2008 Season Preview: Nottinghamshire

[b]Continuing our series of county previews, here is an assessment of Nottinghamshire's chances in 2008.

[/b][b]2007 in a Nutshell:[/b]
A more than satisfactory season given a lengthy spell where 6 seamers were injured, leaving Notts scraping around other counties for stand ins. Without all the injuries, a title might have been possible but promotion was more than acceptable. Key performances were from David Hussey and Stephen Fleming (second half of the season) with Samit Patel finally forcing a regular place in the side after some consistently high scores in the seconds. In the bowling department, Ryan Sidebottom proved what Notts fans already knew, that he would do a sterling job for England, ably backed by Charlie Shrek. Perhaps one of the more unexpected successes was Mark Wagh, who was expected by many to simply be a filler, but turned out to be a consistently high performer.

[b]2008 Prospects:
[/b]Whilst Notts knew that they would be without Ryan Sidebottom for most of the season, few expected Stuart Broad, our new signing, to be selected as a regular too at such short notice prior to the start of the new season. This left Notts with only really Charlie Shrek as a key wicket taker, putting them in a precarious position. The signing of Darren Pattinson just a few weeks before to the start of the season has given fans hope that we may survive in the top division though he is a bit of an unknown quantity. As a swing bowler though, he may well have some success in our cloudy country. With David Hussey joining the controversial IPL and being selected by the Aussies, it looks at though Notts overseas player for the year will be Adam Voges, who looks a useful signing. Whilst new Notts Captain Chris Read has stated that they will be chasing a title, I think Notts fans would be satisfied with a mid table position this year.

[b]Batting:[/b]
For a few seasons now, one of Notts problems has been lack of consistency of the opening batsman, often leaving the likes of Pieterson and Hussey to bail us out lower down the order. After the popular Darren Bicknell finally hung up his boots (and often picked up his pint at Trent Bridge), it could only be a matter of time before we said farewell to Jason Gallian too as he departs to Essex. Bicknell’s replacement, Will Jefferson, performed well last season though suffered a few injuries but looks a good signing. It remains to be seen whether Gallian’s replacement, Matthew Wood, can do the same. It’s hoped that Mark Wagh can carry last seasons form through and that Samit Patel continues to improve. If he does, it can’t be too long before he also strengthens England whilst further depleting Notts ! Of course, the big ‘downer’ this year is the loss of David Hussey to the IPL. With him now being called up by the Aussies too, it looks unlikely we will see him this season though hopefully his replacement, Adam Voges, will fill the role of the Huss.

This season is probably also important for Bilal Shafayat, who only a few years ago was being feted as an England player but now struggles to break into the first team. Whilst undoubtedly talented, this could be his make or break year.

[b]Bowling:[/b]
As mentioned earlier, this is the key area for Notts this season. With the batting line up looking reasonably strong, most Notts fans last year probably felt that if we could get a good replacement for Sidebottom, we would be in with a shot of the title, so when Stuart Broad was signed, that looked done and dusted. However, with his call up and the possibility of losing Graeme Swann for a few games too, it left the bowling with just Charlie Shrek to open, backed by the steady Mark Ealham who must surely now be in his last season, Paul Franks who can take wickets but so inconsistent, AJ Harris who must also be near the end of his career and Mark Footit, who looks a promising youngster but has suffered injuries and has yet to deliver. A couple of local youngsters have also been signed but probably too soon for them.

When Broad was called up late on, this left the management with little time to find a replacement and finally Grimsby born Aussie Darren Pattinson was signed. An unknown,who plays in Victoria with David Hussey and is a swing bowler which could work at Notts. A bit of an unknown, but could be the difference between staying in the division or not.

[b]Probable side:
[/b]Championship
Jefferson
Wood
Wagh
Voges
Patel
Read
Broad (Franks when Broad not available)
Swann
Ealham
Sidebottom (Pattinson when Sid not available)
Shrek

Also looking to break into the side are Mark Footit, Bilal Shafayat, AJ Harris, Rob Ferley and possible a couple of youngsters

One-day and Twenty20
Swann
Jefferson
Shafayat
Wagh
Voges
Patel
Read
Broad (Franks when Broad not available)
Ealham
Sidebottom (Pattinson when Sid not available)
Shrek

Without Hussey, Sidebottom and Broad, it’s unlikely that Notts will have a deal of success in the 20/20 and will probably be mid table in the one day game. As with the County Championship, I suspect most fans will be satisfied with some decent performances and a mid table position.

[b]Key Man:[/b]
It has to be Darren Pattinson. Whilst our batting looks fairly solid, if Pattinson fails to perform, Notts will struggle to take the wickets needed to win games.

[b]Rising Star:
[/b]Samit Patel .. After a great first season last year where he performed so consistently it felt like he’d always been in the side, he needs to continue his form and an England call up can’t be too far away, though probably not this year. Mark Footit also, a fast bowler but injuries and inconsistency have blighted him… a bit of an unknown for now.

[b]Captain and Coach:[/b]
Although, like all managers, Mick Newell has come in for some stick, on the whole, the fans seem to be behind him. A shrewd manager rather than an outspoken one, Mick quietly seems to get on with building a winning side. The only doubt sometimes expressed is whether he has what it takes when things aren’t going well, to turn things around.