Ben Slater’s ever-presence in Nottinghamshire’s side over the last four years is quite rightly justified by his adaptability.
The left-hander has the skills to handle most scenarios - 12 fifties and five tons in the last four years attest to that fact - and his ability to move around the order, as he has done in recent seasons, has made him an even greater asset to Peter Moores.
That role is one the 32-year-old is becoming increasingly comfortable with, and whilst Slater’s run scoring has flown under the radar of Nottinghamshire’s trio of double-centurions this season, his contributions and imperturbability at the crease serve the Green and Golds well.
He is included in an unchanged squad for Notts’ home Vitality County Championship fixture against Hampshire.
“At the start of the season I would have said I’d rather have opened because of the way I went at three last year,” Slater admitted, reflecting on his move to three to accommodate England opener Ben Duckett.
“But now, I am not really too fussed. Sometimes it is nice to have a few overs just to switch off, it allows you to refresh and now I’ve got my head around it, I’m not too worried where I bat.
“It doesn’t change how I approach things. The bowlers are on one, though. When you open, you find they are easing their way in a little bit. But after a wicket, their tails are up.”
Slater is Notts’ top scorer outside of Joe Clarke, Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett, who have each struck scores of over 200 this season.
His innings of 70 in a partnership of 133 with Clarke against Worcestershire put Notts on a positive footing on the first day of the fixture, while 65 in a stand of 146 with Duckett against Warwickshire saw the visitors well on the way to the four batting points ultimately accrued.
Contributions from across the board are especially pleasing, says Slater, and he believes competition for places is also having a positive effect on performances.
Tom Moores was reintroduced to the Notts line-up against Lancashire after hitting two tons for the Second XI, while Ben Martindale and Tom Loten join Moores in the top six run scorers in the Second XI Championship so far this season.
“Me and Jack [Haynes] are the only two who haven’t got tons yet but we’ve both got scores and contributed positively,” said Slater.
“We are in a good spot to have so many players scoring runs. Our form has dovetailed well - Clarkey started brilliantly, then Ducky got a double, and Has did well last week. If there are a couple of lads putting their hand up each week then we will be in a good place.
“The competition is keeping us on our toes. We know that if someone is doing well in the twos like Tom did, there is an opportunity to break back in. You have to work everyday to make sure your game is in a good place if you want to play first-team cricket. You can’t get complacent.
“If you haven’t scored the runs you might like, you know that there will be someone waiting in the wings. It helps to focus your mind and keep you on your game.”
Incidentally, Slater’s second innings score of 31 against Lancashire earned Nottinghamshire their first win of the season.
His near run-a-ball total eased the pressure as Notts chased 81 with little fuss.
It has moved the Green and Golds up to fourth in the Division One table, with two games remaining in the opening block of Vitality County Championship fixtures.
“The wicket was a bit tasty with the new ball, so when I went out I wanted to take any opportunities to score,” Slater said of his return against the Red Rose.
“I knew that if I got 30 or so quickly, we would be well on our way. Likewise, you saw how we went with the ball on the third day, if you’re under pressure it can be tough.
“I got those chances because they were searching for wickets, and I wanted to take advantage if there was any width.
“We said before the last game that if we could get a win it would turn the table around, and we’ve gone from eighth to fourth.
“Our target was to be up there after the first seven games and if we can get a positive result in one of these next two, we will be well on course.
“It probably does help that we are going about our business quietly. We’ve played well in patches in every game, and if we keep taking it session by session, and winning those individual moments, that’ll amount to results.”
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