With a soggy outfield causing the abandonment of Nottinghamshire’s fixture against Cambridge MCCU at Fenner’s, it leaves a winter recruit still waiting to make his debut for his new county.

Apart from a handful of university matches at the start of his career, Chris Nash has played the vast majority of his 184 first-class appearances for his home county of Sussex.

Moving to Trent Bridge, on a three-year deal, came as a great surprise to many, but the top order batsman is relishing the opportunity of showcasing his talents at a new county.

“I’ve been at Sussex since I was seven years old,” said Nash. “So to make the move was a big thing for me, but I’ve been here since January and I can already see the benefits. It has completely refreshed me as a 34-year-old and to be involved with such a top club with a great coaching staff is great fun.”

“I’ve always enjoyed playing at Trent Bridge and it’s been a good ground for me over the years.”

The right-hander admitted he had options on where to play his cricket but Trent Bridge proved to be a draw he couldn’t resist.

“When you are free to speak to other counties you have to look at the reasons why you are going to go there. You look at Notts winning the white ball double last season and getting promoted back to Division One.

“They are a huge club and have a great history. It’s a brilliant ground, I’ve always enjoyed playing at Trent Bridge and it’s been a good ground for me over the years.”

Previous experiences of working with the Nottinghamshire Head Coach also counted favourably. “Then there’s Mooresy (Peter Moores). That’s a massive draw for me, having worked with him at Sussex all those years ago and to reunite with him is going to be good for me and my cricket.

“It was now or never really. I’m 35 in May and to sign here for three years is going to give me a great boost and just sort of reignites everything.

“When you’ve been at the same place for so long you might go a little bit stale, so it’s been good to move to somewhere like Nottingham, where there’s a little bit of pressure. It’s a big club, having won so much last year – and with such good players around you’ve got to work so hard just to get into the team.”

Nash knows what to expect. He’s played eight first class matches at his new home and averages almost 60.

“I’ve always enjoyed Trent Bridge. I went to university at Loughborough, so I knew Nottingham as a city when I was younger and I’ve always enjoyed going there and have always enjoyed playing at Trent Bridge.

“When you’ve been at the same place for so long you might go a little bit stale, so it’s been good to move to somewhere like Nottingham.”

“It was always a fixture I looked forward to, so to now have it as my home ground and to be able to play half of my games there is something I can’t wait to get going on.

“I’ve scored three hundreds at Trent Bridge and always enjoyed batting there. It’s a good place to bat once you’re in and the wicket has settled down and it always feels like an amazing arena to play in.”

Read part two of Chris Nash's interview here.

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