2025 Annual-report

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB 2025 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 20 I must also praise Paul Franks for his excellent first spell as Head Coach, stepping up while Peter Moores worked alongside Andy Flower at Trent Rockets. Paul handled significant challenges with pride and professionalism, and it felt fitting to see someone so connected to Nottinghamshire get his opportunity. Developing from within, in terms of both players and staff, remains central to our philosophy. Still, players do move on, and we thank Calvin Harrison, Dane Schadendorf, Sammy King, and Matt Montgomery for their contributions, and we wish them all the best. Following the One-Day Cup, our focus returned to the Championship run-in, though the mid-summer Kookaburra rounds were another key period. Opinions on that ball remain divided, but while those four fixtures produced few opportunities for wins, we were never close to defeat either. What it did allow for was some substantial batting innings, notably Haseeb’s second double century of the summer, and it also gave us a rare chance to use more spinners in English conditions. Throughout that stretch, Peter and I spoke often about consolidation, and staying close to Surrey, who won two of their Kookaburra matches. That discipline paid off, setting up our September surge when the Dukes ball returned. Make no mistake, the scale of our achievement in 2025 will not go unnoticed, nor the manner in which it was earned. Recording seven wins, when no other side managed more than five, is a remarkable feat. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who made it possible: Peter and his coaches, our backroom staff, and our outstanding ground team. I must also mention the exceptional effort put in by Steven Mullaney and the Second XI, who enjoyed a very strong season that presents us with a very solid platform to build upon. James Hayes led the entire Second XI T20 competition with the ball, taking 20 wickets, while Sam Seecharan totalled over 800 runs across both Second XI competitions. Joe Pocklington andTom Giles also each took over 20 wickets in the Second XI Championship, a competition in which we topped our group and only narrowly missed out on the final. Meanwhile, in the Second XI T20, we did reach the final after also finishing top of our group there, and then seeing off Hampshire in the last four, though ultimately fell just short. Regardless, the season the Second XI had, with multiple players putting their hands up, was reflective in many ways of the First XI, and gives me great confidence for the future Special thanks must go to Steve Birks, retiring after 28 years as Head Groundsman. His contribution to Trent Bridge and Nottinghamshire cricket has been immense, and we wish him a very happy retirement. The challenge now is to build on this success, to make winning habitual, and to make Trent Bridge as formidable as Surrey’s Kia Oval during their dominant run. Before we heroically beat them in September’s unforgettable encounter, they had lost just once at home since 2021. The old saying goes, “to be the best, you have to beat the best.” Now that we have, our aim is to emulate their consistency. With the leadership, character, and quality within this squad, I am confident we can compete at the top again in 2026 and beyond. “I MUST ALSO PRAISE PAUL FRANKS FOR HIS EXCELLENT FIRST SPELL AS HEAD COACH, STEPPING UP WHILE PETER MOORES WORKED ALONGSIDE ANDY FLOWER AT TRENT ROCKETS.” Mick Newell