Dane Paterson admitted the feeling of achieving promotion with Nottinghamshire 'hadn't sunk in', after the Green and Golds claimed the requisite nine wickets to see them gain an unassailable advantage in the hunt for Division One status. 

The South African took three wickets, including that of Matty Potts - the ninth and last Durham wicket to fall - to bring his tally to 54 for the LV= Insurance County Championship season, and seal Notts’ place at the top table in red ball cricket for 2023. 

“​​We’re really happy and, for me, being a part of this with Notts for the first time is very exciting,” Paterson said.

“I’m happy for my teammates, coaching staff and all the management team that have been involved.

“All the bowlers have played a part in it but, on a personal note, I’m delighted to take 50 wickets in the Championship again. 

“I’m not making it any easier for myself, just keep putting more pressure on myself to do well, but that’s what I love to do.”

Upon the dismissal of Potts, who bludgeoned 40 off 36 deliveries before holing out to Ben Slater at deep mid wicket, the 32-year-old cut a calm figure, despite euphoric responses of some teammates. 

“All the other guys were throwing their arms up and were buzzing, but I was just there clapping hands,” he laughed. 

“I think it is probably that fact that it hasn’t hit home yet so probably tomorrow when the game’s done, I’ll let everything out.

“We’ve still got a job to do. We want to get on a positive side of the result so we still have got one more push and then see what happens.”

If a draw is the outcome at Trent Bridge, Notts will, at worst, tie with Middlesex on points, but beat the Lord's-based county on head-to-head points earned.

Seven wickets will see the trophy won with a margin.

That is after Stuart Broad claimed the wicket of Sean Dickson, while Luke Fletcher removed George Drissell on the evening of the third day, after Steven Mullaney elected to bat for a second time, despite a commanding lead of 455. 

“We needed that break because Broady had a long spell, I had an eight over spell just before lunch so I think we just needed to put our feet up for a bit,” Paterson said. 

“The wicket has a good ball in it, but we don’t want to be tired and run ourselves into the ground. We wanted to throw all our energy into tomorrow and end with a positive result.

“It would make it all a bit sweeter. Seven more wickets is just seven more balls, I think there’ll be a bit of cloud cover tomorrow so hopefully that helps. We’ll come here tomorrow and do our business and see what happens at the end - hopefully that means lifting a trophy.”

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International cricket in 2023

Trent Bridge will host three international matches next summer, with the sole Test Match of the Women’s Ashes taking place at Nottinghamshire’s historic home, before England’s men face New Zealand and Ireland in IT20 and ODI contests respectively. 

Enter the ticketing ballot or peruse further information at trentbridge.co.uk/internationals.