Dane Schadendorf is eagerly anticipating another chance to perform in the intimate surroundings of outground cricket as Notts prepare to welcome Leicestershire to the John Fretwell Sporting Complex on Sunday. 

Peter Moores has named an unchanged 14-man squad for the game, the second fixture to be staged at Welbeck following a washout against Somerset on Friday. 

“Prior to Guildford, I didn’t really know what to expect from outground cricket,” Schadendorf said. 

“But the supporters are so close to the pitch that the atmosphere almost feels more lively than other grounds, like Edgbaston in that first game, because it is so packed even though there are fewer people.

“I noticed before the game at Guildford that you could hear the buzz around the ground. I’ve been told that Welbeck is a great place to play, and we got a small sense of that against Somerset but I’m excited to hopefully get a full game in there.”

Schadendorf has become a fixture with the gloves for Notts during the Royal London Cup as Tom Moores plies his trade for Trent Rockets in The Hundred.

The Zimbabwe U19 international admits the faith bestowed upon him has given him confidence, following a somewhat unusual start to first-team cricket where he was handed a County Championship debut mid-match against Derbyshire following Ben Duckett’s England call up. 

“Because Mooresy is playing for Trent Rockets, I know I will be in the side,” he said.

“I have that security and it means I can prepare well.

“A few lads have made their debut in this competition because of The Hundred and we are doing well.

“Everyone having the same experiences and getting phased in at the same time has made the tournament a big thing for us as a group.”

Despite the squad taking on a fresh appearance, Notts still boast the likes of Peter Trego, Luke Fletcher and Ben Slater in their line-up.

But for Schadendorf, it is not merely the ability of the senior professionals which makes them invaluable, but also their approachability.

“You can get some groups where the senior players are very serious, but players like Fletch and Tregs, they take their cricket seriously but are relaxed off the field," he said.

"It is a nice environment to be in. 

“My job definitely gets easier the more you face different bowlers. In that first Championship game against Derbyshire, I was chucked in at the deep end. But because I did pretty well, it has given me confidence through the rest of my appearances.

“It’s been quite a change from watching Hashim Amla on TV a few years ago to catching him out at Guildford.

"You think about those things before the game, but while you’re playing you just focus on your game.

"But it’s a great thing to be able to look back on, and I'm looking forward to what might come in this competition.”

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The pomp, ceremony and tradition of county cricket's Royal London Cup Final arrive at Trent Bridge on 19 August.

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