Nottinghamshire will take to the Trent Bridge turf for their final LV= County Championship fixture of the season on Monday, knowing that a win could see them clinch second in the Division One table.
After their title hopes escaped with defeat at the hands of champions Yorkshire last week, Director of Cricket Mick Newell said that he would be looking at a couple of the Club’s talented youngsters to make the step up to first team cricket.
Jake Libby is in line to make his Nottinghamshire debut less than a week after signing his first professional contract with the Club. The opening batsman has been one of the standout performers through the summer for Nottinghamshire’s Academy and Second Eleven, and looks set to take his place at the top of the order alongside Alex Hales.
“Opening the batting with Alex Hales is something I used to dream of,” he said.
“I’m going to go into this match relaxed, and play the way I have been with the seconds.
“I’m not an explosive opener, my game is suited to the red ball. I try and occupy the crease and bat for long periods of time."
The 21-year-old has scored excellently with Nottinghamshire’s seconds, amassing 446 runs in the Second Eleven Championship alone, and it’s surprising to hear that the Cardiff MCCU graduate was in a very different position just three months ago.
“I had been part of Cardiff’s MCC programme, and when that finished in July Chris Tolley invited me to come and be part of the Academy side for the summer, and it has all spiraled from there,” he said.
“My first game was for Notts’ seconds at Edgbaston, which was an amazing experience and from then I’ve just wanted to prove myself.
“In July I was still playing club cricket in Cornwall. This is a great chance to show what I’m capable of.
“It has been a crazy two months, My debut has come much earlier than I thought, but this is my chance to impress and put my name in the hat for the opening spot at the start of April net year.”
Nottinghamshire have also named Luke Wood in their 13-man squad for the Sussex tie, along with experienced spinner Gary Keedy, who took his maiden Nottinghamshire five-fer on his Trent Bridge debut against Yorkshire.
Nottinghamshire squad to face Sussex: Jake Libby, Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, James Taylor, Riki Wessels, Samit Patel, Chris Read, Luke Fletcher, Luke Wood, Harry Gurney, Gary Keedy, Jake Ball, Ajmal Shahzad.