Nottinghamshire News: West Park Release Sealed

 

01/04

Pravda:

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club has formally completed on a 25-year lease for the West Park facility in West Bridgford.

After agreeing the heads of terms in October 2025, the entirety of the legal framework was formally signed off on Friday 27 March.

That means that as of Wednesday 1 April, the club has officially taken on a lease to the facility that runs until 2051.

“We’re thrilled to formally complete on the lease for West Park and begin to put our plans into action for the next chapter of this historic facility,” said Nottinghamshire CCC Chief Executive, Richard Kenyon.

“I’d like to thank to everyone who has made this possible, from Rushcliffe Borough Council to everyone at the club who has worked so hard to turn this into a reality.

“Particular mentions must go to John Gorman, who provided his expertise in ensuring everything is in place to bring the most out of the entire facility, and Matt Wood, who has ensured we have a clear plan for making the most effective use of the cricket side."

The park, situated less than a mile from the county’s historic Trent Bridge headquarters, will provide high-quality facilities for the club’s expanded player pathway, which gives boys and girls the opportunity to progress towards a professional career.

It will also continue to be the home of West Bridgford Legion Cricket Club, cementing further grassroots cricket in the community.

The site will help to meet growing demand for facilities caused by increased participation in the game, with children’s cricket sessions delivered for young people of all ages and abilities.

West Park will also become a home for Nottinghamshire’s disability cricket offerings, the ACE Programme (which aims to drive African-Caribbean participation), and a newly-formed LGBTQ+ team.

“From a strategic point of view, the lease on West Park is absolutely instrumental to us,” said Director of Cricket, Mick Newell.

“Cricket is becoming more popular, which is of course fantastic news for everyone involved, but it does require us to seek out new facilities to meet that demand.

“As such, adding the West Park facility to our estate allows us to continue to provide for everyone, and enables us to keep operating at the forefront of our sport as well as being deeply involved in our community.”

The venue will stage matches for Nottinghamshire’s boys’ sides up to U16 level, while also driving the continued expansion of opportunities for women and girls by hosting age-group and Academy fixtures for The Blaze.

Other on-site facilities, including the century-old Sir Julien Cahn Pavilion, will allow the club’s official charity, the Trent Bridge Community Trust, to deliver programmes helping those in need across the county – including the Forget Me Notts initiative for individuals with dementia, and the Positive Futures programme for young people at risk of social exclusion.

Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Councillor Neil Clarke, said: “Rushcliffe is the home of great sport in Nottinghamshire, and we’re pleased this partnership with Nottinghamshire CCC at West Park will give even more opportunities to more people to play cricket.

“It highlights a strategic growth opportunity that aligns perfectly with our Leisure and Playing Pitch strategies and recently adopted draft Sport and Tourism Charter. 

“It also aligns with building on the strong and positive relationship through continued collaboration with major sporting partners and strengthening our collective reputation as a prime destination for sport nationally.

“Growing the women’s game is a significant focus for the partners here and we want to do all we can to increase the opportunity for the numbers of women, girls and all cricketers to play recreationally.”

25/03

News of the recent death of Keith Gillhouley.

Keith made 85 appearances for Notts in the 1960s, and later became Chairman of the Notts Cricket Coaches Association.

Thoughts with his family, friends and loved ones. RIP

Updated version of the Trent Bridge Archives c/o MAG:

Keith Gillhouley was born in Crosland Moor, Huddersfield on 8th August 1934.

He first played cricket at Crosland Moor County School and with Huddersfield Town Boys. A right-hand bat and slow left arm bowler, he began his club cricket with Armitage Bridge CC in the Huddersfield League and he made his first team debut at 14. He left school at 15 to start an electrical engineering apprenticeship.

He played for the Yorkshire Federation Under-18 side and was invited to the Yorkshire nets and received coaching from White Rose legends Arthur Mitchell and Maurice Leyland. He moved to another Huddersfield League club, Lockwood CC, at the age of 17. He helped them win the Sykes Cup in 1955 in front of a crowd of 5,398 against Lascelles Hall at Fartown, Huddersfield. He did not do his national service at 18, because he was still studying for his apprenticeship, but he was called up to join the RAF age 21. He was posted to Topcliffe in North Yorkshire which allowed him to carry on playing for Lockwood throughout his time in the RAF. He played another season for them after leaving the RAF before moving to another Huddersfield League club, Dalton CC, in 1957 to be their professional. Gillhouley batted at number four in the order. He put in some good performances; one notable one was taking all 10 wickets for 23 against Kirkburton CC and scoring 50.

Gillhouley was invited to play for Yorkshire Seconds in 1958 making his debut against Notts Seconds at Fartown, That was his only Second Eleven appearance of the season. In 1959, he made 10 appearances for Yorkshire Second XI taking 38 wickets @15.97. His bowling rapidly improved. In 1960 he took 91 wickets @13.87 in Minor Counties and Second Eleven Championship games and was awarded his second team cap.

This improvement led to a call-up with the first eleven in 1961, at the aged 26 when Don Wilson was injured. He made his first-class debut on 7th, 8th and 9th June in a 52-run victory over Essex at Harrogate. Batting at seven he scored 1 and 16 and had impressive bowling figures of 27-15-35-4 and 18-4-57-1. He kept his place in the Tykes first eleven for the rest of the season. In 24 games he scored 323 runs @13.45 and took 77 wickets @22.10 with a career best 7-82 against Middlesex, in his third match in a 175-run defeat at Park Avenue, Bradford. In his next two matches he had innings figures of 5-87 in a drawn fixture versus Surrey at The Oval (also scoring a season high 56*) and 5-70 against Gloucestershire at Bristol in an eight-wicket defeat. When The Tykes thrashed Notts by 207 runs at Trent Bridge in August, Gillhouley, known for ‘flighting the ball’ had match figures of 7-82. Yorkshire finished second in the standings behind Hampshire in the final standings. There was a strong Huddersfield contingent at Headingley at that time, with Ken Taylor, Roy Booth, Mel Ryan and Bob Platt also in the County Championship side.

Gillhouley bowled with a slightly bent left arm and with a strong wrist action was told to try and straighten his arm in the winter nets to damper down any suspicions of throwing and as a result lost a bit of form. So after such a successful debut season and as a result of Wilson’s return to fitness, Gillhouley did not play a single first-class game for Yorkshire in 1962 and his appearances were confined to Yorkshire Seconds and club cricket for Halifax CC. In 12 Minor Counties Championship appearances that summer he scored 277 runs @23.08 and took 39 wickets @13.20.

During the winter, he and team mate Brian Bolus moved to Trent Bridge aided by Notts CCC Supporters Association supporting house purchases. Four counties had made offers to Gillhouley, but he decided to ply his trade with Notts. Gillhouley played in 29 of the 31 first-class matches that Notts played that summer scoring 614 @16.15 and taking 66 wickets @29.48. He made his Notts debut on the 1st to 3rd May 1963 in a drawn match v Northants at Trent Bridge. He hit two fifties including a career best 75* in a ten-wicket victory over Worcestershire at Trent Bridge. In his second match for Notts he had innings figures of 5-31 versus Middlesex at Lord’s. His most memorable performance came at the start of June in their annual Whit fixture against Surrey at Trent Bridge where he had second innings figures of 30.1-6-95-6 with off-spinner Bomber Wells taking 4-68 as Notts pulled off an unexpected 115 run victory. Notts after years in the doldrums finished ninth in the championship table. It was not all plain sailing for Gillhouley during 1963. During the 104-run loss at Cheltenham College versus Gloucestershire, he was called for throwing four balls in succession by square leg umpire Syd Buller and completed his over by bowling seamers. Skipper Geoff Millman in his end of season report stated that “Gillhouley, proved the answer to our prayers with his left arm orthodox bowling. He pulled us out of the fire with his batting on many occasions when we were in trouble and I know our confidence in him is very well founded”.

Gillhouley was a member of the first eleven for Notts first ever List A game a Gillette Cup first round fixture versus his former county at Middlesbrough on 22nd May 1963. Yorkshire won the 65 over contest by four wickets with Gillhouley scoring 9 and having the impressive analysis of 14-6-33-4; bowlers being allowed to bowl up to 15 overs in the innings in the competition’s inaugural year. Gillhouley was selected to represent the MCC in a game against Yorkshire, played at Scarborough at the end of August, as part of the Scarborough Festival, he had match figures of 8-113, including 5-109 in Yorkshire`s second innings.

In 1964, Gillhouley appeared in 27 matches for Notts scoring 720 runs @17.56 and taking 66 wickets @26.06. Notts won their opening match of the season against Leicestershire at Trent Bridge by an innings and 15 runs with Gillhouley having a second innings analysis of 5-21. Notts though had a sorry summer finishing 15th in the table. Gillhouley though did have first innings figures of 5-102 against his former employees during an eight-wicket defeat at Scarborough.

Gillhouley’s form dipped alarmingly not helped by ongoing issues over the fairness of his delivery. Notts gained the wooden spoon in 1965. In 18 first-class appearances he scored 280 runs @11.66 and picked up 28 wickets @30.78 with season’s best figures of 4-35 in a drawn match at The Oval.

Notts unfortunately retained the wooden spoon the following season. Newly signed Bob White’s off-spin was the only alternative to the seam bowling. Gillhouley, according to the Notts Committee report was “unnecessarily pilloried for his action” and his form suffered accordingly so that his appearances were severely restricted. In nine first-class appearances he scored 95 runs @9.50 and took 10 wickets @57.90. His final appearance for Notts was against Gloucestershire at Trent Bridge on 23rd, 25th and 26th July 1966. Notts won the fixture by 88 runs, one of only three victories in 28 matches that woeful summer. Gillhouley left the staff at the end of the season.

His full record is given below:

 

Notts

BATTING	M		I		NO		RUNS		HS		AV’GE		CT		ST		100	50
First-Class	83		134		21		1709		75*		15.12		44		-		-	6
List A	2		2		0		10		9		5.00		1		-		-	-
BOWLING		OVERS		M		RUNS		W		AV’GE		ARPO		BPW		BB			5wI
First-Class		2039		695		5107		170		30.04		2.50		71.96		6-95			4
List A		24		6		78		4		19.50		3.25		36.00		4-33			-

All teams

BATTING	M		I		NO		RUNS		HS		AV’GE		CT		ST		100	50
First-Class	108		166		28		2051		75*		14.86		60		-		-	7
List A	2		2		0		10		9		5.00		1		-		-	-
BOWLING		OVERS		M		RUNS		W		AV’GE		ARPO		BPW		BB			5wI
First-Class		2845		989		6922		255		27.14		2.43		66.94		7-82			8
List A		24		6		78		4		19.50		3.25		36.00		4-33			-

 

He settled in Nottingham and started his own business. He carried on playing cricket at weekends travelling to Ashton under Lyne in the Central Lancashire League to be their professional from 1967 to 1969. He also played amateur cricket, with friends until he retired from the game aged 50. He later became Chairman of the Notts Cricket Coaches Association.

He eventually moved back to Yorkshire, residing in Guiseley, just outside Leeds.

Gillhouley died on 24th March 2026 aged 91 years.

Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 436

Full name:	Keith Gillhouley
Born:	8th August 1934, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England
Batting:	Right-hand batter
Bowling:	Slow left-arm orthodox
Teams:	Yorkshire (Main FC: 1961); Nottinghamshire (Main FC: 1963-1966); Nottinghamshire (Main ListA: 1963-1964); Yorkshire Second XI (Minor Counties Championship: 1958-1962); Nottinghamshire Second XI (Minor Counties Championship: 1964-1966); All teams
Lists of matches and more detailed statistics

---

First-Class Career Batting and Fielding (1961-1966)
	M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	Ct
Overall	108	166	28	2051	75*	14.86	0	7	60

First-Class Career Bowling (1961-1966)
	Balls	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BB	Ave	5wI	10wM	SRate	Econ
Overall	17070	989	6922	255	7-82	27.14	8	0	66.94	2.43

---

List A Career Batting and Fielding (1963-1964)
	M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	Ct
Nottinghamshire	2	2	0	10	9	5.00	0	0	1

List A Career Bowling (1963-1964)
	Balls	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BB	Ave	4wI	5wI	SRate	Econ
Nottinghamshire	144	6	78	4	4-33	19.50	1	0	36.00	3.25

---

Minor Counties Championship Career Batting and Fielding (1958-1966)
	M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	Ct
Overall	40	53	8	690	69	15.33	0	1	36

Minor Counties Championship Career Bowling (1958-1966)
	Balls	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BB	Ave	5wI	10wM	SRate	Econ
Overall	5474	329	2087	148	7-70	14.10	11	0	36.98	2.28

 

22/03

Kyle Verreynne 

16/03

Mick Newell in a conversation with The Cricketer explains why Mo Abbas was allowed to leave. In short he says that there was some doubt about Mo Abbas' availability because Pakistan will be touring in September. But Mick, his "replacement" is another Pakistan player... 

Do we we need clarification about Fergus O'Neill's visa?

The club's spin says he's allowed 8 matches, but does that mean 8 weeks or 2 months or actually 8 matches?

If Fergus missed the first game, the nineth Championship match is in August at the Oval and Mo 2 Ali should be on the scene by then having played in the Metro Bank in theory...

With ex-pats fleeing Donald's war from tax-exiling Dubai, could that mean record holding Alex Hales might being coming home? If home is England these days for the Knight Rider...

14/03

Fergus O'Neill, bound for Trent Bridge soon, has been selected for the Sheffield Squad, but hasn't made the final eleven for Victoria...

Ahead of the game against South Australia Cricket Victoria posted this

Victoria has confirmed its 12-player squad for its final Sheffield Shield match of the regular season against South Australia at the CitiPower Centre, beginning March 14.

Having already secured hosting rights for the Final, the ladder-leading Victorians will be aiming to maintain momentum heading into the decider in what shapes as a potential Final-preview between the competition’s top two sides.

The match will also see Victoria and South Australia compete for the David Hookes Trophy, awarded to the team that wins the aggregate of Sheffield Shield matches played between the two states across the season.

Victoria welcomes the return of Scott Boland, while exciting young batter Oliver Peake has also been included in the squad. They replace Blake Macdonald and Matt Short, who is unavailable due to IPL commitments.

Peter Handscomb and Sam Harper will again headline Victoria’s batting line-up after enjoying outstanding seasons. The pair currently sit as the leading run-scorers in this year’s Sheffield Shield competition, highlighting their consistency across a dominant campaign.

Handscomb has also enjoyed a remarkable season in the field, taking 25 catches and surpassing former South Australia and Victorian player Jamie Siddons on the all-time Sheffield Shield catches list (190).

Victoria’s pace attack continues to be led by the impressive duo of Sam Elliott and Mitch Perry, who have each claimed 31 wickets this season, placing them equal fourth on the competition’s leading wicket-takers list. [Fergus O'Neill took 30 wickets @ 19.9 and scored as many runs as Elliott and Perry combined averaging 33.0]

Young left-hander Dylan Brasher has retained his place in the squad following a standout Premier Cricket campaign with Footscray, where he broke the club record for the most runs scored in a season.

The match also presents another significant milestone opportunity for Chris Rogers’ side, who are aiming to become just the second team in Sheffield Shield history to record eight outright victories in a single season.

Victorian Men’s Head Coach Chris Rogers said the group remains focused on finishing the regular season strongly.

“We’ve put ourselves in a strong position this season and hosting the final is a reward for the consistency the group has shown,” Rogers said.

“South Australia have had an excellent campaign as well, so this is another great opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the competition’s best sides before the final.”

Victoria will face South Australia at CitiPower Centre from March 14, with play beginning at 10:30am AEDT.

Victoria Sheffield Shield Squad

Will Sutherland (Prahran CC) (c)

Scott Boland (Frankston Peninsula CC)

Dylan Brasher (Footscray CC)

Sam Elliott (Fitzroy Doncaster CC)

Peter Handscomb (St Kilda CC)

Sam Harper (Melbourne CC)

Marcus Harris (St Kilda CC)

Campbell Kellaway (Melbourne CC)

Todd Murphy (St Kilda CC)

Fergus O’Neill (Melbourne CC)

Oliver Peake (Geelong CC)

Mitch Perry (Richmond CC)

Fergus packs his bags for an inter-state transfer to NSW for 2026-27.

Are the Vics just resting Fergus ahead of the final or ... 

Match scorecard

04/02

Counties keeping tabs on Sheffield Shield stars ahead of Championship opener

GEORGE DOBELL: Victoria have already qualified for the final of Australia's domestic competition, which takes place a matter of days before the start of the County Championship summer

Nottinghamshire are braced to be without Fergus O'Neill for the start of the County Championship season.

O'Neill, who played an important role in the side winning last season's Championship title (he took 21 wickets at 17.90 apiece in four matches at the start of the campaign), has signed to return to Notts for the first half of the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

But Victoria's qualification for the final of the Sheffield Shield has left him, in the words of Mick Newell, Notts' director of cricket, "unlikely" to make it for the first match, against Somerset at Taunton, from April 3...

26/02

Pravda:

Scotland batter George Munsey has agreed a deal to join Notts Outlaws for the duration of the 2026 Vitality Blast.

Munsey, 33, has more than 150 white-ball caps for his country, and was selected for his nation’s squad for the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

He has scored in excess of 2,600 T20 runs in his career, at an average of 28.17 and a strike rate north of 141, and has previously represented Hampshire and Kent in the Vitality Blast.

Munsey will be available for the entirety of the Outlaws’ Blast campaign in 2026, which begins against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge on Friday 22nd May, including any potential knockout games.

“I’m really excited to get the opportunity to come and play for Notts and call a wonderful venue like Trent Bridge home in the middle of summer,” said Munsey.

“I’ll be taking this chance with both hands and aiming to contribute as much as I can, both on the field and off it, and hopefully we can deliver success this year.”

As a British passport holder, Munsey will be registered as a domestic player for the duration of his stay at Trent Bridge.

Born in Oxford, Munsey moved to Scotland aged 13 and was educated in Musselburgh in Edinburgh’s eastern suburbs, before making his international debut in June 2015.

He has a T20 top score of 132, made from just 61 balls in a 2024 World Cup qualifier, while in June 2018 hit a crucial 55 as Scotland pulled off a famous ODI win over England in Edinburgh.

“I feel like I have a lot of experience that I can bring to this group, and hopefully that will help us have a successful year in the Blast,” continued Munsey.

“So many great players have played for the Outlaws in this format down the years, and I can’t wait to step out at Trent Bridge in front of a big crowd this summer.”

Head Coach, Peter Moores, added: “George adds another experienced batter to our Blast squad, as we continue to develop our team into one that can really push for honours in this format.”

“There will still be plenty of opportunities for our homegrown players to push their case for selection, though George gives us additional depth and experience.

“That will be important as we head into another busy season in all formats of the game.”

11/02

Chesterfield CC have signed Ben Martindale , for times when County committments allow in 2026.

Notts will play a "home" game at Queens Park in MBC on 7 August against Northants.

05/02

Notts Outlaws have signed 41 year old Peter Siddle for this year's Blast competition.

Pravda:

Experienced Australian seamer Peter Siddle has agreed a return to Trent Bridge, 12 years after his last match for Nottinghamshire, to play the entirety of the 2026 Vitality Blast.

Siddle, 41, has 230 career white-ball appearances, and recently enjoyed a standout Big Bash that saw him claim 16 wickets at an average of just 17 for Peter Moores’ Melbourne Stars.

Having previously lifted the Big Bash title in 2018 while with Adelaide Strikers, he has also won two Sheffield Shields, an Australian One-Day Cup title, and the County Championship.

He will be available for the full duration of the 12-match group stage, which begins at Trent Bridge against Yorkshire on Friday 22nd May, as well as any potential knockout fixtures.

“I’m so excited and really looking forward to be heading back to Trent Bridge, and this time for the Vitality Blast,” said Siddle.

“I’ve enjoyed my experiences in the Blast before, and coming off the Big Bash, where I felt great and made some good contributions, I can’t wait to get over to England again.”

Siddle’s previous taste of Trent Bridge came during the 2014 season, when he made 11 productive appearances in the Championship, claiming 37 wickets at 31.48 apiece.

Prior to his international retirement in 2019, Siddle earned 89 caps for Australia, and helped his country win the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2013-14 Ashes series.

In all, he claimed 238 all-format international wickets, and on Test debut away to India in 2008, made the great Sachin Tendulkar his maiden scalp for Australia.

“It’s been great to work with Peter Moores at the Stars over the last couple of seasons, so I’m excited to continue that link-up,” continued Siddle.

“Playing in front of the Notts members and supporters was also something I really enjoyed last time, so I’m excited to see them again and hopefully contribute to some success!”

Head Coach, Peter Moores, added: “I’m really excited that Pete has agreed to come back to Notts and rekindle his association with the club. 

"Over the years he’s managed to simplify the game, and his wealth of experience will be really valuable for our bowling group. 

"His whole approach to playing and training has allowed him to extend his career, and he’s now bowling as well as he ever has.

"Having watched him over the last two years at Melbourne Stars, I’m sure our members and supporters are going to love his wholehearted approach to playing the game."

30/01

From March there will be a subscription website dedicated to cricket based at Trent Bridge, launched in conjunction with thirteen other counties content. I'm not sure if one subscription buys you into call counties output or just "Trents'".

Whilst this has nothing to do with Nottsview, I wish them all luck in their new venture.

Of course Nottsview will remain FREE, now into its sixteenth year.

Link to Trent release information here

From the Nottsview editor: All contributions to Nottsview would be welcome, please use the email address in the page header.