Nottinghamshire second XI’s newly-released 2018 fixtures will better prepare players at that level for the rigours of first-class cricket, believes the Club’s Assistant Coach Ant Botha.

An extensive programme of 28 matches has been lined up for this summer, which features Second XI County Championship, Trophy and T20 games, as well as friendlies.

Botha is pleased not just with the number of matches that have been scheduled, but also the strength of some of the opposition and that some fixtures will take place at venues which currently host first-class games.

The second XI fixtures were announced on Tuesday and can be viewed in full here.

“Both (Head Coach) Peter Moores and I are pleased with what has been lined up,” said Botha, who takes charge of the second XI. “We’ve probably got a few more matches in there this time with the friendlies we’ve arranged – and that’s important.

“A number of the Academy players stepped up well last year and moved their games on and I’m looking for them to raise their level again.”

“It’s good for the players to have regular matches, other than Academy and club cricket, so that there is not too much of a step up should players be required by the first team.

“The matches we have also means we will be playing some very strong opposition, which is good for the development of players and makes them battle-hardened.

“Playing at places like Scarborough, the SEE Swalec and Liverpool, which host first-team matches, will give the younger players a chance to get used to playing at grounds they well see on the full county circuit.”

Academy players Chris Gibson, Joey Evison, Tom Keast, Connor Marshall and Liam Patterson-White, among others, acquitted themselves well at Second XI level last summer and Botha is calling for that group to ‘go again’ in 2018.

He added: “A number of the Academy players stepped up well last year and moved their games on and I’m looking for them to raise their level again.

“We want to see those who play for the seconds not just try to perform well in the averages, but really contribute to winning cricket matches.”

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