With Nottinghamshire’s players back for the first steps in winter pre-season training, minds are already on their side’s LV= County Championship curtain-raiser at Lord’s in April.
Greg Smith is certainly one of them. The former Leicestershire batsman chose to move up the A46 from Grace Road to test himself at Trent Bridge, a change he’s relishing.
“It’s a big change, and an exciting one,” said Smith.
“Just the quality of the place, the ground and the personnel, I’m sure it’ll bring out the best in me.
“I’ve been made to feel very welcome from the moment I arrived. As soon as I got here Steven Mullaney went to his locker and lent me some kit to get stuck in.
“Moving to Nottinghamshire wasn’t rocket science really, it’s a progression in my career, moving to play at a Test ground, Leicestershire haven’t won enough games in the past few years.
“Despite me believing my career was progressing with them I want to be scoring runs in winning sides and I fully intend to break into this team and score runs in the summer which is why you play the game.”
Smith’s addition to Nottinghamshire’s squad will add even more firepower to a batting lineup the envy of many in domestic cricket. A talented opening batsman, the competition for places will be fierce but he insisted that the challenge was part of the attraction of moving to Trent Bridge.
If I didn’t think I was then I wouldn’t be here now, playing the game I want to know how good I can be. Certainly I’ve been improving through the last few years and it’s a better arena, theatre to showcase what I’m about as a player.
I’ve experienced some great T20 nights here, the crowd has always been fantastic and its an exciting place to play cricket."
Smith will join fellow new signing Will Gidman as fresh faces in the Nottinghamshire squad, the pair excelling in Division Two and while their transition into the dressing room has appeared to be smooth, Smith identified Luke Fletcher as one player who he was looking forward to spending time alongside.
“I shared a dressing room with Fletch a long time ago, when we played England U19s together,” he said.
“I know him well enough to know what to expect. He’s a big character and if anyone can brighten a day’s play it’s him.
“Naturally you gravitate to the other new signing because you’re both finding your way at the club but Will is a good man and I’m pleased he’s on the staff with me.
“I said to him, that both of us keep smiling as we drive through the gates. The stature of the ground is different to Gloucestershire or Grace Road.”
Smith loudly announced himself to Nottinghamshire’s players and fans alike at Grace Road last summer, clubbing a 54-ball 102 against Notts Outlaws in the NatWest T20 Blast. It was a feat that nearly saw the Foxes clinch the match, and one he’s keen to repeat at Trent Bridge for his new club, but not the first time he has excelled against Notts.
“Going back a little further I scored my first first class century against Nottinghamshire, for Durham University,” he said.
“I suppose that was another career-defining innings, that was the moment where I realised that I was good enough to be in the first class game.
“I’ve had a couple of good days in my career against Nottinghamshire, but I don’t read too much into it. They’re two innings that I’ll cherish against my current employers.
“Once you’re in the heat of battle and the adrenaline is pumping, you make decisions that lead to scores like those and look back on them fondly.”
Notts Outlaws hope to break the 10,000 barrier when reigning champions Birmingham Bears visit Trent Bridge for a NatWest T20 Blast encounter on Friday 15 May.
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