2018 county cricket previews: Nottinghamshire

In partnership with the Cricketers’ Who’s Who, here’s Wisden’s profile of Nottinghamshire for 2018.

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FORMED: 1841
HOME GROUND: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
ONE-DAY NAME: Nottinghamshire Outlaws
CAPTAIN: Steven Mullaney (Championship and RL50), Dan Christian (T20)
2017 RESULTS: CC2: 2/10; RL50: Winners; T20: Winners
HONOURS: County Championship: (6) 1907, 1929, 1981, 1987, 2005, 2010; Gillette/NatWest/C&G/FP Trophy: 1987; Pro40/National League/CB40/YB40/RL50: (2) 2013, 2017; Benson & Hedges Cup: 1989; Sunday League: 1991; T20 Cup: 2017

The lowdown

The biggest challenge for Notts will be to return from seventh heaven onto terra firma after a season which brought both limited-overs trophies and Championship promotion. Their white-ball campaigns were catapulted by a devastating top order, particularly in 50-over cricket where there were eight hundreds by six batsmen.

By contrast it was the bowlers who fired in the Championship, with seven taking 16 wickets or more at less than 30. The common thread across all formats was a depth in resources – as well as golden summers for Samit Patel and Riki Wessels. Wicketkeeper Tom Moores, son of head coach Peter, has big boots to fill following the retirement of Chris Read, who is succeeded as captain by Steven Mullaney, with Dan Christian continuing as T20 skipper.

Alex Hales has signed a deal to play white-ball cricket only but will miss the first part of the season after being called up as David Warner’s replacement at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Chris Nash replaces Michael Lumb, who was forced to retire last summer due to injury, and Paul Coughlin fills the all-rounder’s spot vacated by Brett Hutton – albeit that an injury sustained on England Lions duty puts him out of action for much of the season. Kiwi spinner Ish Sodhi plays in the T20 Blast, while Luke Fletcher has been cleared to bowl after a horrific head injury suffered in a game last July.

Transfers

IN: Paul Coughlin (Durham), Chris Nash (Sussex), Ross Taylor (NZ), Dan Christian (Aus, T20), Ish Sodhi (NZ, T20)
OUT: Brett Hutton (Northants), Brendan Taylor (Zim), Chris Read (retired)

Head coach: Peter Moores

Moores replaced the long-serving Mick Newell – now the director of cricket – as head coach in 2016 and immediately led the club to one of the best seasons in their history. Moores had two spells as England head coach and won the Championship with Sussex in 2003 and Lancashire in 2011. Paul Franks is his deputy, with South African Ant Botha assistant coach. The retired Chris Read is taking on a part-time coaching role.