Wayne Noon has backed Notts Academy Captain Scott Elstone to lead from the front when the side begin their campaign with an away fixture at Mansfield Hosiery Mills on Saturday.

Keen to consolidate following promotion from the Bassetlaw League, opinion is divided as to whether the team will be able to compete at the top end of the table but with a number of exciting young players, there is an optimistic air amongst the management.

“We’ve got a talented side and there is no question about our cricketing ability but it is a case of men against boys and the mental approach and manner in which we deal with any banter out there will be important,” said Noon.

“Scott did well for Wollaton in the Premier League last season and he had a lot of offers to play elsewhere before committing to the captaincy.

“I’ll be leaving all of the on-field decisions to him which I’m happy to do because he’s a confident cricketer and he’s already captained the Nottinghamshire Second Eleven.”

Selection for the opening fixture was simplified by the unavailability of five of the 16 players registered to play for Notts.

Notts Academy team to face Mansfield Hosiery Mills CC: Akhil Patel, Karanjit Bansal, Sam Wood, Sam Kelsall, Scott Elstone, Ben McGuire, Hassan Azad, Adam Shepherd, Jake Ball, Dan Cumming, Bobby Gamble