Nottinghamshire’s Academy host their first home game on Saturday looking to get their first Premier League win of the season on the board.

Last week’s game was interrupted by the rain leading to the game finishing in an abandoned draw with both sides sharing the spoils.

That didn’t stop some good performances being put in with many positives coming out the game.

“We bowled well early on and had them 40-6 due to some good pressure from both George Bacon and Luke Wood,” second team coach Paul Johnson said.

“We were guilty of taking the foot of their throat when they were down but through our fielding and bowling there were many positives.

“Jake Ball then put the ball in good areas and troubled out batsman but Tom Rowe (68*) and George Bacon (28*) showed good resilience.”

Looking ahead, Mansfield Hosiery Mills are the first visitors to the Notts Sports Ground, a team who have strengthened their side over the winter.

“This is one of the teams we haven’t really had success against and a side which should be in the top half of the table.

“It will be interesting to see how Joe New does for them with him being part of the academy set-up.

“Being back at Lady Bay and the atmosphere that will come will Nottingham Forest kicking off at 12.45 will be a good setting for the first home game.”

The side are also strengthened by the fact that Brett Hutton can play a full part this weekend having not been able to bowl in the first game. 

“I will always back our lads to get the win as I believe they will be the best eleven on the field.

“We are a strong side and we ideally want to go the whole year with a 0 in the losses column.”

Academy team to play Welbeck Colliery: Andrew Parkin-Coates (c), Sam Kelsall, Hasan Azad, Tom Rowe, Sam Wood, Brett Hutton, Adam Tillcock, Luke Wood, George Bacon, Ben Kitt and Tiger Dalby