Nottinghamshire batsman Jake Libby, who marked his maiden first-class appearance with a century late last season, is targeting a July comeback from injury following recent surgery.

The Cornish-born opener began his professional career with a score of 108 against Sussex in September, the first Nottinghamshire player since 1946 to score a debut hundred, prior to embarking on a winter of grade cricket in Tasmania.

Having returned from down under early to undergo anterior cruciate ligament surgery, Libby is disappointed to be missing the start of the season, but is nevertheless enjoying life as a professional cricketer.

"I've moved back onto weights and started progressing really nicely in the gym," the 22-year-old revealed.

"I saw the surgeon a couple of weeks ago and he's really happy with how it's going, he says it's one of the best knees he's seen at this stage, so now I'm stepping it up.

"Hopefully I can start playing twos games at the back end of July, get a few runs and maybe push to get back in the first team towards the back end of the season.

"Everything's on track, it's just a bit frustrating and dull at the moment. I'm keeping up the rehab to make it as strong as possible for when I do return.

"I just want to get back out on the pitch and give myself the best chance to stay out there and perform well."

Although Libby's Southern Hemisphere adventure was ultimately cut-short by injury, the right-hander says the trip was nevertheless a character building experience.

"It was my first trip to Australia and it was nice to play in a different environment a long way from home," he said.

"The way they play their cricket taught me a few things. It's very competitive on and off the field and they certainly let me know all about the success they've had against England.

"It was good to be involved in that climate and it's toughened me up mentally, which will be good preparation for what's to come in first-class cricket."

The rise from being a Cornish club cricketer to a county centurion came in the space of two months for Libby and it was quickly followed by a two year contract at Trent Bridge.

Libby admits his recent experiences have been life changing and - despite the injury setback - he's delighted to be on duty as a professional sportsman.

"It was a bit of a shock to the system," he recalled. "Playing club cricket two months before, I came here on trial in mid-August and would never have expected to break into the first team, or anywhere near that.

"Thing went really for me in the twos and in the club season up here. I scored a lot of runs and thankfully managed to get in for the last game.

"It went really well and surpassed all my expectations. It's life changing and all a bit of a shock, but I'm absolutely delighted.

"To be here in a brilliant stadium, with fantastic facilities, it's something you dream of."

And although Libby has mixed emotions ahead of the new season, he's particularly looking forward to batting again and to making his return during the second half of the campaign.

"It's a weird feeling because the season's getting so close, the groundstaff are preparing the pitches, but I aren't going to be taking part," he said.

"I haven't really got that excitement for the season because I won't be playing until July.

"It's mixed emotions, but I've just got to control what I can control, which is getting the knee as strong as possible.

"I'm hoping in the next 2-4 weeks to pick up some sort of bat and hopefully be really netting in the next couple of months.

"I've just got to take one step at a time; do what the physio says and do what's right for me."

 

We pride ourselves on offering the best value membership in the country, packing it full of features and pairing it with the best customer experience in the game. With Nottinghamshire looking to challenge across all formats once more, don’t miss a moment of the action and join our Club now.