2021 results:
Championship Division 1: 3rd
Vitality Blast North: Quarter-final
Royal London One Day Cup Group 2: 5th
Captains: Steven Mullaney (CC), Haseeb Hameed (RL), Dan Christian (T20)
Director of Cricket: Mike Newell
Head Coach: Peter Moores
Overseas: Dan Christian (AUS), Dane Paterson (SA), James Pattinson (AUS)
If results are anything to suggest, it’s not to take Division 2 lightly. Glamorgan defeated them by 7 wickets at Trent Bridge when Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne scored an unbeaten 50 as they chased down 166 for victory on day four less than a fortnight ago.
It’s the only blot on the copybook, however, as it’s apparent this Notts side is both measured in attack and potent with the ball.
Liam Patterson-White has emerged as a front-line spinner having already amassed 132.4 overs in just three matches, taking 18 wickets at an average of 15.11 in the process.
23-year-old Patterson-White has been an ever-present so far this campaign and his early-season form has seen him pick up five-wicket hauls against both Sussex and Durham.
It’s hard not to mention that stunning knock from Ben Slater against Durham, carrying his bat through the innings, scoring 225 from 445 balls that set his team up for an innings victory.
A match-defining 79* chasing 174 against Yorkshire in September 2021 helped cement his spot at the top of the order, a position that comes with serious competition.
Their top-order looks settled, Slater, Haseeb Hameed, Ben Duckett, and Joe Clarke epitomise runs, even with the tendency for Trent Bridge to produce seam-heavy wickets.
Former England man Duckett looks the most consistent with championship scores of 122, 95, and 54 in a matter of weeks, matched with pre-season scores of 61 and 77 against Loughborough UCCE.
Despite having one crack at the England role, 1,000 runs will be the minimum target for the former Northamptonshire batsman that will look to thrust himself back into the international spotlight.
Casting minds back to that famous 2017 County Championship season, a win at Trent Bridge was pivotal in that run-in.
Ed Barnard starred with 4-71 with the ball and 55 with the bat, but it was the irrepressible Joe Leach who was particularly impressive.
He took 5 wickets in Nottinghamshire’s second innings that left the Pears needing 226 for victory, a Notts batting order that included Jake Libby who made 34 and 44 with his two efforts.
Daryl Mitchell steered the ship with an unbeaten 139 to seal a famous win on East Midlands soil.
Worcestershire’s scintillating late-season form saw them win the title with a win over Durham, a match where Ravichandran Ashwin took seven wickets in the game.
LAST 5 MATCHES:
NOTTS won by an innings and 170 runs – 20/05/21
MATCH DRAWN – 22/4/21
MATCH DRAWN – 25/6/18
NOTTS won by an innings and 41 runs – 27/04/18
WORCS won by 8 wickets – 05/09/17
Led by the canny Steven Mullaney, this Notts side boasts an incredible amount of experience with 990 first-class appearances between the XI that beat Durham last week.
As much as this Notts side has quality and knowhow, the lesser-known Lyndon James offers an interesting option, a man who averages 36 with the bat, and 30 with the ball.
Interestingly, in his four times at the crease so far this season, he’s achieved an impressive 108, 63, 54, and 54* which proves he’s one to watch.
