Jack Haynes has lavished praise on the feeling of playing at Trent Bridge as Nottinghamshire prepare to return home for a crunch Championship clash with Somerset this week.
The Green and Golds, currently just one point behind Surrey at the summit of Division One, host the West Country side from tomorrow (Tuesday 29 July) at 11am.
“Obviously, it’s always special to walk out at Trent Bridge and play for Nottinghamshire, but there’s that extra little bit more when you know you’re right near the top,” said Haynes.
“It’s an exciting time when you’re towards the top of the Championship going into the last four games of the season.
“We go into each game with confidence, and we’ll be trying to perform in front of our home supporters to get another win on the board against Somerset.”
Haynes has been named in a 14-strong squad that will face off against the team from the South West, who themselves sit third in the table, 16 points behind Notts.
Kyle Verreynne has travelled to South Africa for his national side's annual awards event, but is set to return for September's County Championship fixtures.
However, while not dismissive of the challenge posed by Somerset, Haynes is steadfast in his belief that if Notts play to their strengths, they will be stood in good stead.
“We’ve played some really good cricket this year, and we’ve kept it nice and simple, so nothing really changes for us as a team,” he remarked.
“We’re really looking forward to getting back to it, and Somerset will provide us with another big test.
“They’re a really good side and are coming off the back of a win, but the lads are all feeling pretty confident at the moment so we’re set up for a good contest.”
Haynes himself is enjoying a prolific purple patch on an individual level, with his four centuries in 2025 placing him clear at the top of the list of hundred-makers in Division One.
He is, though, typically magnanimous and prefers to look at the bigger picture instead of delving too deeply into his own record.
“It’s always nice to get a few big scores, and when I have got a score, I’ve often gone on to get a bigger one,” he said.
“I do want to perform, so that’s been pleasing, but more pleasing is the fact that we’re sat one point off the top of the table.”
Haynes is also keen to point out that many of his team-mates have similarly strong individual numbers, and, as a sum of the parts, that has only benefitted the team as a whole.
“It’s been a key thing for us this year, that team effort; everyone has put their hand up at one time or another,” he explained.
“In pressure situations, having that within your team is massive, and it has been a full team effort.
“Everyone has stood up when we’ve needed them, and there’s no reason to think why we can’t carry that on through the last four games.”
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