Nottinghamshire’s academy side have spent the last ten days on their pre-season camp in Sri Lanka, readying preparations for the season ahead.
Paul Franks, who forms part of the management team overseeing the tour, has adjusted well to his new responsibilities.
It’s been a very different tour to those I’ve been involved with before,” he said.
“You’re not just concentrating on your own game, it’s a bit of a balancing act.
“This is the first trip with the new management team – Chris Tolley, Myself, Gary Keedy and Jamie Hart. There are good Notts people behind the side, with a lot of experience to pass on to the younger lads.”
This season will see Franks take on the mantle of Second XI captain, and will be involved with the younger players both on the field and to offer advice and coaching behind the scenes. While many faces are familiar to him from their strength and conditioning work at Trent Bridge, the tour offered him a first chance to see them in outdoor conditions.
“I’ve seen a lot of players in action for the first time and their work ethic has been fantastic. They have worked incredibly hard in tough conditions,” he said.
“The senior group – Hassan Azad, Simon Webster, Simon Walton, Ben Kitt and Anuj Dal have led the younger lads really well.
“We’ve got players here who are 14 or 15, and its great to see them being dragged along by the senior lads.
“Their application and attitude to their training regimes is really starting to reap rewards.”
Two of the aforementioned senior group, Simons Webster and Walton, have spent their winter rehabilitating after an injury-hit 2013. Now well on the road to full recovery, both have made quite the impression on the field.
“To see Simon Webster and Simon Walton back in action is incredibly heartening,” added Franks.
“Webby in particular is at the stage where he’s getting better with every session.
“They are two immensely talented players, with high potential and its our job to help them continue developing and keep them in sight of the professional squad.
“The players here have exceeded my expectations in terms of ability and I’m looking forward to playing some excellent, competitive cricket with them this summer.”