When assessing the cricketing currency of Ben Slater, the established protocol would be to do so solely in runs scored and time in the middle.

And yet, for a second consecutive pre-season, it is the opener’s bowling that has provided one of the more memorable moments of the campaign thus far.

After dismissing his now teammate, Calvin Harrison, during the university fixture in 2021, Slater doubled the number of students to have succumbed to his right-arm spin by pinning Alistair Frost lbw against Loughborough UCCE this time around.

The theatre of celebratory laps of honour, and the mock-anger of a battered and bruised Brett Hutton aside, Slater has worked hard on his bowling in the interim.

However, it’s his role as opening batter - one of the game's most relentless tasks, particularly on early season County Championship pitches - for which he will continue to be better known.

“My stints with ball in hand all started during the last pre-season,” said Slater.

“A few extra bowlers were required in the marquee and I put my hand up.

“As you can see from the comparison video the other day, my action has come on in leaps and bounds.

“At least this year the wicket looked a bit more genuine.

“Bowling off-spin is something quite new for me, but if it gets me away from boundary-riding for a few overs, I’ll take it.”

In relation to his primary skill as an armour clad swordsman at the top of the order, a strangle down the leg side and being snaffled at point sadlty cut short his time at the crease against Loughborough UCCE.

Watching his opening partner, Haseeb Hameed, glide his way to a first game century further fuelled the fire to follow in those footsteps.

A full unbeaten session with the willow in hand against the 2021 County Champions, Warwickshire, allayed any early season fears.

“Obviously the first time you go out there you’re hoping it all clicks into place,” said Slater.

“I had a couple of unlucky dismissals against Loughborough and it was disappointing not to spend more time out there, especially after feeling good in the tent. To turn that around against Warwickshire and spend an entire session at the crease was very pleasing.

“As a squad, across the five days at home, I think we’ve got quite a lot out of the practice matches.

“We’ve had to work hard for our rewards and to be doing that this early on will stand us in good stead for the start of the season.”

A final pre-season assignment comes at the home of Slater’s former employers in Derbyshire, with the local rivals facing off over two days at the Incora County Ground.

A composed century from the left-hander gave Nottinghamshire a crucial red-ball victory on the Green and Golds’ last trip down the A52 last summer.

“It’ll be nice to see some familiar faces,” said Slater.

“You always want to do well against your old team and over the past few years I have managed to put in some scores.

“It’s a chance to test ourselves in different surroundings, on an unfamiliar pitch and going away from home.

“All of that should put us in a good place for our trip to Sussex.”

Peter Moores has named a 13-man squad for the trip to Derbyshire, with Luke Fletcher and Brett Hutton returning after resting over the weekend.

Entry to the fixture is free with the both days of the encounter starting at 10:30am.