Many an overseas player have embraced Trent Bridge as their home away from home.

After six months of turning out on their ‘home’ soil, Southern Hemisphere recruits such as Stephen Fleming and Andre Adams through to, most recently, Dan Christian, have forged long associations with the Green and Golds.

The latest in that line is Dane Paterson, a man who has already ingratiated himself to the Nottinghamshire faithful.

The South African seamer signed a fresh, two-year deal in October, but already has his sights set on a much longer association with the club.

“It's my home away from home,” said Paterson.

“Hopefully I can keep coming back again and again but ultimately that is up to me and putting the right numbers on the board.

“I am looking forward to getting stuck in again, this time in Division One, which is a new challenge that I am relishing.”

Following a false start in 2020, in which injury ruled him out of his prospective spell at Trent Bridge, the 33-year-old has amassed 110 wickets in First-Class matches alone.

In 2022, a season in which he notched 75 scalps in total, he reached three figures in the wickets column in just his 21st match, a feat not achieved in that timespan for Nottinghamshire since Franklyn Stephenson in 1988.

Whilst not normally a man to set goals for himself, he does have an eye on one particular number in 2023.

“To get 50 wickets in Division One would be special,” said Paterson.

“I don’t normally set goals but to go better than last season would be a plus.

“We’ll see how things go, if I get close to any milestones I’ll give it a push.

“Whatever happens I’ll be giving it my all for the club.”

“I am looking forward to getting stuck in again, this time in Division One, which is a new challenge that I am relishing.”

A bowler known for his smooth action and ability to bowl long spells, Paterson seems to get harder to face for opposition with each innings that passes.

It will be music to the ears of Nottinghamshire fans then that he has enjoyed a full South African summer with Western Province, his 17 wickets coming at an average of below 20.

“My last three four-day games in South Africa I notched up some good overs with the ball and Shiney was quite happy with that,” said Paterson.

“We started off the season with a block of red-ball before I had a break in December and January.

“It was nice to have that break, spend some time with my family and rest and recuperate before a long summer ahead.”