Trent Bridge Annual Report 2018

MINUTES OF THE 2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 11 for the 2018 season. There were many highlights to reflect on, and numerous individual and team achievements of which to be very proud. The season started with a bowling attack of international quality, and this gave the team the impetus to win a lot of early games and get points in the bank, so that when things were tougher in September they were able to do enough to secure promotion with a typical farewell innings from retiring Captain Chris Read, and a maiden Specsavers County Championship century from Billy Root. In white ball cricket, the two finals days were memorable and exciting for good reasons. Alex Hales produced a fantastic innings at Lord’s to show what a wonderful batsman he was on the biggest occasion. At Edgbaston, so many players contributed across the two games, but Harry Gurney’s bowling and Samit Patel’s all-round efforts, even with two direct hit run outs, could be described as the stand outs, in Mr Newell’s opinion. Internationally, Stuart Broad, Jake Ball and Alex Hales continued to represent the Club at the highest level, and good wishes were sent to the players for the coming months. The challenge over the forthcoming years was to get more players to reach the top level of the game and was one the Club was keen to achieve, whilst, at the same time, making Nottinghamshire the best team it could be. Since the end of 2017, a number of experienced players had left the Club for different reasons. Brendan Taylor had returned to play international cricket for his country, Zimbabwe, leaving a big gap in the middle order, where he played several important innings in his three years. Greg Smith made an excellent contribution on a number of one- day occasions, and Michael Lumb had also provided runs, experience and knowledge across his six years with Nottinghamshire. Brett Hutton had moved to Northants to play white ball cricket more often than Notts could offer him – so he had moved for sound cricket reasons and went with the Club’s best wishes. Last, and certainly not least, Chris Read had moved on to a job as Head of Cricket at Uppingham School. He had been a wonderful cricketer and ambassador for Nottinghamshire over 20 years, up there with Rice and Hadlee for what he did for the Club. He was given a great send-off on a number of occasions in 2017. At a dinner organised by his Club friends, family and team-mates, at the end of season awards night, on his final day at Trent Bridge when players, staff and supporters gave him a fantastic ovation as he completed his final innings, and at Hove during his final match. The Club would continue to thank him for all he did at the pre-season lunch in April, and members would still see plenty of him in his part- time coaching role. Of course, that left vacancies in two key areas. Mr Newell wished Tom Moores all the best in the keeping role, and not comparing him with Chris would be the best thing everyone could do to allow him to grow into that position. Secondly, the Club also needed to find a new Club Captain for the first time since 2008. For that job the Club had turned to Steven Mullaney. Mullaney had impressed everyone with his desire to take on the job as well as his passion for Notts. He had the respect of the dressing room as a player and a person. He would get huge support from Peter Moores and Paul Franks, and Mr Newell was confident the members would be impressed by his leadership in four-day and 50-over cricket. Also new to the Club was Chris Nash, a very experienced batsman in all formats, and Paul Coughlin, an excellent all-rounder. Both would fill key roles in the side. Matt Milnes, a local lad who played his club cricket at Plumtree, would add to the stock of high-quality seamers needed in Division One. The Club continued to look to further strengthen the squad and would, hopefully have an overseas player announcement fairly soon. Mr Newell then briefly mentioned the situation regarding Alex Hales and his new contract to play white ball cricket only. This was purely his decision and one that the Club respected. As soon as he had informed the Club that this was his preferred option, the best deal was sought to retain him in two formats for the following two seasons. Finally, Mr Newell thanked the members for their continued Steven Mullaney named as Club Captain