New signing Ben Slater is hoping to take his game to the next level upon his arrival at Nottinghamshire. 

The 26-year-old has signed a three-year deal after initially joining on loan until the end of the season from local neighbours Derbyshire. 

Slater has already proved himself in Division Two scoring 676 runs so far this season at an average of 42.25 in the County Championship, with another 386 runs coming in the Royal London One-Day Cup. 

With four County Championship games left in the season, Slater is looking forward to getting going for his new county.

“As soon as a club like Notts come in you have to think about it hard,” he said. 

“I made the decision to push myself and try and take myself to the next level. 

“There’s a quality squad here full of international players and obviously the coaching staff are highly regarded 

“Obviously I want to get in the side first and I’ll try and do as best as I can for the club and score as many runs as I can and contribute for the final four games of the season.”

Slater has become accustomed to facing the best bowlers around the country in his place as opening batsman and has had a taste of Division One after playing ten games for Derbyshire during their season in the top division in 2013. 

Now, the left-hander is aiming to draw upon that experience for Notts. 

“I’ve faced some good bowlers in my career so far and I’ll look to take from that experience,” he said. 

“You get the good bowlers with a new ball and it isn’t fun when the ball is nipping around a bit but that comes with the territory of an opening batsman. 

“You just have to relish the challenge and I’ll be looking to do that for the end of the season.

“I had a year in division one whilst I was in Derby three or four years ago and the bowling attacks are very good, and it was tough.” 

He added: “I faced a decent attack last week in Sussex, taking confidence in my own game and backing my ability and hopefully I’ll do well.”

Despite making an impact in the County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup, the Chesterfield born batsman has had limited opportunities in the T20 Blast. 

However, Slater is hoping for that to change during his time with Notts. 

“I’ve not really played much T20 in my career, but when I got my chance in the 50 over, after predominantly playing red ball cricket, I took it and never looked back,” he said.

“I think I’ll try and get in the T20 side here, which I want to do moving forward, and cement my place in all three formats is something that I want to do.”

After spending 14 years at Derbyshire, Slater believes that now is the right time to seek a fresh challenge. 

“I’m a good age now to try and take on a move like this to a big Club, I know my game and I’m a bit more experienced now,” he said. 

“With the experience that I have got from playing a number of games and how I’ve worked on my game and worked that out, I think it’s a good time to make this move.”

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Trent Bridge will stage the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and Pakistan on Friday 17 May 2019. Register your interest for priority access to tickets here…