Jack Haynes extolled the virtues of valuable preparation time after hitting a confident half-century on Day One of Nottinghamshire’s pre-season outing against Leicestershire.
Haynes struck 76 on his first outing of the year in England, combining effectively with Joe Clarke to underpin a Green and Gold total of 263 at Grace Road.
“It’s an extension of our time in Abu Dhabi, transferring from there back to English conditions, which is valuable,” he said.
“It’s important to expose ourselves to these conditions again, with the ball moving around a bit more, because while going away is brilliant, it doesn’t replicate what you get here.
“It was nice to face a few balls out in the middle, go through a few new things, and work my way through an innings again, which feels nice.”
Conditions in particular were challenging at times on the opening day in Leicester, with several deliveries bouncing high and some others keeping low.
However, Haynes praised the surface on the whole, believing there were no particular demons within, and noting that it offered a good battle between bat and ball.
“It was a little bit two-paced,” Haynes said, “but credit to the ground staff, they’ve produced a good pitch for the time of year, when you consider the weather that can be around.
“There was a little bit in it for the bowlers, so hopefully we’ll be able to expose that tomorrow, when I’m looking forward to going out and fielding with the lads!”