Luke Fletcher has spent recent years competing for a place in Nottinghamshire’s team with Jake Ball, now the Bulwell Bomber is hoping they’ll share the new ball.

Ball has been released by England to feature in at least the opening two days of Sunday’s match against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl and Fletcher, who took seven wickets in the recent defeat against Warwickshire, is welcoming his 25-year-old teammate back with open arms.

“It would be nice to share the new ball with Jake,” said Fletcher.

“He has burst through the ranks and, in the last two years, he has really kicked on.

“Fair play to Jake. I respect him as a cricketer and as a friend. I think he has done brilliantly well, I wish him all the best and I think he will have a really good future with Nottinghamshire & England."

Fletcher began the current season on loan with Derbyshire before returning to star for his parent county last week.

Spending time away from the Club he calls home has made it clear to Fletcher just how much he enjoys playing for Nottinghamshire.

“I've been at this Club a long time now and, for nine years now, it means a lot to me,” he said.

“To be involved in the first team is special and hopefully I can keep hold of that now for the rest of the season.

“I got an opportunity and I feel like I took it by contributing well with the ball, so hopefully now I can kick on, play all forms and play a big role.

“I've always loved playing for Notts, I appreciate the stag on the chest and back playing at Trent Bridge, especially when there’s over ten thousand people for a T20, is definitely where I want to be.”

Nottinghamshire have won one, lost two and drawn three of their five matches so far and are sitting fifth in the Specsavers County Championship Division One table.

Fletcher believes the fixture against bottom of the table Hampshire is the time to string the run of victories together that would see Notts rapidly climb the table.

“We are in a steady place, we've played some good cricket, but there is just a couple of areas where, if we can improve, it will make life a lot easier for us," he said.

“Division One is so wide open it’s ridiculous. If you get onto a hot streak and win a few games back to back then you can go straight up to the top of the table.

“There are enough quality players in that dressing room, enough experience to see us through these tough times and start stringing some wins together.”

Nottinghamshire squad to face Hampshire (from): Read, Ball, Carter, Christian, Fletcher, Gurney, Hutton, Libby, Lumb, Mullaney, Patel, Taylor, Wessels

 

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