Nottinghamshire’s Academy are now just a pair of fixtures from the end of their season in the Nottinghamshire Premier League, and will face tough opponents in Clifton, and first, West Indian Cavaliers.
Captain Paul Franks has seen his side become resurgent and ruthless, celebrating their form which has propelled them to third in the Premier League table.
"These will be two stern tests at the end of the season for this group of players,” he said.
“It’s important hat we acquit ourselves well and the Cavs put a very strong performance in last time we played them, they’ve got some very strong players in that team and I know that our lads are looking forward to it.
“I was always confident, with the talent in the group, that we were going to improve.
“I wasn’t sure what rate we would, and whether that would correlate directly with the number of performances that would get us up the table.
"Fortunately, it has done and at the minute we sit third and our form since the half way point of the season has been fantastic.”
After a difficult start to the season, the Academy have been a revelation through the season’s latter stages. With players emerging to prominence in the team – the likes of Anuj Dal and Jake Libby – Franks is keen for them to take advantage of the opportunity to impress in these final fixtures.
“It’s a stepping stone to the professional staff,” he said.
“Being in the Academy doesn’t guarantee you a place in the second team but if you’re there and making progress and showing that you want to be the next one into the second team, that’s the most important attribute to have.
“We’ve played some fantastic cricket ,individuals have taken responsibility for big runs and taking wickets which is great.
“We had to be patient and the younger players have stepped up since the middle of the season, we’re moving the likes of Brett and Sam out of that team because we have younger people who need that opportunity, they’re putting their hands up and saying ‘we’re ready, pick me’.”
The latest Academy player to taste success is Luke Wood, who has impressed during his time with Nottinghamshire. Now an England Under 19 international, he has been awarded a two-year contract with the County, and Franks is keen for Wood’s path to set an example for those aspiring to represent Nottinghamshire at a senior level.
“They have to look at Luke, examine his strengths and see what got him to where he is,” he said.
“He has a fantastic work ethic, he loves bowling which to me is a very important attribute.
"You have to love your trade and he really does and I look forward to watching him further.
“A lot of credit has to go to Cuckney, they have an excellent grounding and support network for him and he came into our system with a good knowledge and understanding of what was required.
“All credit to them for that, Alan Morris and Will Butler looked after him very well and we’ve been able to move that on from there.”
Nottinghamshire Academy squad to face West Indian Cavaliers: Jake Libby, Joe New, Hassan Azad, Anuj Dal, Adam Tillcock, Dan freeman, Connor Marshall, Paul Franks, Ben Kitt, Tom Keast, Jake Tong, Elliot Bowles.