Lyndon James is no stranger to embracing challenge, having muscled his way into Nottinghamshire’s first-team two years ago before settling into the Green and Golds’ middle order.

He is now tasked with battling the rigours of Division One cricket for the first time, and with Notts having registered his a win at home against Somerset, attention turns to Lord’s.

A 13-man squad has been named for the clash to face Middlesex, with Luke Fletcher and Tom Moores sidelined through injury.

James will be making his second visit to the Home of Cricket having been part of a side who drew at the same ground last year.

And having prised two wickets this season in his return to bowling, as well as spending time at the crease against Somerset, he is confident heading into the clash with an on-song team high in spirits.

“It’s obviously nice to get the first win on the board. It was a good all round team performance,” he said.

“The way Hass and Duckett batted in the first innings set it up for us really.  Then there was almost a bit of pressure to bowl well on a wicket like that and Brett bowled beautifully, swinging it both ways to get us ahead.

“On a personal note, to be bowling again is good because you feel like you can contribute a bit more. At the end of the day, I am an all-rounder and I want to offer with bat and ball.

The right-hander amassed 37 in Notts’ second innings against the West Country county, in a 50-ball vigil worth its weight in gold.

Having fallen victim to overseas seamers Kyle Abbott and Peter Siddle across his first three innings, time in the middle was all James needed to click into a rhythm.

“We are coming up against world class bowlers week in week out, and in April you have to accept you are probably not going to score as many runs as you might do later in the season.

“But you can’t panic, what I have done for the last couple of years has worked for me so why would I go away from that.

“That can be difficult and after three innings I felt a bit low, but you have to trust what you know. To get a few in the second innings is reassuring. The more time you spend at the crease, the more you feel in sync.”

And a visit to London to face a side with whom Notts gained promotion 2022 gives James even more reason to look forward, particualrly with Middlesex looking to avenge two defeats in their opening two games.

“We are buzzing that this game is at Lord’s, it is a very special place,” he said.

“They are a good side and they came up with us for a reason. We can’t take our foot off the gas; it is Division One so every match is tough.

“But it helps that we have last year to lean into, we will remember bits and bobs from playing them and it will be a similar team, so we will take confidence forward and try and put them under pressure.”

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