It’s never easy attempting to fill the shoes of a club legend at any level in any sport, but Tom Moores is not letting the prospect of bidding to become Chris Read’s long-term successor faze him.
The ever-popular Read, who turns 39 on 10 August, has become something of an institution at Trent Bridge during his near two decades of service, as popular with fellow team-mates as he is with Members.
But, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and at the end of September, Read will be hanging up his gloves to become Director of Cricket at Uppingham School.
That opens the door for someone else to come in and stake a claim behind the stumps – and Moores has a quiet determination that it should be him.
The 20-year-old has already been given the chance to prove his worth in the NatWest T20 Blast, where Read has stepped aside to take on a coaching role and allow the youngster some game time to develop.
After playing in the Club’s first two matches of this year’s competition at the Yorkshire Vikings and Birmingham Bears, Brighton-born Moores, son of Head Coach Peter, is expected to play in this weekend's home matches with Derbyshire Falcons (Friday, 6.30pm start) and Northamptonshire Steebacks (Saturday, 2.30pm).
The man, who scored 88 for the Second XI in a T20 match at Worksop College on Monday - also against Derbyshire - hopes he can use this opportunity to push his claims to be first choice wicket-keeper across all formats next season.
“For me it’s a great chance to get some first team cricket under my belt and show what I can do, and T20 is the format of cricket that I think best suits me to do that at this moment in time,” he said.
“When I found out I was going to get a go, I was delighted, particularly as Ready is going to be there as a mentor. Knowing he is there to help and give advice gives you that extra confidence.
“Whoever takes over from Ready is going to have a massive challenge because he is a huge asset to the team. If you took Ronaldo out of the Real Madrid side, there would be a big difference, and this is the same.
“The lads have also been very supportive. They understand that somewhere along the line, someone else is going to have to step up.
“Ready has been a legend of the game, but he can’t continue forever and they know that. I would love to be the one who takes on the gloves after him. I back myself and I’m quietly confident I can do a job for the team."
The aforementioned game against the Vikings at Headingley was Moores' senior Outlaws debut. Although the team were beaten by 48 runs - as the hosts piled up their T20 record score - he impressed with 21 not out and two catches.
His second outing, at Edgbaston, saw teammate Luke Fletcher sustain a head injury and the players leave the field before returning to lose from the game's last ball.
Moores added: “It’s been a shame about the results, but we are far from out of it, especially with two home games to come.
"We lost the first two games of our Royal London campaign and ended up winning it – so it shows how things can turn around.
“From a personal point of view, I have been pleased with the way it’s gone. I felt in good rhythm with my keeping and I’m trying to attack as much as I can as a batsman, which is what I really enjoy doing.
“The Bears game was a big shock to all the lads and it really shook them up. You know when you play there is always a risk because cricket’s a dangerous game, but it was still a freak accident that you don’t expect.
“When it happens to a teammate who you care about, it’s a very difficult situation, and we needed to go off to find out that Luke was alright.
"Only then could we carry on, in what was a one in, all in scenario. It was disappointing to lose, but all that mattered was that Fletch was alright."
Cricket, and wicket-keeping, clearly run in the Moores family, and Tom is pleased to have Peter to call on for guidance, not just as the Club’s Head Coach, but also as his dad.
"It brings its pros and cons, but there are definitely more pros. He knows my game better than anyone, so I've always valued his input on my cricket," said Moores junior.
"He's also been there and done it himself and he'll help you out, as he will any of the lads, if you have issues with anything."
It will have been a near a two-week break for the players by the time they take on Derbyshire on Friday night under the Trent Bridge floodlights.
Moores feels the break has come at the ideal time for the vast majority of players, who have been grafting hard since early April.
He said: “Although I am fairly fresh because I have not played that many games, for a lot of the lads who have played through, this break is exactly what they need to get a rest before going again.
“Some of the other counties got a break when we were playing three more matches in the 50-over competition, so I think it will help us come back fit and firing.
“I can’t wait to play at Trent Bridge. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do when watching the other lads go out there.
“The support we get there is terrific, especially for the T20 matches, and it’s another thing I want to tick off the list, especially as our first home is a derby match against Derbyshire.”
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