Trent Bridge Annual Report 2018

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB 2018 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 22 willingness of our coaching team to give them first team opportunities – and I believe we have a coherent cricket strategy that will lead to a successful future. I would, meanwhile, like to express my thanks and best wishes to the departing quartet of Billy Root, Matt Milnes, RikiWessels andWill Fraine - all of whom have found contracts with other counties. Away from the domestic game, there could be no better way of starting our international summer than hosting a record-breaking one-day international victory for England over Australia. It’s always special when Nottingham- shire players excel in England colours atTrent Bridge, and Alex Hales’ 147 that day was spectacular. Although England couldn’t continue their winning heroics in the two matches that followed against India, both the ODI andTest saw excellent cricket played, in front of full houses, further enhancing our reputation for excellence in hosting premier international fixtures. The status ofTrent Bridge as an international venue and, most importantly, aTest Match ground is absolutely integral to our identity and future prosperity. “THE STATUS OF TRENT BRIDGE AS AN INTERNATIONAL VENUE AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, A TEST MATCH GROUND IS ABSOLUTELY INTEGRAL TO OUR IDENTITY AND FUTURE PROSPERITY.” Richard Tennant The award of major matches from 2020 to 2024 was, therefore, a key signpost for our future and we are delighted to have been awarded a strong package ofTest, ODI and InternationalT20 action, as well as becoming the home of the 50-over final from 2020 to 2024. The HostVenue Panel also confirmed us as one of the grounds to stage the new ‘Hundred’ competition. There has been much debate around the alternative possible structures for this tournament and all county chairmen have been involved in a great deal of discussion around the subject. What is without doubt is that cricket must widen its appeal, particularly to young people, or else see participation in the game reduce. The ECB put up a compelling and well researched case that the chosen format was the best route, if we were to grow our audience for the game. The enthusiasm for this was shared by the broadcasters, who signed up to a five-year contract that will provide financial stability for the whole of the cricketing pyramid and see our sport back on terrestrial television for the first time since the Ashes of 2005. The vote to go ahead with the new competition was ultimately passed by a sizeable majority. You will see in theTreasurer’s Report, meanwhile, that the Club England taking the field against India atTrent Bridge in 2018