NCCC News: Dane Paterson

28/02

Pravda Communiqué

Dane Paterson will not return to Nottinghamshire in 2025 having signed a deal with Middlesex for the upcoming season. 

A popular figure at Trent Bridge, Paterson took 180 First-Class wickets in 45 games for Nottinghamshire in First-Class cricket, averaging 23.25. 

He took 50 wickets in consecutive seasons (2022/2023), with his return resulting in a recall to his national team last year. 

Those Test match commitments with South Africa, combined with paternity leave, saw the seamer play eight games in 2024, taking 20 wickets.

“Whilst obviously I’m sad not to be returning to Trent Bridge after what has been an amazing four years, I’ll always treasure the time I’ve spent there,” Paterson said.

“It quickly became a home away from home for me and I made friendships in the dressing room which I’m sure will last a lifetime. 

“On the pitch, my game went from strength to strength and it was rewarding to get the wickets I did over three seasons. I must pay tribute to Kevin Shine and my teammates for helping me in that regard.

“I always gave my all, and I am grateful to the members and supporters for their backing during my time at the club. 

“I’d like to thank Mick, Lisa and Pete for giving me the opportunity to represent Notts as well as my wife for her incredible support, raising our two kids while I was away and putting in performances for the club; for that I will be forever grateful. 

“I look forward to catching up with all those at Notts again when the opportunity allows.”

Paterson began his Notts’ career on a high, claiming a stunning catch on the boundary at the Incora County Ground as the Green and Golds broke their County Championship hoodoo in 2021. 

He claimed his first of seven Notts five-fers three fixtures later against Warwickshire, with best figures of 8-52 versus Worcestershire in 2022 as Nottinghamshire lifted the Division Two trophy. 

“We are hugely grateful to Dane for what he’s achieved in his time with Nottinghamshire,” Director of Cricket, Mick Newell, said. 

“He was returning from injury when he first joined us but quickly realised his potential, working well with Kevin Shine and the rest of the bowling group.

"He wore his heart on his sleeve and was a great teammate over three years, providing us with countless memories.

“We wish him well for the coming season and beyond.”

Nottinghamshire's overseas signings for the upcoming red-ball season include seamers Fergus O'Neill and Mohammad Abbas, while Kyle Verreynne is also set to return.

26/02

So Calvin Harrison will be parading with Trent R*ckets this summer. If that's what you want, tickets are now on sale to members priced FROM £16.

24/02

At the AGM we were informed that Luke Fletcher had found employment, as bowling coach to The Blaze. He'd previously had a stink in a similar role at Chris Read's Lancashire Thunder.

20/02

HOLY MOISES!

Experienced Australian Moises Henriques has joined Notts Outlaws for the 2025 Vitality Blast. 

The Sydney Sixers captain boasts an impressive T20 record across 282 games in the format, having scored over 5,000 runs - including 26 fifties - and taken 119 wickets.

He has twice led his domestic side to the Big Bash League title having made more appearances than anyone else in the competition, while only three players have scored more runs. 

And the big question: is Moises the first Portugal born player to represent Nottinghamshire?

Alex Hales becomes first player to turn back on English game after new rules

Former Nottinghamshire and England batsman, 36, is in demand with T20 franchises around the world

Will Macpherson

T20 World Cup winner Alex Hales has effectively ended his career in English domestic cricket in order to pursue a freelance career in overseas leagues.

Hales, who turned 36 last month, will not play in the Vitality Blast for Nottinghamshire, who he has represented since 2008, or in the Hundred for Trent Rockets in 2025, after agreeing a multi-club deal with the subsidiary teams of Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, in the United States and the Caribbean.

Hales’s links to English cricket have been reducing since he retired from international cricket in 2023, and last year he missed half of Notts’ Blast campaign in order to fulfil a lucrative contract in the Lanka Premier League.

Following changes to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s regulations around no-objection certificates (NOCs) – the crucial piece of documentation a cricketer needs to play overseas – Hales was unable to play in any competitions that clashed with the Blast or Hundred unless he gave up his contracts in both of those tournaments. While it is understood he was open to a similar arrangement to last summer, he effectively had to chose whether he was in or out. He chose the latter.

So he will represent LA Knight Riders in Major League Cricket (which runs from mid-June to mid-July, clashing with the Blast) and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (which starts on August 14, clashing with the Hundred). Between times, Hales may yet return to Sri Lanka’s LPL.

Hales has relocated to Dubai with his wife, who is South African, although that would not have stopped him playing in the Blast or the Hundred. In an interview with Telegraph Sport last month, Hampshire’s James Vince revealed that he was retiring from first-class cricket due to not being eligible to work as many days in the UK having moved to Dubai following attacks on his family home. This was not an issue for Hales, who has not played a County Championship match since 2017.

Hales’s new arrangement is only in place for this summer at this stage, and Hales said: “Hopefully [I] will be able to return at some point in the future.” But, given his age, that is unlikely to happen any time soon unless ECB regulations around NOCs change.

“The last 17 years playing at Trent Bridge for Notts have been an absolute pleasure, and it remains my favourite place in the world to play cricket,” Hales added. “Some of my best memories have come in a Notts shirt, and some of my closest friendships in the game have been made in that home dressing room.

“I will never forget the support that has always been shown to me by the club, team-mates and supporters during my time at Notts.

“Having spent more and more time playing around the world in recent years, heading back to Trent Bridge has always been something I’ve looked forward to. But given the current landscape of the global game, as well as having recently moved abroad, unfortunately I won’t be able to return this season.

“I’ll be supporting the boys from afar and hopefully will be able to return at some point in the future.”

This is the latest chapter in a colourful and at times controversial career. Hales was at the vanguard of England’s white-ball rebirth in 2015 and scored memorable centuries in both their world-record ODI scores at Trent Bridge (against Pakistan in 2016 and Australia in 2018). He even played 11 Test matches in 2015 and 2016.

But his involvement in Ben Stokes’s Bristol incident in 2017, then a ban for a failed drugs test in 2019, put the skids on his international career. He was thrown out of England’s 2019 World Cup squad and remained an exile until 2022, when he was recalled to replace the injured Jonny Bairstow for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Opening with captain Jos Buttler, he helped England win the title.

Hales has remained a remarkably consistent run-scorer and is in demand with franchises around the world. Approaching 500 matches in the format, Hales now sits second on the all-time T20 runs chart with 13,610, behind only Chris Gayle, who made 14,562.

Meanwhile, in better news for the English game, Middlesex and Lord’s-based Hundred team London Spirit have confirmed that the New Zealand legend Kane Williamson will join them next summer. He will represent Middlesex in both the Blast and the County Championship, where he could play up to seven games.

Why has this happened?

Hales is in demand on the lucrative global franchise circuit. Changes to the ECB’s NOC policy meant he had to choose between playing in England or overseas in the months of June, July and August, or playing abroad. He chose the latter.

Is the ECB to blame?

Yes and no. The new NOC policy is well-intentioned and designed to protect English competitions such as the Blast and Hundred. Hales and players of his ilk are undoubtedly a loss to both competitions, but the ECB probably sees this as worthwhile collateral as the rules keep more players in England than they lose.

Could more players follow?

This route is open to any player who would like to pursue it, although only a couple are sought-after enough in franchise cricket to be offered the contracts that make it worthwhile.

17/02

NO HALES IN 2025

The phenomenon that is Alex Hales will not be returning to Notts Outlaws in 2025, opting not to sign a new contract in England for either Outlaws or the Trent Rockets.

What Pravda have failed to mention

What Pravda did say:

Alex Hales will not play in the 2025 Vitality Blast, after 17 consecutive summers in Nottinghamshire colours.

The opener has amassed over 13,000 runs across all formats for Notts since making his debut in 2008, claiming five trophies during that time.

He is the Outlaws' all-time leading T20 run-scorer, with 4,825 runs in the format, while his 25 centuries for Nottinghamshire include an unbeaten 187 in the 2017 One Day Cup Final - a record score in a Lord's showpiece - as the Outlaws claimed the first half of a white-ball double.

“The last 17 years playing at Trent Bridge for Notts have been an absolute pleasure, and it remains my favourite place in the world to play cricket,” he said.

“Some of my best memories have come in a Notts shirt, and some of my closest friendships in the game have been made in that home dressing room.

“I will never forget the support that has always been shown to me by the club, teammates and supporters during my time at Notts.

“Having spent more and more time playing around the world in recent years, heading back to Trent Bridge has always been something I’ve looked forward to. But given the current landscape of the global game as well as having recently moved abroad, unfortunately I won’t be able to return this season.

“I’ll be supporting the boys from afar, and hopefully will be able to return at some point in the future.”

Hales' exploits for his county earned him international recognition across all formats. He won 156 England caps, hit centuries in each of England's ODI world-record breaking innings at Trent Bridge, and became a T20 world champion in 2022.

He sits second on the list of all-time T20 run-scorers, with no Englishman having amassed more than his 13,610 career runs in the format.

"Alex has undoubtedly been one of our most dynamic players of recent times, and it has been a pleasure to see him fulfil his talent in a Notts shirt and on the international stage,” said Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

"What has been most impressive about his time with Notts is how he has adapted his natural expansive game to all formats.

“His red-ball record was very strong, and his ability to deliver consistent returns in the game's most volatile short formats shouldn't be underestimated - while that match-winning innings at Lord’s in the 50-over final was one of the finest knocks I’ve ever witnessed, especially considering the magnitude of the occasion.

"Both his life and the global cricketing landscape have changed immeasurably since he made his debut 18 years ago. We appreciate the challenge he has faced in balancing his personal life, having recently married his South African fiancee and moved abroad, with the opportunities that a player of his calibre earns across the globe.

"While he won't be joining us this summer, we are by no means closing the door on him making a return to Notts at some stage in the future, and his achievements mean he will forever have a place in Trent Bridge history."

07/02

The General Takes Charge in the Metro

Not Before Time

Could this be the start of the overdue transition and exit of the current head coach?

Nottinghamshire’s Assistant Head Coach Paul Franks will take on Head Coach responsibilities for this summer’s Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Franks, who enjoyed a 20-year playing career with his home county, moved into a leadership role with the Second XI in 2013, leading the side to the Championship title in 2015 before officially retiring at the end of that summer.

In the winter of 2016, the Mansfield-born all-rounder became the club’s Assistant Head Coach, a role he has served in ever since.

During that time, the Outlaws have claimed T20 titles in 2017 and 2020, won the One-Day Cup in 2017 and earned promotion to Division One as champions in 2022.

Franks will continue as assistant for this summer’s Rothesay County Championship and Vitality Blast campaigns, before stepping into the lead role for a 50-over competition which concludes with a final at Trent Bridge.

“It’s an exciting prospect to have this different level of responsibility and a chance to look at things slightly differently,” he said.

“That incentive of a home final is there for us to grab - you never know how many times you’ll have an opportunity like that as a player, so you have to try and take it. But we have to earn the right to compete in a game of that magnitude.

“I’ll ask our players to be excited about playing for Notts, and to aim high. There will be competition for places, so there’ll be tough decisions to be made, but I want lads to feel that they’ve got to work to earn a place in our side.

“We want to compete, we want to maintain that connection with the people that come to watch us, and we’ll do what we can to create something that will last long in the memory.”

Prior to his elevation to the Assistant Head Coach role at Notts, Franks spent time as Assistant Coach for the UAE’s national side during the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

He returned to the nation in 2021 to coach with Team Abu Dhabi in the T10 League, and was part of Andy Flower’s Trent Rockets backroom team between 2021 and 2024, winning the competition in 2022.

Alongside fellow Trent Bridge alumnus Bilal Shafayat, he led Central Punjab to Pakistan’s domestic 50-over title in 2023.

“After almost 30 years at Trent Bridge, Paul knows the club and its culture better than almost anyone else – and crucially, he understands the standards required of a Nottinghamshire cricketer,” said Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

“In both on and off-field roles, we’re keen to help people to develop and move forwards in their professional careers, and Paul has earned this opportunity to take the next step as a leader within our setup.

“With the likes of Kevin Shine and Ant Botha supporting him, our 50-over side will benefit from an experienced coaching team as they look to return to the knockout stages.”

06/02

NOTTS FINALLY GET THEIR MAN

Pakistan international Mohammad Abbas has signed for Nottinghamshire, and will be available for six fixtures in the Rothesay County Championship.

The right-armer, who has 755 First-Class wickets to his name at an average of 20.62, will begin his stint in May, following the conclusion of Fergus O'Neill's month-long spell with the side.

He will then return to the club in September for the closing stages of the Rothesay County Championship season.

Abbas joins fellow seamer O'Neill and South Africa international Kyle Verreynne in agreeing terms as an overseas player for the upcoming red-ball campaign, with Conor McKerr (three-year contract) and Daniel Sams (Blast) having also joined the club ahead of the new season.

“Trent Bridge is a special place to play cricket, so it will be great to call the ground home this summer - especially after not being able to come over and play for Notts five years ago,” he said.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in the English game, and the squad at Notts is in an exciting place.

“There’s a good blend of young talent and senior players who’ve been around for a while and know their game really well, and I’m looking forward to contributing in any way that I can to their success.”

Abbas originally agreed to join Nottinghamshire for the 2020 season, before the Covid-19 pandemic left him unable to represent the club that summer.

In subsequent years, the 34-year-old has represented Hampshire, taking 180 wickets at 19.07 across four summers in Southampton, with successive 50-wicket seasons in 2022 and 2023.

His First-Class form has led to a recall to the Pakistan Test side in recent weeks, with his two appearances against South Africa this winter among 30 caps in red and white-ball formats.

In total, Abbas has 101 international wickets, while his domestic record also includes 79 wickets for Leicestershire between 2018 and 2019.

“Players of Mo’s experience and track record don’t come around all that often, so we’re really excited about what he can bring to us this summer,” said Head Coach Peter Moores.

“His control and his ability to find a way of getting wickets on any sort of surface make him extremely valuable; he’s certainly been a tough opponent for us to face over the years.

“We’ve already got an exciting group of bowlers at our disposal for the summer, and the addition of Mo’s craft and subtlety will add a different style of bowling to the rest of our attack.”

05/02

Tomorrow sees the start of the Legend 90 League 2025 in Raipur, India.

See here

Games will be of a 90 ball format - so F15 as you might label it, which is much catchier that the flavour of hour's The S16.2 which is getting all of the attention at the moment.

There's, as the competition's name suggests, a number old has-beens included in the sides., including a number of former Notts Outlaws. How many can you spot?

03/02

Richard Hadlee tale - I don't know how you [Andy Easom] would have stumbled across recording but cheers for putting in the public domain. It's worth a listen.

02/02

Just Desserts

Joe Clarke, whilst playing within the rules, committed one of those sins* that ought to be made illegal on a cricket field.

Batting but struggling to get the ball away, towards the end of his latest desert slogfest T20 game, Joe Clarke decided to retire out for 29(22 balls). In the next 8 deliveries his side lost three more wickets while scoring just 2 runs. His side lost by 26 runs.

* Nottsview's consistent opinion regardless of player, team or circumstances

31/01

There's no denying its existence. You can't even disguise it. The white elephant, the under-utilised carbuncle that resides on top of the media centre in the Radcliffe Road stand otherwise known as Restaurant Six (not that fits the definition of a restaurant as it doesn't serve food to paying diners), Lisa'a Folly has found more booze to flog off if that's your cup of tea....

Restaurant Six will be shining a light on its finest whiskies on the evening of Thursday 24 April, featuring insight from Balvenie's resident expert. Getting underway with a reception from 7pm, guests will be treated to four handpicked whiskies and a selection of complimentary nibbles. Limited spaces are available - book your spot below.

SOLD OUT 

Beware the Ides of March as the drone guys will be back at Trent Bridge, wind permitting, this time the theme is the Wizard of Oz. No spoilers but there will be a bit of wind in some shape or form and perhaps a 16-0 scoreline.

But maybe those moneybags members will be here

29/01

Trent Rock*t Fixtures Here 2025

5-fer Farhan but he can't force a win

27/01

Olly Stone

26/01

Farhan 90 for England u19

25/01

Notts Set For Abu Dhabi Jolly Again you can join them too.

Why not, it produced good results the last time didn't it. Oh wait and minute...

23/01

Something you haven't read on Pravda: After five wins on the bounce, in the first of the knock-out stages, The Moores Stars crashed out of the Big Bash. Pravda had gone out of its way to send plaudits of the string of five victories, inspired by the performances Mr Maxwell mainly.

Alex Hales and Joe Clarke continue to perform fair-average with just a couple of fifties between them in the past week or so, in the desert of the UAE franchise competition where if there were trees, then Olly Stone wouldn't be ripping them up either. In shout, nothing to shout about, so Pravda have been silent.

Silent is what Chair Hunt and the CEO have been about the progress of discussions about the sell-off by the ECB of the summer- they had promised to keep us informed...

20/01

At Trent Bridge obviously...

Unless you're buying for a group of people, I'm not seeing any substantial incentive to give Trent Bridge your money before match days, certainly not three months (with interest) in advance.

If you were that keen, you'd have bought a membership or Blast Pass, surely.

If you were looking at the weather as a factor for attending or not, a two pound saving buys you very little at Trent Bridge, so why would you bother? Is that the cost of an out of date scorecard for this season?

If you have an alternative spin on this pricing structure, please share it.

Zak Bess Returns after Liam Price Departs

19/01

Cue Pravda "momentum spiel"

LLLLLWWWWWL

It's amazing what Christmas did for the Moores Stars' fortunes, perhaps we can have Christmas in May too.

What's Maxwell doing for the Blast in 2025?

19/01

ALL'S MAX-WELL THAT ENDS WELL FOR PETER?

Veteren head coach Peter Moores' Stars have knock-out stages qualification within their own power to reach, even with the worst net run rate of their competitors after a dismal run of results before the New Year. Just a point will clinch fourth spot. No Duckett but an inform Maxwell does.

And so it proved.

17/01

Last year they managed successfully to clear some of the whiskey stocks from the Radcliffe Road White Elephant, so this year it's the gin stocks...

Pravda shamelessly says:

Our sixth-floor spirit library will host a voyage of discovery on Thursday 13 February, as the gin geniuses from Hendrick's serve up cocktails designed to delight. A selection of the celebrated Scottish distillery's finest gins will form the basis of a host of creative concoctions, with guests treated to four cocktails, insight from the experts and a selection of nibbles. Our intimate evening event commences at 7pm on 13 February. Limited spaces are available - book your spot below.

14/01

Thankfully no Notts players were drafted today.

12/01

Joe Clarke, Alex Hales and Tumblina Moores are included in the PSL draft

Games in this franchise league are to be played during April and May.

All of this whilst Olly Stone is blocked from that competition.

10/01

Pravda Situations Vacant

08/01

Farhan selected for U19s

06/01

Player Census

As Dan Christian substitutes for our New Dan for the Thunderers (as I type), ponder this: at the last Members' Forum, Mr Newell and Mr Moores were both beating the drum and trumpeting the successes of the Nottinghamshire Youth Player Pathway, like a two man band and in deed the breakthrough of Freddie and Farhan in the latter parts of the 2024 season was an occurence to celibrate for all Nottinghamshire supporters. 

Homegrown players are always a delight for home supporters to watch and to see how they develop over time. It's a pity that Fateh had to find opportunities elsewhere.

If you read this players census you will discover that Nottinghamshire is actually falling behind its competitors and the retaining our young talent does appear to be as much a problem as getting talent through the system in the first place. 

Mr Newell is responsible for the Player Pathway and is also is the negotiator at the sharp end of player contract discussions. Mr Moores as well as the captain(s) is responsible for giving (or not) opportunities to the young hopefuls. Now, if we were a successful county, winning trophies or finishing runners-up in at least one competition each year, there might be an argument in favour of the way Nottinghamshire is currently being operated, but we are not being successful in anyway other than providing players ready for the England system. Is it any surprise that Farhan made his England Lions debut before he made his Nottinghamshire senior debut? If you were to point a stick at those responsible for Nottinghamshire failures over the past 5 years, where would it be directed?

Moores' supporters will point out that Outlaws won the Covid Blast in 2020... but only with the help of Dan Christian.

As for Coach Dan Christian, he is currently doing exceptionally well for an old guy. It just shows the lack of talent coming through the Franchise model if Sydney Thunder have to fall back on someone that was largely overlooked when he was in his prime, now that he is almost spent. Let's not adopt the franchise model in England eh, as it's difficult enough already for youngsters at some locations already!

Broken shoulder, nose for fielder in MBBL collision.
PTG Editor.

Sunday, 5 January 2024.

PTG 4726-22686.

Cameron Bancroft broke his nose and shoulder when he collided with Sydney Thunder team-mate Daniel Sams during their Men's Big Bash League match against Perth Scorchers on Friday (PTG 4725-22677, 4 January 2025).  The pair were also both concussed after clashing heads when they ran into each other trying to take a catch, Sams eventually being carried off on a mobile stretcher. while Bancroft was able to walk off the ground despite blood pouring from his nose.  The pair were replaced by Ollie Davies and Hugh Weibgen as playing substitutes.

04/01

Pravda straight-in with news today that Peter Moores' side have won a game, the second win of 2025. Remember 2024 only brought 4 T20 wins in total (Stars + Outlaws) for the veteran head coach.

Daniel Sams, along with fellow collisionee Cameron Bancroft, will be released from hospital today. Sams has concusion and will make a return according to protocols.

03/01

New overseas Blast signing Daniel Sams has been injured following a collision fielding for Syndney Thunder today. Thunder speaks

Substitutes brought in after serious fielding collision.

PTG Editor.

Saturday, 4 January 2024.

PTG 4725-22677.

Play in the Men’s Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder in Perth on Friday was halted for 20 minutes after two fielders were involved in a serious collision as they both attempted an outfield catch on the run.  The Thunders' Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams were later confirmed to have suffered concussion and were sent to hospital for further assessment with possible fractures involved. 

The incident occurred the 16th over of the Scorchers innings when Perth batter Cooper Connolly hit a ball high on the leg side. Sams sprinted from the infield with eyes on the ball while Bancroft ran in at full speed from the outfield, the pair knocking heads as they crashed into each other, knocking their heads.  Thunder players quickly ran to the pair, who lay motionless on the ground, and frantically gestured for medical support, which came immediately.

Sams appeared to be knocked out and was stretchered off in a mini-ambulance, while Bancroft managed to walk off the ground with a physio's support with blood gushing from his nose.  Thunder captain David Warner and the team's coaches were involved in discussions with match referee Steve Davis and umpires Mike Graham-Smith and David Taylor, after which Ollie Davies and Hugh Weibgen came into the Thunder side as playing substitutes.

I'm also informed that Auckland Aces had a fielder collision today, this one involved Ben Lister the former Outlaw.

Now in the news

01/01

Why not, let's start the new year off with a note of positivity. Peter Moores recorded a win for one of his T20 sides today - Melbourne Stars winning at their sixth attempt this season.