Anuj Dal will be hoping for more of the same when the Outlaws begin their defence of the Barbados T20 Cup this weekend.

Although only 19 years of age, the all-rounder was a member of the winning side when Notts tasted their second victory in this competition in 2014.

The memory of that success is still fresh, with both the venue and the unorthodox prize still vivid in Dal’s mind.

“It was just an absolutely amazing experience,” he recalls. "First of all to actually play at Kensington Oval was unbelievable but I tried to take it all in at the time.

“Then to share the victory with such an amazing bunch of players, and bringing home the wooden fish, are things I’ll never forget.”

Although he’s Nottinghamshire through and through, there’s one stand-out line in Dal's biography: born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

“Ah,” he laughs. “My parents were on holiday up in the north east and apparently I was a little bit early. I gather it was all a bit chaotic at the time but that’s pretty much it. I’m definitely not a Geordie!”

Much of the last decade has seen him wearing the colours of one or other of the county’s age group sides and now he’s ready to push on further.

“My home club is Kimberley but I’ve played in the county age groups since I was nine years old and have featured all the way up, so Notts has pretty much been my life so far. This coming campaign will be my fifth with the academy.”

An impressive winter in the Trent Bridge nets has earned Dal his second trip to Barbados, and he’s hoping to use the pre-season tour to to push his claim for a full-time contract.

“This is the perfect platform for me to come out here and look to improve my skills. Last winter I went to Australia for six months so that was a good opportunity to play on quick pitches against quicker bowlers.

“This time I’ve stayed behind at Trent Bridge and worked hard on my game. The fitness part of it is tough by necessity, but it’s been good to be around the first team squad and hopefully good for the coaches to see my development as a cricketer.”

Knowing that youngsters have been given their chances by the Nottinghamshire coaching staff is spurring Dal on and he makes no bones of his ambitions this season.

“I feel I’m kicking on and learning all the time. Everyone hopes to play first class cricket for Nottinghamshire and I’m no different. That’s my goal for this summer, I want to break into a squad and if all goes well, get picked.”

The top order batsman and medium-pace bowler hopes his fielding ability will also catch the eye.

“I love fielding,” he says. “It’s important to offer that third dimension. Anywhere you see me in the field I’ll be involved, just trying to dive around and catch it or stop it.

“I played a lot of white ball cricket when I was in Australia and think I’ve really developed that area of my game but I love red ball as well, so either or, I’m just happy playing cricket.”

Nicknamed ‘Nudge’, he was also part of the Nottinghamshire second eleven side that clinched the championship last season. “It was great to be part of that win at Radlett, to win any sort of trophy is always nice.”

That sentiment may also be echoed by some of his team-mates should Notts be successful under the Kensington floodlights late on Sunday evening.

 

The 2015 season saw dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.

Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.

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