ESPNcricinfo previews Nottinghamshire’s prospects for the 2017 season
George Dobell02-Apr-2017Last season:
In: Ben Kitt, Billy Root, Jack Blatherwick
Out: Will Gidman (Kent), James Taylor (retired), Sam Wood (released)
Overseas: Daniel Christian (Aus, T20), Ish Sodhi (NZ, T20), James Pattinson (Aus, April-June)2016 in a nutshell
Bitterly disappointing. Perhaps unsettled by the trauma of James Taylor’s illness in the opening days of the season, Nottinghamshire underperformed dramatically as they finished bottom of Division One in the Championship and failed to progress from the group stages in the Royal London Cup. While their T20 campaign contained much to admire, they were eventually undone at the semi-final stage by a Ben Duckett-inspired Northants. It was, in general, the batting that let Notts down. They failed to win a Championship match after April 13 – the first game of the season – and no other side in either division suffered as many as their nine losses. It wasn’t all grim: Jake Ball, with an immaculate length and a yard of extra pace, bowled as well as anyone in the country and both Steven Mullaney and Harry Gurney enjoyed decent seasons, but for a squad as talented as this to find themselves at the bottom of the table could only be considered a significant underachievement. Mick Newell, coach since 2002, announced he would cede first-team responsibility to Peter Moores and move into the more strategic director of cricket role.2017 prospects
Anything less than promotion must be considered unacceptable. An attack that will, for a few weeks at the start of the season, include Stuart Broad, Ball and James Pattinson (who replaces the injured Peter Siddle as overseas player until the end of June) and a batting line-up set to be boosted by the return of Alex Hales (now in the middle order) for much of the season really should be strong enough to dominate in Division Two. A few senior batsmen, notably Michael Lumb, have something of a point to prove after modest 2016 campaigns and, with the likes of Billy Root and Tom Moores pushing for more opportunity, it might prove to be a season of transition for the top order. Ben Kitt and Jack Blatherwick are young seamers with pace and time on their side.In charge
The evidence of Moores’ approach is already apparent in a squad that looks noticeably fitter than it has for some time. While Moores was a batting consultant last year – and it was the batting that let Notts down – this is the first season in which he has had the opportunity to create his own team environment. Luke Fletcher and Brendan Taylor have both shed significant amounts of weight and, under the guidance of physio James Pipe (the former keeper who has joined from Derbyshire), the squad have been working to improve their fielding – throwing, in particular – which, judged by the highest standards, has been modest in recent years. Paul Franks is the new assistant coach, with Ant Botha having joined primarily to look after the 2nd XI. Chris Read, in his final season, has been persuaded by Moores to continue as club captain, though it is anticipated that Dan Christian will lead in T20.Key player
Top-order batting at Trent Bridge has been demanding for several years. But Mullaney was good enough to make 1000 Championship runs in the top division last year and will have a valuable role to play if Notts are to win promotion this year. While he might lack the England pedigree of some of his colleagues, he has the technique to cope with the new ball, can contribute with bat and ball in limited-overs cricket and drives as pleasingly as anyone in the county game. If Notts’ middle-order are to prosper, they will rely on the solid starts provided by Mullaney.Bright young thing
Luke Wood hardly played last year and may struggle to find a place this season. But he is a gifted left-arm swing bowler who, aged only 21, could make rapid strides in the game if he can force his way into a side blessed with outstanding seam bowling depth. He can bat, too. Jake Libby, a batsman who bowls offspin, is another worth watching. He has enjoyed a good pre-season in Barbados and is one who could solve Notts’ problem at the top of the order.ESPNcricinfo verdict
A squad as talented as this should never have found itself in Division Two and shouldn’t stay there for long. There will be disruption caused by England calls, but Notts have the depth to cope better than most. Strong favourites for promotion and likely to prove dangerous in the white-ball formats.Bet365 odds: Specsavers Championship: 7-4; NatWest Blast: 8-1; Royal London Cup: 12-1
