Stuart Broad has welcomed Nottinghamshire's contingent of new signings and says Trent Bridge is the perfect location in which to fulfil their ambitions.

Since the conclusion of the 2014 season, Greg Smith has signed from Leicestershire, Will Gidman has arrived from Gloucestershire and Brendan Taylor announced his retirement from international cricket for Zimbabwe in order to sign a contract with the county, which is subject to ECB approval.

From an overseas perspective, South Africa fast-bowler Vernon Philander - who is ranked one place above Broad in seventh in the ICC Test rankings - will share the primary slot with Australian Ben Hilfenhaus.

West Indian Darren Sammy, meanwhile, will represent Notts Outlaws in four NatWest T20 Blast matches between Sunday 31 May and Friday 12 June, and his return can be negotiated should the side reach the competition’s quarter-finals and finals day. 

Broad is impressed by the calibre of the signings and - having signed for Nottinghamshire from Leicestershire back in 2008 - he says playing at Trent Bridge can inspire each of the signings to progress.

"I expect all of the signings to improve and raise their games," the 28-year-old England international said.

"It's hard not to when you're training with the quality of Taylor, Hales, Lumb, Read, these sorts of players every day.

"I bowled with Will Gidman in the nets the other day and he gets good movement from the ball. 

"It will be interesting to see what role he plays in the side, whether he takes the new ball or comes on first change. He looks like a guy that will get seam movement on most wickets.

"Brendan Taylor is a proven international player and looks a really good signing.

"My Dad's seen a lot more of him than me as a match referee around the world. He says Brendan's an absolutely fantastic player who will guarantee you runs.

"He'll guarantee all format runs which is a god send. Hopefully, at 29-years-old, he'll have quite a lot of years of playing county cricket.

"I've not seen much of Greg Smith but he's coming over from Leicestershire and one thing I would say, having moved from a smaller club to a bigger club myself, everything is here for you at Notts.

"You've got fantastic coaches, the whole club is a big family, you've got facilities and you've got good players around to help improve your game.

"It comes with pressures as well because there's an expectancy here. It's a club that's expected to win trophies. 

"That's an exciting place to be as a player. You don't want to go through your career not lifting silverware.

"When there is that expectancy, you've got to perform and it pushes you on to further things. It pushes you on to international cricket.

"It's a fantastic place to play. You can see that players have gone on to represent England from here in myself, Gurney, Hales, Lumb and Titch [James Taylor]. 

"There has been a lot of guys pushing for international selection and that's why you play the game."

In relation to overseas signings, Broad believes the role is about so much more than simply contributing on the field.

"I'm not sure Philander needs any advice from me," Broad laughed. "His record is phenomenal.

"He gets the most out of every wicket he plays on and he'll be hungry to have some success here.

"The conditions in April and May when he'll be an Outlaw will be pretty helpful towards him and I know the whole changing room is excited to have him around.

"Regardless of what he does on the field, what the likes of Fletcher and Gidman can learn from someone like Philander is huge.

"That's where Mick [Newell] has always been so successful with overseas signings because he doesn't just think about runs and wickets on the field; he thinks about what an overseas player can offer to the whole club.

"Dave Hussey, for example, will be a Notts legend for time, not just for what he did on the field but for what he offered to the club.

"NatWest T20 Blast wise, we've fallen at the last hurdle this last four or five years really, with a squad that should be making finals day.

"That's part of the reason Mick's gone for someone like Darren Sammy. With him being available for four or five games then potentially quarter-finals and finals day, he's the sort of bloke who can get a team over the line in 20 overs with bat, ball or in the field.

"He looks the sort of signing that will stand up in big games and that's what we want."

 

Stuart and Chris Broad will both be in attendance, along with other international cricketers, at The Broad Appeal's Golf Day on Wednesday 3rd June. The event will take place at Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club and is in aid of motor neurone disease. Find out more about the charity here.