Nottinghamshire were finally back in training yesterday after a largely frustrating summer of lockdown but spirits were good as the boys headed back to Trent Bridge with Ben Slater saying “It’s been almost like going back to school”.

The former Derbyshire batsman now 28 said he felt “excited, but strange” with him stating “walking under the stand this morning, knowing Trent Bridge is a very special place to play I feel lucky to back really”.

Beaming like a Cheshire Cat when asked if happy to be back he said “I’m excited to get this month underway and its nice to hit a few balls”. Slater said “I’ve seen a couple of the lads on the golf course but it’s the closest we’ve got, it’s nice just to be back around normal life and seeing the lads”.

With a month to go until the likely start of the delayed and shortened season Slater said “having three months off we’ve got quite a bit of work now in trying to get us back to where we were at the start of pre-season when we were all in really good shape”.

Another player happy with the return to training was one that only signed for Nottinghamshire earlier in the year. Tom Barber who joined from Middlesex in January has also been frustrated with the delay to the season stating “the last three months have really been quite tough” saying “I’ve had good days and bad days where sometimes I thought we might not even be playing at all so it’s amazing to be back”.

The club have today learned that next season (2021) they will be able to field two overseas players in first class counties matches including the County Championship and Royal One Day Cup which brings the selection policy in line with that of the Vitality Blast T20 teams who are already able to choose two overseas ‘unqualified’ players.

Finally as the club reflects on the sad death of 50’s and 60’s all-round legend John Springall who has passed away aged 87, all at Nottinghamshire would like to pass on their condolences to John’s family and friends and would also like to wish a very happy Birthday to another legend of the Bridge in Sir Richard Hadlee who is 68 today.

Whilst Springall scored 5,176 runs and took 80 wickets in his eight seasons at Notts, New Zealander Hadlee famously took 622 wickets in ten years at Trent Bridge whilst totting up 5,854 runs along the way in first class matches, as well as scoring 2,951 runs and 231 wickets in 160 list A games.

Two iconic legends that will be forever loved and remembered.

*Main image @TrentBridge the Notts players back in Trent Bridge in socially distanced training.