [Luke Fletcher], Franksy [Paul Franks], Broady [Stuart Broad], we see a lot of people who have grown up knowing what this game means.
“Because of those senior heads in the dressing room, that importance filters through - someone like Jimmy would get to know quickly what it is all about and will buy into it.”
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